ACADEMIC CALENDAR 

At the Bible College of Malaysia, the academic year consists of three 13-week trimesters.  The college year begins in January and ends early December.

TRANSFER OF CREDITS

Students desiring to transfer credits from another college to BCM are required to submit an official transcript along with a copy of the college catalog. Credit may be granted for work done on an equivalent level. BCM reserves the right to accept or reject work done at another college.

ENROLLMENT STATUS

BCM offers both full-time and non-full time (part-time) study pathways. Enrollment status is determined by the number of credits obtained per trimester and involvement in extracurricular activities. 

Full-time Students: students are those who take a minimum of 9 credits* per trimester and are required to participate in extracurricular activities.

Non Full-time Students: students who enroll in accordance with their capacity to cope (as many courses as they can manage) and are expected to have their extra-curriculum training in their own churches.

*Each credit represents a total of 40 learning hours.

GRADING SYSTEM

Audit

To audit a course or to request for a change of course status from credit to audit, approval must be given by the Academic Dean. Failing to inform the Dean of any change from credit to audit will result in a failure grade. Students are not allowed to change a course from audit to credit.

Course Withdrawal

If a student withdraws from a course before the 6th period of classes, no permanent record is kept. However, if a student withdraws after the 6th class period, a permanent grade of “Withdrawal,” “Withdrawal Fail,” or “Fail” will be recorded depending on the reasons of withdrawal and no academic credit will be given.

Incomplete Course Work

Incomplete course work must be completed at the latest before the beginning of the next new trimester. Failure to complete all course requirements may result in a failing grade for the entire course.

Class Attendance

Students are expected to attend all classes. Students leaving the class early without the permission of the instructor will be counted as absent. Three incidents of tardiness equal one absence. 

The maximum number of absences allowed are as follows:-

• 2 credit hour course – 3 hours of classes
• 3 credit hour course – 2 days/nights of classes (6 hours)
• One-week intensive course – 1 day of class

Once the maximum allowed absences in a course is reached, the student can no longer take the course for credit. In exceptional cases, the student may appeal to the Administrative Committee for a policy waiver.

ACADEMIC STANDING

Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress in their program of study. They may be relegated to a lower program if they fail to maintain the required grade point average (GPA) of 1.0 for certificate programs, 2.0 for diploma programs and a GPA of 2.5 for the Bachelor and Master programs.

PLAGIARISM & USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

In the case of plagiarism, the disciplinary procedure will be as follows:

• 1^st time  – Student must redo their paper. A written warning will be given and a grade penalty will be imposed on the paper.
• 2^nd time – Student will be given a Fail grade (be it on the same course or on a different course).
• 3^rd time – Student will be suspended for one term of studies.

Any use of AI resources such as ChatGPT for your assignments is strictly prohibited and will automatically result in a fail grade for the assignment without opportunity to resubmit.

ACADEMIC PROBATION

Students whose grade point average falls below the minimum standard required for their program of study may be placed on academic probation. A student on academic probation for two consecutive trimesters and still does not show satisfactory improvement in academic performance may face termination of student status.

CHANGE IN ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Students who wish to request for a change in their program of studies must write in and submit their request together with a letter of endorsement from the sending church.

CONTINUING STUDENTS

Full-time students are required to contribute a fixed amount if they wish to halt their studies temporarily but want to remain in the program. If a student discontinues his studies for a consecutive period of two years, his student status will be terminated. A fresh application must be made to reactivate student status.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Satisfactory completion of any admission deficiencies as determined by the Academic Dean.
2. Maintenance of a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 1.0 for certificate programs, 2.0 for diploma programs and 2.5 for the Bachelor and Masters programs except for Master of Divinity which requires a GPA of 3.0.
3. Graduation Committee approval of Christian character and conduct.
4. Attendance at the graduation ceremony (unless special permission for absence has been obtained from the Graduation Committee).
5. Fulfill all obligations as stated in the Graduation Clearance Form.

GUIDELINES FOR NON FULL-TIME STUDENTS

GUIDELINES FOR MINISTERIAL COUNSELING STUDENTS 

MATURE STUDENTS POLICY 

Our Mature Students Policy offers a unique pathway for lay leaders or full-time ministers who have been serving in ministry for many years and wish to pursue further academic qualifications. 

If you have been serving in ministry for at least 10 years, you may apply for admission into the following programs under the Mature Students Policy.

MASTER OF MINISTRY/MASTER OF BIBLICAL STUDIES/MASTER OF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

1. Age 35 and above
2. Possess a Diploma of Theology
3. 10 years of ministry experience

A minimum of 42 credits of study with BCM is required for the completion of the program.

MASTER OF MINISTERIAL COUNSELING 

1. Students above 35 years old.
2. Possess Advanced Diploma of Ministerial Counseling.
3. 10 years of active church ministry
4. Additional 5 modules from any category

BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY

Category A

1. Age 35 and above.
2. Have at least 10 years of experience in Christian leadership positions

A minimum of 108 credits of study with BCM is required for the completion of the program.

Category B

1. Age 35 and above.
2. Possess a Diploma of Theology.
3. Have at least 10 years of experience in ministry

A minimum of 21 credits of study at the BTh level with BCM is required for the completion of the program.

DIPLOMA OF THEOLOGY

1. Age 35 and above.
2. Have at least 10 years of experience in Christian leadership positions

A minimum of 63 credits of study with BCM is required for the completion of the program.

Note: Credits from BCM night classes and other BCM recognised institutions may be transferred for up to one third of the total credits required under the Mature Students Policy. For more information and the full terms and conditions, please contact our Registrar’s Office.