Online Learning Experience

Vanguard College Online is fully accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). The Government of Alberta has granted the College the privilege of granting degrees in divinity. As an accredited ABHE College, you can transfer all relevant courses to and from another ABHE accredited college. The government's regulation permits online students to access student loans.

Nearly all credible Bible colleges and universities in North America seek accreditation from the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). This sought-after accreditation ensures that programs and courses meet the stringent guidelines set by ABHE. ABHE has to be satisfied that our courses, programs, and instructors meet or exceed the quality of other members of ABHE. All relevant courses completed through Vanguard College Online are fully transferable to other ABHE schools.

Vanguard College is part of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada and our degree and diploma graduates meet the requirements for ministerial credentials after completing their programs. In addition, other denominations (ie. Alliance, PAONL, and others) recognize almost all of our courses and may require their ministers to take just a few additional denomination-related courses.

Related courses from accredited Bible colleges and secular colleges and universities may qualify for transfer credits. In addition, credits may be awarded for related life and ministry experiences. Upon completion, students have the opportunity to study with any ATS or ABHE Graduate School or Seminary.

Students may contact the Registrar to inquire.

Vanguard College has several scholarships and awards which online students can access. In addition, all our certificate, diploma and degree programs qualify for student financing. Online students applying for the first time that enroll in full-time studies are eligible for Entering Student Scholarships. Returning students will be notified by the Vanguard Online Director if they qualify for a Returning Student Scholarship.

For information on Entering Student Scholarships click this link: Scholarships & Bursaries

Our online programs enjoy some of the highest successful completion rates in the distance learning field. On average, 91.2% of all courses were completed successfully.

Students who serve in their home community are often hired even before their studies are completed.

Vanguard Online has a team of adjunct professors who are available to students 1-on-1. Students do not study in isolation but have the support from their professors and the College. Each course has its own professor who is qualified in their areas with several of them currently serving in pastoral roles. This blend of academics and practice help ensure our instructors know their students and interact with them in a caring and compassionate way.

You can start on the 15th of any month. Your first course will be an Orientation to Vanguard Online, and then you will start your regular courses. You must pass the Orientation course with a grade of 60% to continue. Please note that in order to allow processing time, you usually need to be registered for a course by the 8th of the month in order to start on the 15th. The Orientation course is not covered by student loans.

*To facilitate better alignment with the start of terms on-campus, Vanguard Online will move to a trimester system starting September 2025. Start dates will match on-campus dates (September, January, May) and align better for Student Finance funding cycles.

If you do not wish to study full-time you are advised to take one course at a time through Open Studies.

If you decide to start with open studies, you have the option to complete up to five courses before you will be asked to register in a certificate, diploma or degree.

Please Note: Online students are required to take an Orientation to Online Learning course before starting their online studies.

An online course has a different "feel" than a traditional college course. A typical in-person college course requires you to read multiple textbooks, write papers, and complete a number of examinations before receiving course credit.

Vanguard Online utilizes an experiential learning model, and you can expect a mixture of learning content and relevant experiential learning to understand real-life application of course material. This progressive learning model builds upon previous learning with skill-based activities. You can expected an average workload of 6-10 hours/week.

No. Vanguard Online courses are designed so that the student can work independently and not need to wait on a group to complete projects.

Student can complete course work whenever makes sense in their schedule. Some courses have pre-recorded audio and video resources that can be viewed at any time, so that students don't always need to take part in a live session to move forward in a course.

Practical learning opportunities within a local church or para-church organization are an essential part of the online curriculum, and are part of your learning every semester.

Practicum courses include an evaluative/educational learning component alongside 4-6 hours/week of required volunteer work each semester. 

No. Whether students have a Mac, PC, or Tablet, anything will work as long as it has a word processor and can connect to an internet browser. We ask that students upload their assignments in MS Word Format. Vanguard also uses a learning management platform called Populi for managing course material and communication, which can be accessed via an internet browser or as an app on Google Play or the Apple App Store.