FAQ

Students who undergo seminary education have a wide range of vocational opportunities to explore, such as serving in local churches, creating a positive impact within communities, or incorporating their faith into various professional domains.

See our article “What Can I Do With a Seminary Degree?” to discover more!

Visit our Next Steps page to get started on your application.

For any questions during your application process, you can contact the school at 361-991-9403  |  956-340-4859  |  contact@stark.edu.

Stark’s programs are designed to help students better serve their church and community. See our Academics Page for a list of programs.

Many students start with the Certificate in Ministry, as this program is designed to help lay leaders and those who are new/returning to higher education. This program gives tools to grow in your foundational knowledge of Scripture as well as prepare you for greater responsibility in ministry.

The Certificate courses work toward both the Diploma and Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Programs. Some of the courses also serve as prerequisites for our Graduate Degrees.

As appropriate, first year college students will need to provide proof of a high school diploma or GED.

Applicants who are not high school graduates may be admitted by individual approval. Students must complete the GED certification process within one year of enrollment in order to continue in the program of study.

Graduate-level applicants must have an Earned Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited institution.

In order to obtain a ministry license or ordination, individuals are typically required to seek license/ordination from their respective church. Many churches require that those seeking ministry license or ordination enroll in Bible courses. Additionally, it is common for church ministry roles to require individuals to complete a biblical degree from an accredited college or university.

Yes! If a student is transferring from a college or university accredited by a regional accreditation association, then his/her work will be generally accepted if work is equivalent to the course work offered at Stark and satisfactory grades have been earned. Final acceptance of transfer work is subject to the approval of Stark.

Stark courses can also be transferred to other institutions. Students will want to confirm with the institutions they are planning to attend to confirm which courses will transfer.

While Stark does not offer a counseling degree that leads to state licensure (LCP, Licensed Professional Counselor), students can take Bible classes with Stark and transfer them to B.H. Carroll Theological Institute or another institution that offers a counseling degree that leads to licensure.

Yes! We have online classes for all programs. See our Academics page for a list of programs.

Because Stark serves mostly non-traditional students (the average student is in their 40s), most students take one to two classes per semester. However, students can sign up for more classes if they have the time to devote to their studies.

Before you register for classes, you will be required to speak with an academic advisor that can provide guidance in helping you determine how many classes you should enroll in. 

Stark offers 16-week spring and fall semesters (January-May and August-December) and one 8-week summer semester (June-July).

Classes that meet in-person or via video typically meet in the late afternoon or evening. We also offer online courses for students that wish to take classes solely online.

Stark also offeres Hyflex classes in which students may choose to attend face-to-face, via video, or online (within 48 hours of class meeting) on a weekly basis.

Check the schedule under each Academic program’s page for a full list of course meeting dates and times.

Classes can range from as big as 30 students per class or as small as 4-5 students.

Stark does not have a bookstore. We recommend you purchase your books online at retailers such as Amazon.com or Christianbook.com. See our Booklist Page for the latest semester booklist.

See our Tuition and Financial Aid page for cost information and financial aid opportunities.

Students may take advantage of Stark’s payment plans. There are four payment due dates for the spring and fall semesters and three payment due dates for summer. See the Catalog under the Student Resources page for payment due dates.

Yes! See the Tuition & Financial Aid page for financial aid opportunities.

For further questions about financial aid, email Cheryl Temple at ctemple@stark.edu.

Pell Grant cannot be used at Stark as we are not a Title IV school. Therefore, you do not need to complete the FAFSA to apply for financial aid. See Stark’s Tuition & Financial Aid page for financial aid opportunities.

Unfortunately, recent legislation has restricted where veterans can use their education benefits. Benefits must be used at Title IV schools. Stark does not participate in Title IV as we want to ensure our students do not take out loans to attend classes.

Stark courses are affordable, and there is opportunity for financial aid (see our Tuition & Financial Aid page). We also offer payment plans.

Student loans cannot be used at Stark.

At Stark, we care about your financial future, and we know that leaving school with crippling debt not only limits where you are able to minister, but it can also be a source of stress and chaos in your life for years to come. Because of this, one of our fundamental principles is affordability. We will continue to strive to keep our tuition low and offer scholarships and grant opportunities to every student that attends Stark.

See our Tuition & Financial Aid page to find out more about about our tuition, scholarships, and grants.

Our Corpus Christi office is at 7000 Ocean Drive.

Our McAllen location is 1809 N. Main Street.

We also have teaching sites at Northside Baptist Church in Victoria, TX and at Resurrection Baptist Church in Schertz, TX.

Yes! See our Accreditation Page.

We are historically Baptist, and we also respect and welcome Christians from other denominations. We have a diverse background of students.