Online Learning
Deepen your biblical foundation at any time of day, from anywhere in the world.
Online Courses
Columbia Bible College offers a selection of online courses so you can keep learning even when you’re juggling other life commitments. You might be a busy parent, a full-time employee, or living on the other side of the country. No matter what time zone or life stage you’re in, online courses fit into your schedule.
Online course are a great way to augment your current or previous studies. They also give you the chance to explore a subject as you decide whether further education’s right for you. All our online courses earn you academic credits with the potential for transfer into our many degree and diploma programs.
Earn a Certificate in Christian Studies - Online
Deepen Your Faith & Expand Your Knowledge
What if you’re not able to join us on campus? Columbia is introducing the Online Certificate in Christian Studies – a 30-credit program that is 100% online. This is a great opportunity if you’ve always wanted to invest focused time in getting to know the Scriptures – especially if you’re someone who learns best with structure, due dates, and coaching. If you’re considering attending Columbia on campus in the future but need to be elsewhere for the time being, the Online Certificate allows you to complete your first year from home.
Current Online Course Offerings
ON-RELS 101
Old Testament Survey
This course provides general introduction to the contents of the Old Testament including some background exploration of geography, social/religious culture, literary conventions and key issues…
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The focus however, is on the overall story, with its theological purpose. In addition students will gain a basic understanding of the majority of books that make up the Old Testament canon. The ultimate goals is for students to gain familiarity with the Old Testament so that it can be applied to contemporary life.
3.0 credits
ON-RELS 102
New Testament Survey
This course provides a general introduction to the contents of the New Testament including some background exploration of geography, social/religious culture, literary conventions, and key issues…
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Students will gain a basic understanding of the majority of books that make up the New Testament. The ultimate goal is for students to gain familiarity with the New Testament so that it can be applied to contemporary life.
3.0 credits
ON-RELS 121
Genesis
This course develops an understanding and application of the book of Genesis in light of its historical, literary, and cultural context…
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The course focuses on a literary reading of the narrative with the goal of understanding the emphasis of the larger text and on application to the present.
3.0 credits
ON-RELS 157/257
James, Peter, and Jude
This course studies the books of James, Peter, and Jude in light of their historical, literary, and cultural background…
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The course helps students gain an understanding of how to exegete the genre of NT letter or epistle especially in light of determining how the themes in the letters speak to contemporary issues.
3.0 credits
ON-RELS160
Introduction to Christian Theology
This course explores the nature and method of theological study and engages with key issues…
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The course focuses on a survey of Christian teachings—primarily in the evangelical tradition—relating to God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, scripture, salvation, the gospel, humanity, ethics, creation, the church, and the future, in order to help the student understand and articulate their faith within the diverse theological streams of the Christian church.
3.0 credits
ON-RELS 211
Biblical Hermeneutics
This course introduces the science and art of biblical interpretation known under the more formal title Hermeneutics. The course assists students through the steps in the exegetical process exploring issues such as…
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historical/cultural background, grammar, and literary features/genre in order to better understand the message of the text to its first readers and ultimately how this message can speak cross-culturally to contemporary readers.
3.0 credits
Prerequisites: RELS 101 Old Testament Survey & RELS 102 New Testament Survey
ON-RELS 245
Life of Jesus
This course explores the life of Jesus within the world of first-century Judaism…
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Using the Gospels as the primary source, particular attention is given to the main events of Jesus’ life and the ministry of Jesus in word and deed. The course aims to understand the considerable impact Jesus made upon all who encountered him and what this means for all who follow him today.
3.0 credits
Prerequisites: RELS 101 Old Testament Survey & RELS 102 New Testament Survey, 3 hours of 100-level Bible elective
ON-RELS 247
Romans
This course studies the book of Romans in light of its historical, literary, and cultural background…
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The course helps students gain an understanding of how to exegete the genre of NT letter or epistle especially in light of determining how the themes in this letter speak to contemporary issues.
3.0 credits
Prerequisites: RELS 101 Old Testament Survey & RELS 102 New Testament Survey, 3 hours of 100-level Bible elective
ON-RELS 262
Apologetics
This course explores the field of Christian apologetics and develops a basic level of proficiency in its application….
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Historical, philosophical and cultural perspectives will be employed to respond to positions that refute Christian beliefs. Students develop and practice critical thinking skills and grow in their ability to express logically valid arguments both orally and in writing.
3.0 credits
Offerings vary. Please contact Academics for next offering of this course.
Offered through Apologetics Canada online course; taught by Andy Steiger.
ON-ANTH 232
World Religions
This course provides a comprehensive survey of five major world religions, each vastly different in its concerns, tenets and objectives…
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Understanding belief paradigms requires knowledge of the facts of religious history, beliefs and practices. In addition, this course will help students compare and contrast ideologies, identify current sources of religious tension, and sensitively build bridges with members of different faiths with the goal of impacting the world as peacemakers.
3.0 credits
ON-ENGL 099
Writing for College
This course provides the necessary English prerequisites needed for entry-level college writing and comprehension. …
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This course reviews the basic skills of English grammar and mechanics, reading comprehension, academic writing, and academic research necessary for success in college or university coursse.
Non-degree credit
ON-ICST 111
The Mission of God’s People
This course explores what it means for the church to participate in the mission of God.
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The primary objective of the course is to consider what the Bible as a whole has to tell us about why the people of God exist and what it is they are supposed to be and do in the world. The course seeks to read the Bible through a missional lens in order to comprehend God’s overarching plan, from creation to new creation.
3.0 credits
ON-PHIL 231
Ethical Reasoning
This course investigates and creates theories about the nature of right and wrong, duty, obligation, freedom, virtue, and similar issues facing humanity…
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The course examines both Moral Philosophy and Christian Ethics as part of the investigation. The course applies some of the historical and contemporary moral theories to current ethical issues our society and churches and facing.
3.0 credits
Prerequisite: RELS 160 Intro to Christian Theology
ON-ENGL 105
Academic Writing
This course explores the conventions of reading, writing, and research expected at a college-level…
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The course develops competence in critical reading and writing by analyzing the context, content, and form of compositions; by conducting and documenting academic research; and by writing a variety of academic compositions.
3.0 credits
ON-GREE 201
New Testament Greek I
This course introduces the basic features of New Testament Greek, including morphology, syntax, grammar, vocabulary…
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(words occurring 50 times or more in the GNT) and oral reading. The result is the ability to read and translate simple sentences of the Greek New Testament with the aid of a Greek Lexicon.
3.0 credits
Prerequisite: 30 hours of college credit
ON-GREE 202
New Testament Greek II
This course is a continuation of GREE 201 New Testament Greek I…
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The course completes the study of elementary grammar, morphology and syntax. It develops further vocabulary skills (words occurring 30 times or more in the GNT) and focuses attention on effective and accurate translation of extended passages of the Greek New Testament. The result is the ability to read longer portions of text with the aid of a Greek Lexicon.
3.0 credits
Prerequisite: GREE 201 New Testament Greek I
ON-HEBR 201
Classical Hebrew I
This course introduces the grammar and vocabulary of Old Testament Hebrew in order to read the Hebrew scriptures…
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This course introduces the grammar and vocabulary of Old Testament Hebrew in order to read the Hebrew scriptures.
3.0 credits
Prerequisite: 30 hours of college credit
Online Studies - FAQ
Tell me about online course timing. Can I start anytime? Can I study at my own pace?
Our online courses are offered within the same semester time-frame as the College: Fall (September-December), Winter (January-April), and Summer (May-August.) Each course needs to be completed within its 13-week timeframe.
Columbia’s online courses don’t have set-times for lectures, so you are free to access the course material according to your own schedule. That said, you will have weekly readings, quizzes, and due dates for your assignments, so you will need to keep up with your work as with any other college course. Expect to spend an average of 8-10 hours per week per 3-credit course.
Are there any special policies that apply to online courses?
Not usually! All standard academic policies (grading scales, course refunds, etc.) apply to online courses unless the online course syllabus states otherwise.
How do I apply for the Online Certificate in Christian Studies?
To apply for this program, you need to complete the standard Columbia Bible College application form. Choose ‘Full-time/Part-time’ (not ‘Online Studies), and then select ‘Certificate’ and ‘Online Certificate – Christian Studies.
May I live in residence if I am taking courses online?
If you are a full-time student enrolled in on-campus classes and taking one online class, you’re eligible to live in residence. If you’re a student in the Online Certificate in Christian studies, you’re expected to live off-campus.
I'm already a Columbia student. Am I able to take online courses?
Yes! Students are welcome to complete up to 18 online credits towards their degree, 9 online credits towards a diploma program, or 3 online credits towards a certificate program.
If you’re a part-time student (fewer than 12 credits per semester), you may take online courses in Fall, Winter, or Summer semesters.
If you’re a full-time student, you may take an online course in the Summer semester to accelerate or catch up in your program. If you have an unresolvable course scheduling conflict, you may also take an online course in the Fall/Winter semesters.
Keep in mind if you’re using a student loan to pay for your tuition, you are not eligible to take online classes at Columbia during the regular academic year (September-April). Please contact our Financial Aid Advisor if you have any related questions.
I'm brand-new to Columbia. Am I able to take online courses?
Definitely. You can apply for the Online Certificate in Christian Studies, or you can apply to Columbia as a ‘Online Studies Student’ if you want to take one to three courses, total. You are are able to take up to 9 credit hours of classes, and after that, you will need to apply to a specific program of study. Keep in mind that if you enroll in a certificate program after taking 9 credits online, you will only be able to apply 3 credits towards your certificate’s graduation requirements. This is because we emphasize discipleship in the context of everyday interactions within community, which is missing in the online learning experience.
What are tuition fees for online courses?
The same tuition rates apply to both our online and on-campus courses. The most up-to-date tuition fees are found here.
How do I access my online courses?
After you apply and register as an online studies student, your Columbia supervising instructor will send you an orientation email that will set you up with your online course. This email will also establish the official start and end dates for your course, along with specific due dates for your course work.
How do I order my textbooks?
Most of our online courses include access to an online textbook, so you won’t need to buy a separate textbook unless you’d like a hard copy for your home library. You will also receive access to Columbia’s online database of e-books and periodicals to help you with assignments.
