Frequently Asked Questions

 GENERAL QUESTIONS
 
Q.    Who can enroll in Andersonville Theological Seminary (ATS)?                                                            
            A.   Anyone who has a high school diploma or GED or above.
 
Q.    What denomination is ATS?
            A.   We are Baptist in our teachings, but we have students of all                               denominations.
 
Q.    Which Bible does ATS use?
            A.    We use the King James Version because we believe that this                            version is the inspired Word of God.
 
Q.    What can I do if I am not Baptist, but I want to learn the Word of God?
            A.     We accept any student regardless of belief, however we teach                             the KJV and ask our students to answer tests according to                              what  the professor taught and then add any personal beliefs or                         disagreements if desired.
 
Q.    Does ATS have a website that people can browse?
            A.     Yes, the web address is www.andersonvilleseminary.com
 
Q.    Does ATS have a brochure or catalog that can be mailed to prospective students?
            A.     We do have a catalog, however it is the same catalog that appears online.
 
Q.     Do we have a bookstore?
            A.     We do have a bookstore that is affiliated with the school. They can be reached
                     through our website or by phone (1-800-736-7681).
 
Q.    Are the courses at ATS online?
            A.     The courses at ATS are distance learning, but they are not online. We have
                     book courses and courses that are on MP3 CD’s.
 
Q.    Do you offer Financial Aid to students?
            A.     We do not offer financial aid, but we do offer an interest free payment plan
                     that is very affordable.
 
Q.    Is ATS accredited?
            A.     We are privately accredited through Transworld Accrediting Commission
                      out of Riverside,CA.
 
Q.    Do you plan to seek regional (governmental) accreditation?
            A.     We have considered this many times, but we have always opted to remain
                     privately accredited because of the governmental red tape and rules involved
                     in governmental accreditation.
  
Q.    How many students does ATS have enrolled?
            A.     The number varies each month, but at the present time we have approximately
                     3,500 active students and over 30,000 graduates from all over the world.
 
Q.     Does ATS have a campus?
            A.     We do not have a campus where students come to take classes—we have an office
                      complex including our chapel. However, students are more than welcome to come
                      by the school at anytime to see our institution and look around.
 
Q.     Is a student required to attend any courses or seminars on campus?
            A.    No
 
Q.     Who are the professors at ATS?
            A.   We have professors who are on-campus and adjunct professors from all over the
                     country, who have sent sample courses for us to use at ATS. We are constantly
                     striving to keep our courses updated and relevant and also add new areas of
                     study.
 
Q.     Do we ever seek professors for new courses at ATS?
            A.     We are always open to new courses that might become part of our curriculum.
                      We do have strict requirements to present a course and our Board of Directors
                      must approve the contents before it can become a part of our program.
 
Q.     How do I know if I would be eligible to teach a course at ATS?
            A.     You need to call the seminary to discuss your qualifications.
  
                                                ENROLLMENT QUESTIONS
 
Q.     How can I get started?
            A.    There are several ways to enroll: 1). Fill out an online application (evaluation)
                    2). Request a catalog and fill out the application and send it back in to ATS.  
                    3). Call and enroll over the phone.
 
Q.    If I fill out an evaluation (application) online, how do I know if you received it?
            A. We compile your information and respond to your application within 24 hours
                   (allow extra time for weekends). If you have not received a response in that
                   time period, you should call the seminary to see if there is some kind of error.
 
Q.     What do I do after I fill out the application?
            A. If you fill out the information on-line, you can call and enroll over the phone with
                  a debit or credit card, or you can send in a check or money order and let us know
                  that we have your information.
 
Q.     How much do I have to pay to get started?
            A. The minimum down payment for MOST programs is $100.00. However, some of
                  our specialty programs require larger down payments. 
 
 
Q.     Can my spouse go to ATS free?
            A.   A spouse can go free as long as they are in the same program as the husband/wife.  
                   The spouse must enroll at the same time as the husband/wife. 
 
Q.     Are there any discounts if the spouse is in a different program?
            A.   A spouse can enroll at ATS for 1/3 of the program’s total cost and must enroll at
                   the same time as the husband/wife.
 
 
                                    QUESTIONS AFTER ENROLLMENT
 
Q.        How are my courses mailed and when will they arrive?
     A.   The are sent by regular US Postal Service and should arrive within 10-14 business days. (Foreign students should add at least a week to this                 estimate)
 
Q.         How do I know which course to start with?
                  A.    That decision is entirely up to you.
 
Q.         Do I take one course at the time and send it in for a grade?
                  A.     Again, that decision is up to you. You can send one at a time or wait and send
                          all of them together.
 
Q.        How do I keep up with my progress?
                  A. ATS sends out grade reports every two weeks so that you can keep a record of your progress.  
 
Q.        Can I call and check on my grades?
                  A.   You can call, but we ask that you call only after you have waited the two weeks and have not heard anything. We have hundreds of   
                         tests that are graded daily and it slows down the process if too many people jump the gun. We know it is important, but please                                            try to be patient.
 
Q.        What is the grading scale at ATS?
                  A. Our grading scale is: (A) 90-100; (B) 80-89; (C) 70-79; (D) 60-69; (F) Below 60                                
                       We also use I for Incomplete to let you know that part of the test was  either missing or done wrong. Any grade above 60 is considered                            as passing, but a (D) is not transferable.
 
Q.        Can I retake a test?
                 A. You can retake any test once at no extra charge. There is a $50 charge for extra
                        retakes after the first. Both of the grades are averaged together.
 
Q.        How can I get help on a test?
                   A. Our staff can usually answer your questions, but if not, we have access to each of our adjunct faculty members who can help you.
 
Q.        Can I exempt courses that I have already taken?
                   A. ATS is glad to work with you—we can exempt courses in some cases, or use
                        replacement courses.  This will require a transcript from previous schools.
            
Q.        If I am not doing my courses, do I still have to pay?
                     A. Yes, you must make a payment each month regardless of whether you are
                            doing coursework.
 
Q.        Is there a time limit on my coursework?
        A. In most of our programs, there is no time limit on how long it takes you to do
             your courses. The only programs that have time limits are in the Christian
             Counseling department.
 
Q.        How will I know what I made on a test?
                    A. The grade department sends out grade reports every two weeks, so please
                           try to allow that much time before calling to check on a grade.
 
Q.        What can I do if I want to change my program of study?
                     A.   You will need to fill out a Change of Program form that is on our web site.
                            The change will cost $100 in order to reship new courses. You will need to
                            send the form in to us so that we can attach it to your file.
 
 
 
QUESTIONS FOR CURRENT AND FORMER STUDENTS
 
Q.        Does ATS have to have my transcript from previous schools before I can get started?
                   A. No, we enroll students based on an honor system of the information that we
                        receive. However, we must have a copy on file before we can issue a degree.
 
Q.        As a former student, how do I keep up with my progress?
                    A. When you enroll, we send out a list of your courses for record-keeping purposes
                           We ask that you PLEASE keep up with your current status on this sheet and
                           avoid having to call and check on your status. 
 
Q.        After enrollment, how do I know when my payment is due?
                     A. All payments are due by the 10th of the month. We do send out statements the
                           first of each month to remind you. 
 
Q.        What kind of diploma (degree) will I receive?
                    A. Our degrees are printed by Josten’s, which is one of the largest graduation
                         businesses in the country.
 
Q.        How do I know when my degree will be ordered?
                     A. When you have finished all of your courses and received passing grades and
                          when your financial obligations are met, you will receive a letter from us
                          telling you how to order your degree. The degree itself is $100.
 
Q.       How often does ATS order degrees?
                      A. We order degrees on the 10th of each month. It takes about 6-8 weeks to get
                          them back into our office and then we mail them directly to the student.
 
GRADUATION CEREMONY
  
Q.       How often does ATS have a graduation ceremony?
                      A.    We have one graduation ceremony per year. It is held in May and is the  
                              Friday before Memorial Day. The site is the Albany Municipal Auditorium
                              in Albany, GA.
 
Q.       Who can attend the graduation ceremony?
                       A.    Anyone who has received a degree from ATS and has never attended
                               a ceremony for that degree. 
 
Q.       Can a person attend more than one graduation?
                        A. Absolutely! As long as you have completed a degree and have not been
                              to a previous ceremony for that degree. You can attend every time you
                              receive a new degree. You can also attend as a guest at every ceremony.
 
Q.       How many people can I bring with me to graduation?
                        A.   There is no limit. The auditorium holds close to 1,000 people.
 
Q.       When will I receive an information packet concerning graduation?
                        A. ATS begins sending out information for graduation each January for the
                              year of graduation. Students who are interested can begin calling to have an
                              information packet sent to them at this time.
 
Q.       Where and when can I order my graduation regalia?
                        A. ATS will send you your cap and gown ordering information in the packets
                             that we send out beginning in January.
 
Q.       At what point can I order a ring to identify my accomplishments?
                        A. As soon as your diploma has been received, you can order a class ring from
                              Josten’s, who handles our diplomas and rings. You can call them directly at
                              229-435-1809 or call the seminary for more information.
 
Q.        Is there a fee to attend graduation?
                        A.   Yes, the fee is usually $100 (this could change based on the economy). This
                                helps the seminary with staging such a large event. This fee is separate
                                from the $100 degree(diploma) fee.