Return To Resources A Short History of the Interfaith Seminary & Program Overview The Interfaith Seminary began using it's current name in 2003.  Prior to that time we were known as the Interfaith School of Theology and were an auxillary of the Church of Seven Planes in Cooper, Texas.  The Seminary had it's beginnings, however, as the Interfaith Seminary of St. Columba prior to the Church of Seven Planes taking over the seminary in 2001.  In 2001 when the Church of Seven Planes took over the seminary many changes were made to the studies programs in an effort to make the seminary more legitimate as an Interfaith religious institution.  In 2003 when our name changed to "The Interfaith Seminary" more changes were made and additional study programs began being offered.  Since 2003 the Interfaith Seminary has added several degree programs and courses of study to students of all religions.  We have worked hard to refine our programs and to make IFS a legitimate and honored online religious seminary.  Our faculty is located throughout the world and most work other jobs as counselors, teachers, and ministers.  Today the IFS continues to strive for excellence by refining existing study programs and adding new study programs.  Service to our students is our first priority.  We want our students to know their degrees from IFS are worth something and we strive to make our degree programs worth our students time and effort.  In the future IFS will continue to refine its programs and strive for excellence.  We are NOT a degree mill and we do NOT award any degrees without study, grading, and evaluation.  Students are expected to work for their degree at IFS and earn it.  Anyone simply wishing to pay money and get a degree is NOT appropriate for the status of an IFS student. Our study programs are all self paced, meaning students proceed through a program at their own rate.  Some may complete their program in a few months while others may take longer.  We do encourage all students to complete their study programs within one year from their date of acceptance into IFS.  Persons wishing to study with IFS must first submit a completed Student Application along with transcripts from other schools they have attended.  Transcripts will be verified by IFS staff at this time.  After the student application has been submitted IFS will determine if the student is appropriate for our programs academically.  If not then the potential student will recieve a communications letting them know why they are not being accepted into the IFS study program.  If approved then a Letter of Admission is issued to the student from IFS. The Letter of Admission issued to new students will contain the name of the assigned adviser/facilitator who will be working with the student during their course of studies with IFS.  The adviser/facilitator will contact the student and set up a "Degree Program."  The Degree Program is a roadmap of the courses the student will have to complete before the degree is issued by IFS.  The student is expected to follow their Degree Program unless it is revised by their adviser/facilitator and resubmitted to IFS for approval.  The student may begin studies once the Degree Progam is formulated and once tuition is paid or the first payment is made if the students has signed a payment agreement with IFS.  The students adviser/facilitator will guide the student through the various courses of study under their Degree Program.  Once a student completes a course his/her adviser/facilitator will assign a grade for the course and advise IFS that the student has completed a certain course with whatever grade was assigned.  IFS will use this information for the official student transcript from IFS.  Upon successful completion of all coursework the student will then begin work on their thesis or dissertation.  The adviser/facilitator will help direct the student in this effort.  Once it is completed the student submits the thesis/dissertation to their adviser and IFS.  The thesis/dissertation is then distributed to the students Thesis/Dissertation Review Committeee composed of IFS staff.  The committee will read, review, and access the thesis/dissertation.  The committee will communicate with the students assigned adviser and student concerning questions and/or concerns about the submitted thesis/dissertation.  The committee will then either decide to accept or reject it.  If rejected, the student must revise the document and resubmit it.  If approved then this completes the students study program with IFS.  Once all tuition is paid in full the degree will then be awarded based upon the recommendation of the adviser/facilitator and Thesis/Dissertation Committee.  Also, students should know that their thesis/dissertation may be maintained on the IFS Library section as public information and for student information.  Other students may quote from the dissertation or use them in the course of their own studies.