Reasons Institute - Frequently Asked Questions

The following are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Reasons Institute.

• Who should consider enrolling in Reasons Institute?

• What are the academic standards for Reasons Institute courses?

• What are the rules for dropping a course?

• Can I earn a formal degree through Reasons Institute?

Who Should Consider Enrolling in Reasons Institute?

Reasons Institute courses are designed for all Christians who are interested in equipping themselves with the powerful tools developed by Reasons To Believe. Our desire is to prepare God's people to be an informed and effective witness for Christ the Creator in the church, workplace, and society.

This program has particular application for Christians who are...

• Parents: Reasons Institute courses will equip parents to teach their children the truth about the Creator, Jesus Christ.

• Sunday school teachers and church leaders: These courses will equip Sunday school teachers to confidently communicate the compatibility between the Bible and science to their students.

• Professional scientists, engineers, and health care professionals: Completion of our two foundational courses, "Creation and the Bible" and "Creation vs. Evolution," will provide a solid foundation for science professionals integrate what they use in their vocation with their spiritual life.

• Public and Christian schoolteachers: This program will prepare teachers to give biblical and scientific answers to their students' questions, with an understanding of the importance of using scientific models.

• College students and faculty: Academic settings, whether Christian or secular, are frequently influenced by the teachings of biological evolution. Reasons Institute will equip students and faculty alike to respond to these assertions within the context of a testable model.

• Missionaries and evangelists: Unbelievers with a high view of science generally view science as in conflict with the Bible. Reasons Institute's courses will prepare missionaries and evangelists to use the tried-and-true techniques implemented by RTB's scholars in order to share the Gospel in a language that skeptics and scientists can understand.

No additional scientific knowledge beyond high school is necessary for success - just a desire to learn.

For further information about Reasons Institute, please contact Bob Stuart at (800) 482-7836, x116 or learning@reasons.org.

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What are the academic standards for Reasons Institute courses?

All Reasons Institute courses have been designed to meet the academic standards set by Hope International University (HIU). To ensure that our courses provide the same rigor and breadth as those of the degree-granting institutions that have partnered with us, Reasons Institute courses conform to the following criteria:

• 1 unit of undergraduate credit represents about 20 hours of focused engagement with the course subject matter.
• 1 unit of graduate credit represents about 40 hours of focused engagement with the course subject matter.

• The average adult student can complete 1 page of reading in about 2 minutes.

• The average adult student can complete 1 page of formal, research-based writing in about 90 minutes.

• Most Reasons Institute courses are 2-units. Accordingly...
  • an average adult undergraduate student should plan to devote about 40 hours of serious study (20 hours x 2 units = 40 hours)—or 8 hours per week (8 hours x 5 weeks = 40 hours)—to this course.
  • an average adult graduate student should plan to devote about 80 hours of serious study (40 hours x 2 units = 80 hours)—or 11-12 hours per week (12 hours x 7 weeks = 84 hours)—to this course.

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What are the rules for dropping a course?

If you decide to withdraw before the class begins or if you never attend the course, you have two options:

1. Request a full refund for your course registration minus a $25 processing fee.
2. Request to have your course registration transferred to the next term.

In the event that you decide to withdraw from a course within the first two weeks, you may do the following:

1. Request to have your course registration transferred to the next term by paying an additional $50 instructor fee, or


2. Request a refund for the course registration minus a $50 instructor fee.

NO refunds will be given on course materials or on course registrations after the first 2 weeks of the course.

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Can I earn a formal degree through Reasons Institute?

Reasons Institute is not a degree-granting institution. However, through our partnership with Hope International University, students can earn undergraduate or graduate credit that is transferable to mainstream colleges and universities, both Christian and secular. Students should check with their college registrar office in order to verify eligibility requirements, however.

Students wishing to pursue a formal degree in science apologetics might want to consider the Master of Arts in Science and Religion program available through Biola University. Some of RTB’s scholars are adjunct faculty in the program. Additionally, some courses offered through Reasons Institute can be transferred to Biola, giving students a jump-start on their degree.

For further information about how Reasons Institute courses can be applied toward Biola University’s M.A. in Science and Religion, please contact Bob Stuart at (800) 482-7836, x 116 or learning@reasons.org.

Reasons Institute courses taken for audit cannot be given academic credit at a later date.

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