Admissions Information

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Philadelphia Biblical University welcomes applications for admission from academically qualified students who have a clear testimony of faith in Jesus Christ. The application may be completed and submitted online, and the application materials are also available for viewing and downloading online at www.pbu.edu Application forms may also be requested from the Academic Communications office.

Admissions Decisions

Admissions personnel consider the applicant’s Christian experience, commitment and character. High school and college grade point averages, standardized test scores, and extra-curricular activities contribute to the decision-making process.

Christian Commitment

Since the stated purpose of Philadelphia Biblical University is to prepare leaders for the Christian church and related ministries, it is important that the values of the applicant be in harmony with those of the University. To determine whether the applicant can benefit from the programs and environment of the University, the following three areas are reviewed:

Conversion

It is expected that students at the University have professed faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior. Applicants are asked to submit a statement concerning their personal faith.

Lifestyle

To be comfortable in the University environment, the applicant’s lifestyle should reflect Christian principles. To assist in the evaluation of the applicants qualification in this respect a confidential character reference from a pastor or Christian leader is required. Applicants must also submit a concise statement describing their family background, Christian walk, and vocational goals.

Beliefs

Since a major segment of the University curriculum is devoted to the study of Bible content and doctrine, it is important that the applicant understand the theological perspective of the University. Every applicant receives a copy of the University’s doctrinal statement and an explanation of the University’s position concerning some contemporary issues. For the sake of mutual understanding, applicants are given the opportunity to comment on their agreement/disagreement with the doctrinal statement. Acceptance, however, is not conditional upon agreement.

Academic Ability

The ability to perform successfully in the University’s academic environment is judged by the student’s previous educational experience and test scores.

TOEFL Test

Applicants for whom English is not their first language and who demonstrate deficiencies in English must take the TOEFL examination administered by the College Entrance Examination Board or the SAT. This includes both those who enter the United States on an F-1 student visa and those who have immigrated to the States.

Experience

Many applicants who come to college directly from high school have little employment experience. In such cases the applicant’s involvement in extra-curricular high school activities and in church and community programs is considered in the admissions decision.

Other applicants have accumulated years of experience in the business world or in Christian ministry, which becomes a significant factor in the admissions decision.

Transfer Applicants

Transfer applicants from an accredited college, university or Bible institute receive full and equitable transfer credit unconditionally for subjects appropriate to the curricula of the four- or five-year programs. Certain Bible and doctrine courses are required in residence. The amount of transfer credit is determined upon receipt of the official transcript(s) of completed work. It is sometimes necessary to provide catalog or course descriptions from the former college. College work currently in progress cannot be finally evaluated until official documents are received. In all cases, the grade earned must be “C” (2.0) or above for transfer credit. Some provisional credit may be granted from unaccredited colleges or universities. When the student has completed two semesters of work at PBU with a GPA of 2.0 or above, provisional transfer credit will be fully accepted.

Applicants Who Are College Graduates

In the case of applicants who have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, appropriate credit from the first degree is transferable toward a second bachelor’s degree from PBU; however, a minimum of 60 PBU credits is generally required for a PBU undergraduate degree. In most cases it is to the applicant’s advantage to elect the two-year Bible Ministries program and receive block credit, or to enter a Graduate program. Applicants with bachelor’s degrees are exempt from the admissions test requirements in the undergraduate programs. Applicants with an earned bachelor’s degree are not eligible for federal or state grants. Student loans are obtainable based on the student’s academic classification.

Non-Matriculant Status

Occasionally applicants who do not meet the admissions criteria may be granted non-matriculant status. In addition, persons who want to take select courses but do not intend to complete a degree or certificate program may also request non-matriculant status. Non-matriculant students are not required to complete the secondary admissions forms, nor the admissions test requirements. Non-matriculating students may be reconsidered for matriculation at a later date. To change their status, they must notify the Admissions Department and the registrar concerning their intent to graduate and complete the admissions process. Non-matriculant students are not eligible for federal or state aid, grants or loans.

Part-Time Status

Students enrolled for fewer than 12 credits in the fall and spring semesters are given part-time status and pay part-time tuition fees. Matriculating part-time students may be eligible for federal financial aid. Normally they are not permitted to live in the University dormitories. Matriculating part-time students are expected to complete all of the admissions forms and the admissions test requirements.

Applicants For Auditor Status

A limited number of persons desiring to audit courses for their own benefit are permitted to do so if classroom space permits. No credit is granted in such cases. Auditors must complete an application but are not required to complete the secondary admissions forms nor the admissions test requirements.

International Applicants

The University is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. International applicants should follow the University admissions procedure carefully, submitting their application materials well in advance of the semester of intended enrollment. International applicants are evaluated academically to determine eligibility for admission for university level study, and financially to determine whether sufficient sources of financial support exist to cover estimated yearly full-time expenses. Accepted applicants with sufficient support are eligible to receive a Form I-20, the document required for international students to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and to enter the U.S. with F-1 student status.

International applicants holding, or intending to hold, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (US CIS) statuses other than F-1 may be admitted into University programs without a financial evaluation.

For more international admissions information about all PBU programs, refer to the web address www.pbu.edu/intl or contact the PBU International Office:

International Office
Philadelphia Biblical University
200 Manor Ave. Langhorne, PA 19047-2990
United States of America
Phone: (215) 702-4241 / Toll-Free (in U.S.): (800)366-0049
Fax: (215) 702-4248
E-Mail: intl-office@pbu.edu

International applicants must have successfully completed a university preparatory course of study at a secondary school (a minimum of 12 years of primary and secondary school training comprises the equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma). Previous academic training should satisfy admissions requirements for university-level study. In addition, applicants must arrange for official certified transcripts of previous academic work to be sent to the PBU International Office. Proof of graduation from secondary school / high school is also required. Transcripts must be in English or accompanied by an English translation. Applicants from Commonwealth countries must submit certified or notarized copies of their “O” level and / or “A” level certificates (copies of unofficial result slips are not acceptable). Applicants not from Commonwealth countries should submit results from their country’s respective secondary school graduation examinations and / or university placement examinations (for example, CXC exam results, Abitur results, baccalaureate results, etc.). PBU reserves the right to notify applicants that they must have their non U.S. academic transcripts evaluated by an academic transcript evaluating agency.

English Proficiency: Studies at PBU require university-level English language proficiency in areas of listening comprehension, reading and writing. International applicants are required to take one of three standardized tests to demonstrate their level of English proficiency: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL; a minimum score of 550 on paper-based tests or a minimum score of 213 on computer-based tests is required; the PBU TOEFL school code is 2661); or the SAT I exam (a minimum composite SAT I score of 920, with a minimum verbal score of 460 is required A score of 480 verbal / 440 math is required for Teachers Education applicants. The PBU SAT school code is 2661); or the ACT exam (a minimum composite ACT score of 19, with a minimum verbal score of 19 is required; the PBU ACT school code is 3658).

For more information contact:

TOEFL / TSE Services
P. O. Box 6151
Princeton, NJ 08541 USA
E-mail: toefl@ets.org
Phone: (609) 771-7100
Fax: (609) 771-7500
Web: www.toefl.org

The College Board (SAT)
International Education
1233 20th Street NW Suite 600
Washington, D.C. 20036 USA
E-mail: internatl@collegeboard.org
Phone: (202) 822-5900
Fax: (202) 822-5234
Web: www.collegeboard.org

ACT Universal Testing
P. O. Box 4028
Iowa City, IA 52243 USA
E-mail: osus@act.org
Phone: (319) 337-1448
Fax: (319) 337-1285
Web: www.act.org

Limited TOEFL, SAT and ACT Test Waivers: Applicants who have successfully pursued postsecondary studies in the United States and some Commonwealth countries within two years of submitting an application to PBU may be granted a TOEFL, SAT, and ACT test waiver. A test waiver is effective only when confirmed by PBU. Canadian and other Commonwealth country applicants may choose to take the ACT or SAT test in place of the TOEFL.

Satisfactory Test Scores and Remedial Coursework: Accepted applicants who obtained a satisfactory TOEFL, SAT, or ACT score, but who experience language difficulties in their studies at PBU, may be required to enroll in remedial courses in order to strengthen their English language skills.

Advanced Placement

Placement testing programs that are granted college credit include College Level Examination Program (CLEP) (minimum score of 50) and the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board (minimum score of 3), the College Level General Examination of the United States Armed Forces Institute (USAFI), the College Proficiency Examination Program of the New York State Education Department, and the ACT Proficiency Examination Program (PEP). In all cases, the subject material must be appropriate to the student’s PBU curriculum. An official report of the scores must be sent directly to the University by the testing organization.

Provisional Acceptance

Applicants who transfer from an unaccredited institution, who do not meet the admissions criteria may be granted provisional acceptance. In such cases the conditions and time limitations for full acceptance will be stipulated. When these conditions are met, the provisional status will be removed. Except for extenuating circumstances, the time limitations placed on provisional acceptance will not be extended.

Credentials

All credentials submitted by the applicant become the property of the University and are kept as part of the permanent record of the student. Copies of these credentials will not be issued. When duplicates are required, they should be obtained from the original source. In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), students have access to confidential information pertaining to them. In order to allow complete openness for the individuals providing personal references, the applicant may sign a waiver foregoing this privilege in respect to these forms.

See also the Bachelor’s Degree Program, Advance Degree Completion Program, and Certificate Programs for specific Admissions information.