If you are passionate about theology and wish to get an affordable degree on campus or online, Apex School of Theology is a school to consider.
Apex School of Theology (ASOT) is a Christian Institute in North Carolina that offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in theology and Bible/Christian-related programs.
In addition to offering affordable tuition and scholarships for students, Apex School of Theology has national accreditation.
The Pastor of Apex First Baptist church founded the school as a Christian institute in the Triangle of Research in North Carolina to offers ministry to clergy and community leaders.
Apex School of Theology offers a bachelor’s degree in theology and four master’s degrees. These Master’s degrees are in theology, Christian counseling, Bible counseling, and Christian education. In addition to these, ASOT offers a bachelor’s degree and three online master’s degrees via its Distance Education program.
Just take your time and go through this article, we have arranged every detail you need to know about Apex School of Theology.
Table of contents
About Apex School of Theology
This Christian school began in 1995 as the Apex School of Religion but not long later, it became the Apex Theological Seminary (ASOT). Pastor Dr. Joseph Perkins founded the school at the historic Apex Baptist Church, Apex, North Carolina, where he is a pastor.
However, the school grew and moved to 5104 River Road, Durham, North Carolina, in 2002. In 2016, it moved again to the heart of Research Triangle Park, 2945 South Miami Boulevard, Suite 114, Durham, NC.
Over time, Apex got accreditation from the National Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) to offer its courses on campus and online. ASOT also offers a Master of Arts in Christian Counseling and a Ph.D. degree, which you’ll require to become a Christian professional. Meanwhile, Apex is one of the few private and independent theological schools offering online courses.
Through ApexDE – ASOT’s Distance Education – you can achieve your theological degree fully online. Studying at your leisure, the program offers you some mode of flexibility. Also, with the ApexDE you’ll be able to acquire the same levels of knowledge and competencies as on-campus students.
Most of ASOT’s staff and faculty members have the school’s values in their hearts. This is because they have been with the school from the beginning. Also, these faculty members have either a master’s or terminal degree from an accredited institution. They provide quality education to the students.
On the other hand, Apex School of Theology students serve in many capacities in the faith community. Formal education in Apex allows you to sharpen your skills and/or learn new skills.
What You Should Know
In addition to the brief overview, you should also know the following before reading further:
- Apex School of Theology is a Private, Not-for-Profit Educational Institution
- Like other institutions that offer university degrees, it takes four (4) years to complete a Bachelor’s program at ASOT.
- The school’s campus is located in the city scenes of Durham, North Carolina.
- Also, the college operates on a rolling admission basis, which means that it accepts applications at any time of the year.
- Furthermore, 69 percent of Apex School of Theology’s students are in-state.
Apex School of Theology Programs
Being a theology school, ASOT doesn’t offer so many programs. It offers eight (8) programs. You can take some of these programs online and on campus.
The programs that the Apex School of Theology offers both on-campus and online include:
- Associate Degree in Christian Education
- Bachelor of Theology
- Master of Christian Education
- Christian Counseling (Master of Art)
- Master of Divinity, and
- Doctor of Ministry Degrees.
There are also, Masters of Art in Biblical Counseling and Continuing Education in addition to these. ASOT began it’s Doctor of Ministry Program in January 2008, after gaining approval. Therefore, you can confidently study this program to enhance your Christian ministry skills as a practicing clergy-person.
Apex School of Theology Accreditation
We can’t stop stating that checking a school’s accreditation status is necessary before applying for admission. College accreditation points towards the quality of education a school offers. Also, in the long run, it affects your employability.
In this light, Apex School of Theology, Durham, North Carolina has accreditation by the National Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). The US Department of Education (USDE) and the Higher Education Accreditation Board (CHEA) recognizes TRACS. Even the Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) recognizes TRACS.
Apex School of Theology Admission
Apex may not boast of international students but its students come from a number of denominations in the religious community. They serve small, medium, and large churches as priests, Christian teachers, teachers, pastors, and nursing home servants. Many of them are bright and brilliant adults who can use the training they receive from Apex to increase the kingdom of God on earth.
Apex has over 900 students of which over 500 are Undergraduates. However, with a total of 41 faculties, the school has a Student-Faculty ratio of 17:1.
Also, the school has a race/ethnic distribution of 1.89% Hispanic/Latino students, 94.52% Black or African American, and 3.59% White and Caucasian students.
Additionally, there are more females than males in the ASOT main campus, and getting admission to the college is moderately difficult.
Thus, to get admission into Apex School of Theology, you need to meet the following requirements:
- Apply for the university
- Pay up the application fee of $25 for the Undergraduate Program – ACE & BTH
- Settle the application fee of $35 for Graduate Program – MDIV, MCE, and MACC
- Pay up the application fee of $50 for the Doctor of Ministry Program
- Submit two letters of Reference
- Tender a written Spiritual Autobiography
- Submit High School Transcript or college transcript if applicable, and
- Complete the health form by your physician.
See also: 21 Best Christian Colleges in Georgia.
You should note, however, that applications can be submitted from the school’s website. Also, you should complete all the paperwork at least two weeks before the start of the new session. However, because the school’s programs are highly interesting, it may have to apply quickly.
Furthermore, upon receipt of your application, the Admissions Committee will review your application.
Apex School of Theology Acceptance Rate
Apex School of Theology has an acceptance rate of 82%, which is a big encouragement to apply. Out of 362 students that applied in the last academic session, the school accepted 300 students.
Apex School of Theology Tuition
This Christian college in the US keeps its tuition affordable for those who wish to receive a Christian-based education from an accredited school. The reason for this, however, is that the school believes they have benefited immensely from the faith community. Therefore, charging low tuition is the school’s way of giving back something to the community.
Below is the Apex School of Theology tuition for all levels of study:
- Associates & Bachelor’s Degrees – $600 per class | $200 per credit hour
- Masters Degrees – $700 per class | $233.33 per credit hour
- Doctor of Ministry – $4,300 per year
However, this Apex School of Theology tuition is an estimate to guide you on budgeting for your study at ASOT.
Meanwhile, the Doctor of Ministry Program costs $12,900 and includes the following costs:
- $400 Graduation Fee
- $50 Application Fee, and
- $1000 Continuation Fee per Semester, which you pay each semester for writing an extension.
Also, the Apex School of Theology tuition for the Continuing Education Certificate Program (C.E.U) is $75 per course. However, Continuing Education Certificates have a total of 20 C.E.U. Units. Also, the C.E.U tuition cost includes books, materials, and handling.
Apex School of Theology Scholarships
Not only does the Apex School of Theology offer low tuition, but they also have a Financial Aid Office. The role of this office at ASOT is to make quality Christian education affordable to every student.
You may also be interested in our 27 Full Christian Scholarships | Updated
In addition to Pell federal grants, federal loans, and veterans’ educational benefits, there are also presidential scholarships and interest-free payment plans for qualified students.
ASOT Presidential Scholarship
The Apex School of Theology’s Presidential Scholarships is available for students attending main campus classes beginning Fall 2024. However, for eligibility and other details, you’ll have to contact Dr. Reginald High via the email: rhigh@apexsot.edu
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Asides from the Presidential scholarship at Apex School of Theology, the FAFSA is the next and major financial aid package in ASOT. The school participates in the FAFSA to make aid available to Associate, Bachelor, Master, or Doctorate Degree students.
The US Department of Education administers this aid and student with financial needs should visit the FAFSA site to complete the online application.
While applying, you’ll see a section requesting the entry of a six-digit federal school code for your preferred school. Ensure to enter the Apex School of Theology’s code – 035134.
After completing the filling of FAFSA, you’ll receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). You’ll have to review the information you receive to ensure that your submitted information is complete and accurate.
The Department of Education randomly selects students’ verification process. When FAFSA selects you for verification, ensure to provide to your school (ASOT) all the required documents.
You will not receive a financial aid award unless FAFSA receives all required documents.
Once you successfully complete the financial aid process, you’ll receive financial aid based on your eligibility established by completing the FAFSA.
However, note that the receipt of financial aid is not automatic. You’ll have to apply for financial aid each year and supply all the required information so that FAFSA will determine your eligibility.
You can also compare Christian schools in North Carolina to one in Kansas. See Kansas Christian College: Tuition Fee, Admission, Scholarships, and Cost of Living.
Completing Financial Aid with Virtual Financial Aid Office (VFAO)
The VFAO is ASOT’s online service that provides an easy method of applying for specific types of federal student aid. The advantage of using the Virtual Financial Aid Office is that it provides one location for various aids.
You can log in to the Virtual Financial Aid Office using the link below:
To successfully use the VFAO platform, follow these steps:
First Step: Complete your FAFSA following the link below. Don’t fail to input the school’s code in your application. The code is 035134.
Second Step: Complete your financial aid interview. To do this, create a Virtual Financial Aid Office (VFAO) account and log in. You can get the link to VFAO above.
Third Step: Communicate with ASOT’s Virtual Financial Aid Office for any requested requirements.
Fourth Step: You’ll receive an email from VFAO once you complete steps 1-3. The email will require you to log back into the VFAO and review your award letter.
Fifth Step: Complete your Master Promissory Note (MPN) if your Financial Aid package includes Federal Student Loans. You’ll also need to complete your Entrance Counseling by for the loan by clicking the link below.
Apex School of Theology Lawsuit
In 2014, four students from the Apex School of Theology challenged the school for “misrepresentation, disguise, unfair, and misleading business practices in relation to the current and implied state of its accreditation.”
Apex School of Theology has only TRACS accreditation which is not equivalent to the regional accreditation that is required for professional license status.
The students complained that they tried to apply for licenses for professional counselors and marriage and family therapists and were denied. They claimed that the Apex School of Theology and its president, Joseph E. Perkins, concealed, suppressed, and blocked the information about “the lack of proper accreditation of Apex.”
The Lead plaintiff, DeWayne Broadney, sued ASOT for the unfair and deceptive business practices it engaged in during the marketing, distribution, delivery, and sale of its MACC Program education product to them and to other consumers in North Carolina, and throughout the United States.
They charged the school to pay for taking all their thousands of dollars in tuition while concealing their educational and licensing status.
In Conclusion
It is still clear that the Apex School of Theology still has no regional accreditation. It is not advisable to apply for a program with the hope of getting a license. However, this does not change the fact that ASOT breeds pastors with good Christian Education. If you are burning for Christian ministration, regardless of your Christian denomination, you should try ASOT. With affordable tuition, an acceptance rate of 82%, and the option to get a theology degree fully online, Apex School of Theology is a competent theology school.
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