ACTS Program Annual Course Schedule
The ACTS program offers 11 courses, including 8 asynchronous courses and 3 synchronous courses all provided by ACTS instructors. Asynchronous courses will run 10 academic weeks each quarter/term of the calendar year. The three synchronous courses are offered annually or biannually.
2026 Course Schedule
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do classes cost?
A: All classes cost $300/course. Clergy Ethics, is the one exception: costing $150.
Q: Are there discounts for course costs?
A: Yes! In partnership with ABCOPAD and the Garrett Grant, ACTS offers a 'partnership' payment plan. ABCOPAD will invest $50 toward the $300 tuition fee (lowering the remaining cost to $250) if the student and his/her church partner to cover the remaining amount. The student & church may divide the $250 however they choose, provided each invests a minimum of $50. Thus, a student could pay $75, their church $75 and ABCOPAD $50. We believe that all 3 partners (the Region, church, and student) benefit from ACTS and should invest in the student's education.
Q: Can students take more than one asynchronous course during the 10 academic-week term?
A: Yes! Students who wish to accelerate their coursework by taking two courses during a term will be able to do so. If a student appears to be struggling to complete his/her work well, the ACTS Administrator may limit he/she to one course per term.
Q: Can students hand in assignments after the end of the term?
A: Students are highly encouraged to complete the course in the 10 weeks allotted. However, if a student cannot complete assignments by the end of the term, s/he can request a two-week extension of time from the course’s academic coach. The coach has the option to approve or deny that request. If approved, there will be an additional fee of $50, which must be paid before grades will be released.
Q: What happens if a student does not submit the assignments by the end of the additional two-week extension granted by the coach?
A: If the student does not submit assignments by the new deadline (term end date plus two weeks), then the grade is calculated based on the work submitted (with zeros for missing work) and the student may be required to retake the course due to a failing grade. If there are extenuating circumstances preventing the student from completing the work, the student may formally request a leave of absence to be granted by the ACTS Council.
Q: How does a student request a formal leave of absence?
A: If a student has extenuating circumstances that will require a break of more than one term, the student should request a formal leave of absence by emailing the ACTS Administrator . A re-enrollment fee of $100 will be charged to those who return from a leave of absence.
Q: If a student wants to take a break, a term off (i.e. not register for classes during a term), is this permitted?
A: Yes, we understand that occasionally student’s personal & professional life requires pausing for a term. Students will please notify the ACTS Administrator of their intention to break for one term. Please note, if the break will last longer than one term, the student needs to formally request a leave of absence.
Q: How will a student know when synchronous courses are being offered?
A: ACTS and ABCOPAD will promote the synchronous course offerings and the ACTS Administrator will notify students of upcoming courses. They are also listed on the academic calendar. The January intensive course will be (even years) Missions & Evangelism or (odd years) American Baptist History and Polity. Clergy ethics will be offered in late June or early July.
Q: How does a student register and pay for synchronous courses (Baptist History and Polity, Missions and Evangelism, and Clergy Ethics)?
A: Students will be able to register for these courses through the ACTS website when they become available. and students will be notified by the ACTS Administrator when registration opens. The fee for these courses is $300/student (except for Clergy Ethics, which is $150).
A: All classes cost $300/course. Clergy Ethics, is the one exception: costing $150.
Q: Are there discounts for course costs?
A: Yes! In partnership with ABCOPAD and the Garrett Grant, ACTS offers a 'partnership' payment plan. ABCOPAD will invest $50 toward the $300 tuition fee (lowering the remaining cost to $250) if the student and his/her church partner to cover the remaining amount. The student & church may divide the $250 however they choose, provided each invests a minimum of $50. Thus, a student could pay $75, their church $75 and ABCOPAD $50. We believe that all 3 partners (the Region, church, and student) benefit from ACTS and should invest in the student's education.
Q: Can students take more than one asynchronous course during the 10 academic-week term?
A: Yes! Students who wish to accelerate their coursework by taking two courses during a term will be able to do so. If a student appears to be struggling to complete his/her work well, the ACTS Administrator may limit he/she to one course per term.
Q: Can students hand in assignments after the end of the term?
A: Students are highly encouraged to complete the course in the 10 weeks allotted. However, if a student cannot complete assignments by the end of the term, s/he can request a two-week extension of time from the course’s academic coach. The coach has the option to approve or deny that request. If approved, there will be an additional fee of $50, which must be paid before grades will be released.
Q: What happens if a student does not submit the assignments by the end of the additional two-week extension granted by the coach?
A: If the student does not submit assignments by the new deadline (term end date plus two weeks), then the grade is calculated based on the work submitted (with zeros for missing work) and the student may be required to retake the course due to a failing grade. If there are extenuating circumstances preventing the student from completing the work, the student may formally request a leave of absence to be granted by the ACTS Council.
Q: How does a student request a formal leave of absence?
A: If a student has extenuating circumstances that will require a break of more than one term, the student should request a formal leave of absence by emailing the ACTS Administrator . A re-enrollment fee of $100 will be charged to those who return from a leave of absence.
Q: If a student wants to take a break, a term off (i.e. not register for classes during a term), is this permitted?
A: Yes, we understand that occasionally student’s personal & professional life requires pausing for a term. Students will please notify the ACTS Administrator of their intention to break for one term. Please note, if the break will last longer than one term, the student needs to formally request a leave of absence.
Q: How will a student know when synchronous courses are being offered?
A: ACTS and ABCOPAD will promote the synchronous course offerings and the ACTS Administrator will notify students of upcoming courses. They are also listed on the academic calendar. The January intensive course will be (even years) Missions & Evangelism or (odd years) American Baptist History and Polity. Clergy ethics will be offered in late June or early July.
Q: How does a student register and pay for synchronous courses (Baptist History and Polity, Missions and Evangelism, and Clergy Ethics)?
A: Students will be able to register for these courses through the ACTS website when they become available. and students will be notified by the ACTS Administrator when registration opens. The fee for these courses is $300/student (except for Clergy Ethics, which is $150).
