Advanced Diploma in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Course details

This Advanced Diploma in Liberal Arts and Sciences will take students on the journey of a lifetime in which they are mentored in the fundamentals of learning and living. Through a five-pronged approach of rigorous academics, spiritual formation, holy and healthy living, community service, and life skills, students will be prepared for life, rather than just for a job.

Our aim is to guide students to see the relevance of their beliefs (their “worldview”) to all aspects of their lives. To see that what we believe matters greatly because our worldview drives our whole life and reaches into what work we choose to do, the way in which we do it, the way we treat others, who we marry, the way we raise our children, how we make and spend our money, the future we envision for our communities and nations, and the solutions we can offer for the needs we see around us. The ultimate goal is to help students ask the question, “What is the Good Life?” and to realize that it begins in loving God with heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Who Should Attend

If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the following questions, this course may be what you need:

• Do you sometimes feel like you have spent most of your life learning “what” to think, rather than “how” to think?
• Do you have all the right certificates (“right scores,” even) but are often left wondering what your learning has to do with your faith? Do you ever wonder if the God you hear about in church has anything to do with the science formulas you had to memorize, the mathematics drills you did for years, the economics graphs you poured over, the history dates you memorized, and the works of art you tried (successfully or unsuccessfully) to produce?
• Are you looking for an education that places an emphasis on being mentored? On studying one subject at a time to allow you to focus? On sequencing the curriculum so that each subject progresses with a link to the next and flows in an ordered fashion? On interactive learning that is centred around Socratic discussions rather than straight lectures?

Course Structure / Content

This course is pided into four terms that progress in a sequenced, modular order that aims to follow the pine flow of the biblical narrative, following the order: Before Creation, the Creation of the Universe, the Creation of Life, the Creation of Man, the Creation of Family, The Fall, and the Creation of a Nation. Only one subject is tackled at a time (e.g. first Theology, then Philosophy, then Mathematics, etc.) to allow students to focus, and then to “build” by linking each module to the next.

The first module equips the student with the basic critical thinking and communications skills that will be practiced for the rest of the course, so that they eventually become a natural part of students’ thinking and responses. The MetaNarrative modules (understanding the “big picture” through daily study of the Bible) and Holistic Living modules (growing in our community and life skills habits, including understanding relationships with peers and mentors, evaluating our use of media, 

The semester breakdowns are as follows:

Semester 1

• Critical Thinking, Composition, Speech
• Theology
• Philosophy
• The Meta-Narrative 1
• Holistic Living 1

Semester 2

• Mathematics
• Physical Science
• Biology
• The Meta-Narrative 2
• Holistic Living 2

Semester 3

• Psychology
• The Arts
• Sociology
• The Meta-Narrative 3
• Holistic Living 3

Semester 4

• Government and Law
• Economics
• The Meta-Narrative 4
• Holistic Living 4

receiving etiquette training, and doing community service) run throughout the course. 

Delivery Methods

All modules consist of face-to-face instruction (which include Socratic discussions, application projects, field trips, cultural events, and service projects.)

Attendance

90% attendance is required. If an international student’s attendance falls below this level, Sterling Campus is obligated to report this to the immigration authorities. For all students, final course grades are affected by the number of absences.

Assessment

Students will be assessed internally using the following methods: assignments based on readings (e.g. case studies, essays, argument maps); quizzes, tests, final exams; inpidual and group projects and presentations; and level and quality of participation in classroom discussion. There is no externally conducted final exam.

Entry Requirements

The general entrance requirements are as follows:

• Students must be at least 16 years of age at the commencement of the course. Students who do not meet the minimum age must seek permission from the Sterling Campus Admissions Officer. Approval may be granted on a case-by-case basis.
• 5 GCE ‘O’ Level passes (including English and Mathematics) / 2 GCE ‘A’ Level passes / Diploma / equivalent secondary or high school qualifications.

One of the following proofs of language proficiency is required:

• TOEFL 500 (or IELTS 5.0)
• Minimum GCE ‘O’ Level (or equivalent) English pass
• If an international student has taken courses for which the medium of instruction was English, or has taken an English preparatory course focused on preparing learners for higher education courses conducted in English, s/he may submit a copy of the course syllabus and an official transcript.

While the academic aspect of the course requires a minimum level of skills, students meeting both the general and language requirements are not guaranteed acceptance because the course does not solely focus on academics. Thus, the personal essay, references, and/or interviews may also be used in the admissions process to determine if students are suited to the course. If a student is determined to have a level of English which is of concern to Sterling Campus admissions staff, s/he may be accepted into the course but be required to attend supplementary English tutorials to ensure they do not fall behind. There are no additional fees charged for such tutorials and they are aimed solely at student success.

Graduation Requirements

Only students entitled to receive the Advanced Diploma may walk in the graduation ceremony, except by the granting of an academic petition in extraordinary circumstances. In order to be an Advanced Diploma candidate and receive a diploma, the student must have:

• Successfully passed each module in the course
• Been approved by the faculty and administration
• Met all financial obligations

Virtus cum Scientia” Distinction

This honor is bestowed upon a student who best exemplifies the phrase “Character with knowledge united.”