Strobel Center Continuing Education FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question about the Lee Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics continuing education courses and certificates? Below you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions you may have about the courses and certificates.

General

Which certificate might be best for me?

  • If you are looking to learn how to "read" culture from a biblical/theological angle, discover theological content in popular culture creations like movies and TV, and engage culture from a biblical perspective, then the Cultural Engagement Certificate might be a good fit for you.
  • If you are looking to learn about world religions, gain a deeper understanding of Islam and Eastern Thought, and discover how apologetics can strengthen missionary work, then the Global Apologetics Certificate might be a good fit for you.
  • If you are looking to learn to teach evangelistic methods in small groups, discover how apologetics and evangelism relate, and lead evangelistic efforts in your church, then the Innovative Evangelism Certificate might be a good fit for you.
  • If you are looking to discover historical evidence for Christianity, learn about the relationship between science and God, and examine the evidence for Christ's resurrection and the Bible, then the Practical Apologetics Certificate might be a good fit for you.

Can I earn academic credit for a continuing education course?

The continuing education courses offered by CCU are non-academic credit courses. If you decide you would like academic credit for a course, you may present a Prior Learning Assessment portfolio for evaluation. Academic credit is not guaranteed. CCU also offers fully accredited online bachelor's degrees and master's degrees in Applied Apologetics.

How do I obtain my certificate when I complete all six courses?

Once you complete all courses required for a specific certificate, you will be able to access your certificate through your account. You will also receive an email confirmation that will include your certificate.

Does Lee Strobel teach the courses?

Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg thoughtfully designed each continuing education course and each course is based on their works and the works of other expert authors. As the courses are self-guided, there is no faculty instruction or advising.

What is the reading level in the courses?

Courses are designed at a seventh-grade reading level and between 60 and 65 for Flesch/Kinkaid reading ease.

My high schooler is interested in Christian apologetics. Are the certificates appropriate for them?

Absolutely, as long as their reading level is seventh grade or above.

Do these courses meet ADA requirements?

CCU's continuing education courses meet all ADA requirements. Textbooks can be purchased in various formats that may or may not meet ADA requirements.

Can I share a course or use it for teaching in my small group?

We recommend purchasing the course for each individual in your group so everyone can get the most out of the materials. CCU offers discounts for groups of six or more. If you're interested in this option, please send your name, organization, and the size of your group to strobelcec@ccu.edu.

Do you have a promotional video that I can show at my church?

We do not currently have promotional videos for the courses. However, if you are interested in this option, please send your name, the name of your church, and the video duration you are looking for to strobelcenter@ccu.edu.

Time and Cost

How long will it take to complete each course?

The continuing education courses are self-paced, allowing students to complete them on their own time and schedule. In general, the courses are designed to be completed within five weeks with continuous study.

How long will it take to complete an entire certificate?

Each six-course certificate is designed to be completed in six to eight months with continuous study.

I see that each course is expected to take five weeks. What is the anticipated hourly commitment I should expect?

Each course is comprised of five sessions. Each session takes an average of 15 hours to complete. Each course will require approximately 50-75 hours, including reading. This varies depending on how much time you spend on each session. For optimal results, we recommend completing one session per week.

How much does each course cost?

Each course costs $79. You can save $12 per course by purchasing the certificate bundle.

How much does each certificate cost?

Each six-course certificate bundle is $402. If you choose to purchase each course separately, the total cost for each certificate will be $474.

How do I purchase courses for multiple people or a group?

If you are purchasing courses for a group, you will need to set up individual accounts with individual email addresses and a temporary password. Each person will receive a confirmation email and will be able to log in to change their password. CCU offers discounts for groups of six or more. If you are interested in group pricing, please send your name, organization, and the size of your group to strobelcec@ccu.edu.

Do I get a discount if I purchase courses for a group?

CCU offers a discount for groups of six or more. If you are interested in group pricing options, please send your name, organization, and the size of your group to strobelcec@ccu.edu.

Are there discount options for military members?

CCU has the honor of being designated a military-friendly school. We deeply appreciate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces. If you have a group six or more in your unit interested in taking courses, please send your name, organization, and the size of your group to strobelcec@ccu.edu to receive group pricing information.

Can I purchase courses as a gift?

We do not currently offer the option to purchase courses or certificates as a gift.

Will my purchase expire?

You will have access to your course for 365 days from the date the course was purchased. If you purchase a certificate bundle, you will have 365 days to complete all six courses.

Can I get a refund for the course I purchased?

All purchases are final. CCU does not offer refunds for continuing education courses and certificates.

Books

Do I need any books for the courses?

We highly recommend that you purchase the book that is listed in the welcome portion of each course in order to get the most out of each course. While it is possible to complete each course without the recommended textbook, often the videos and activities will refer to or discuss the reading for that lesson or topic.

The continuing education courses are based on the works of best-selling authors Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg. Other authors represented across the spectrum of courses include Nabeel Qureshi, Karen Swallow Prior, John Lennox, and John Stott.

Where do I get my books?

You can purchase your books from anywhere that sells them. We recommend checking your local Christian bookstore, or online at Christianbook.com or Amazon.com.

Technical Support

I can't log in. Who can I contact for help?

For assistance with login issues, please submit a Customer Support request.

My course isn't loading.

First, make sure that you are not accessing your course from your browser while running "incognito" mode. If you are using Safari, it will block third-party sites and may not allow you to load your course. The recommended browser for optimal results is Chrome. If you can't access Chrome, Firefox will work. Click here for more details. If you are still having issues, submit a support ticket.

What kind of technology/equipment/software do I need to take courses?

You will need a reliable computer (desktop or laptop) with access to a reliable internet connection. We recommend using Chrome, but Firefox, IE 9+, Safari, and Opera should work fine.

How much bandwidth/internet connectivity do I need to take courses?

A high-speed internet connection (Cable or DSL) is highly recommended. Some courses require the download and upload of various types of media, including video.

Still have questions?

If you haven't found the answer to your question in the FAQs, please submit your question through our Customer Support form.