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Sask. Bible college authorized to grant degrees

Apr 24, 2013 | 11:29 AM

Saskatchewan students can now earn a degree at Bible College.

“We were privileged enough to be the first one to be trusted with this opportunity,” said Dwayne Uglem, president of Briercrest College and Seminary near Moose Jaw.

The province passed the Degree Authorization Act last fall, making colleges able to apply to have their programs approved.

The newly created Saskatchewan Higher Education Quality Assurance Board uses national standards to determine what characteristics are needed in a bachelor degree. The team examines areas like breadth of study and faculty qualifications.

Briercrest was able to show what they offer matches the criteria.

“Our faculty is going to give a particular nuance to the presentation of the degree that's based on their own research, interests and background,” said Uglem.

Premier Brad Wall made the announcement April 9, 2013.

“We are pleased to recognize that by authorizing the college to provide a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, this is the first time this has been done outside the province’s two universities,” said the premier in a news release.

Uglem said they will apply to have degrees in English and history approved in the future.

He said the college is not expecting a spike in enrollment when the change takes effect this July, but added students are pleased they can access further education more easily.

“Their studies at Briercrest would be able to be transferred or recognized as they go on to do masters work or further undergraduate work at another institution,” Uglem explained.

He said Briercrest has been talking with various ministers for nearly a decade about implementing a mechanism like this.

British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario have legislated similar approval processes for granting colleges the ability to grant degrees.

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