Prairie Bible Institute Degree Expansion

Summary#

This bill updates the founding law of Prairie Bible Institute (PBI), a private religious school in Alberta. It keeps PBI’s right to grant divinity (theology) degrees and adds clear permission, with provincial approval, to offer other degrees. It also lets PBI grant its own diplomas and certificates. One section is renumbered; its rules do not change.

• Keeps PBI’s authority to grant divinity degrees.
• Allows PBI, if approved under Alberta’s Post‑secondary Learning Act, to offer and grant bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
• Lets PBI create and grant diplomas and certificates through its own internal approval.
• Renumbers an existing “gift annuity” section without changing how it works.
• Does not provide any new government funding.

What it means for you#

• Students and families

  • More program choices at PBI may become available over time, including degree programs beyond theology.
  • You should check if a degree program has provincial approval before enrolling. Approval affects recognition of the credential.
  • Diplomas and certificates will be approved by the school itself. Recognition can vary by employer or school, so ask about transfer and accreditation.
  • You may be able to study closer to home if new programs launch at PBI.

• Faculty and staff at PBI

  • The school can develop new programs, but degree programs will need to meet provincial quality standards and get approval.
  • Internal processes will need to support quality review, assessment, and reporting.

• Employers and other schools

  • You may see more applicants with PBI degrees, diplomas, or certificates. Verifying program approval and recognition will be simpler for provincially approved degrees.
  • Transfer and admission decisions can consider whether a credential is a provincially approved degree or an institutionally approved diploma/certificate.

• Local community (Three Hills and area)

  • If PBI expands programs, enrollment could grow, which may increase local spending on housing, food, and services.

• Donors

  • The “gift annuity” provision is only renumbered. The rules for giving and how funds are handled do not change.

Expenses#

Estimated annual cost: no direct provincial spending.

• The bill does not create grants or require new funding.
• The province may have routine administrative costs to review and approve any new degree programs, handled under existing processes.
• Tuition and fees are set by the institution; this bill does not address prices or student aid.

Proponents' View#

• Modernizes a 1946 charter so the school can meet today’s education needs.
• Expands student choice by allowing more types of degrees at a faith‑based institution.
• Protects quality, since any new degrees must pass Alberta’s approval system.
• Could help keep Alberta students in‑province and attract others to study in rural Alberta.
• May boost the local economy if enrollment grows.

Opponents' View#

• Degree recognition could confuse students if they do not notice which programs have provincial approval and which do not.
• Diplomas and certificates are approved internally by the school, so oversight is lighter than for provincially approved degrees; recognition may vary.
• Questions of fairness may arise about expanding a private, faith‑based institution’s degree authority.
• Added program reviews may increase administrative workload for the province and the school.