This document discusses innovation in Christian higher education, specifically partnerships between YWAM University of the Nations (UofN) and other institutions. It notes that UofN's Online School of Biblical Studies program has received accreditation under the Global Christian College Credit Consortium (GC4). This provides a 50% discount for students pursuing degrees from City Vision University and pathways for credits to be recognized in other countries. The document outlines several pathways for UofN students to obtain recognized degrees and credentials through partnerships like GC4 and City Vision to expand access to Christian education. It argues this approach can help Christian higher education institutions better serve millions of students globally.

1. Innovation in Christian Higher Education
YWAM University of the Nations
Dr. Andrew Sears
President, City Vision University
www.cityvision.edu andrew@cityvision.edu
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewsears
Slideshare: https://goo.gl/tQqUI2
3/9/17 Geneva

2. GC4 Online SBS Accreditation Partnership
 UofN’s Online SBS is now accredited under GC4 as a Level 4 in
Biblical Studies
◦ Partnership also includes a 50% discount to City Vision ($3,500/year)
◦ https://onlinesbs.org/uofn-partnership-gc4/ & www.globalchristiancollege.org
 Global Christian College Credit Consortium (GC4) provides course
level accreditation to ministry schools
◦ We are doing this under Qualifi, which offers accreditation under the
vocational frameworks structure of Ofqual in the UK.
◦ Level 3, 4 & 5 certificates/diplomas may be recognized in many
commonwealth countries, and are considered accredited for transfer credit
evaluation.
◦ GC4 legally resides as a program of the Christian nonprofit TechMission
Theoretical Framework: Video, my Clayton Christensen Institute blog post (Part 1, Part 2)

3. Key Requirement Summary for GC4 Accreditation
1. Provide centralized system for transcript information
◦ Preferred to have a centralized system for all grading & assessments
unless controls are in place to standardized quality of assessments
◦ Modules need to be mapped into standards for credit hours
2. Instructors doing grading to have either a Bachelor’s or to have
completed the program they are teaching
◦ In locations without credentialed faculty can use online grading
◦ Need to provide letter validating prior learning for faculty without transcripts
3. Students must apply for GC4 certificate within 90 days after
completing one course ($100)

4. Global Christian College Credit Consortium (University of the Nations Online SBS)
These References
Tie to UK Accreditation
(see link)
Certificate in Biblical Studies
Level 4
Level 4 Certificate in Biblical Studies

5. The Need 1: Rapid Growth of Higher Education Globally
100 Million
Students
in 2000
263 Million
Students
in 2025
(84% of growth in
the developing world)
Sources Karaim, R. (2011). Expanding higher education: should every country have a world-class university. CQ Global Researcher, 5(22), 525–572.
Lutz, W., & KC, S. K. (2013). Demography and Human Development: Education and Population Projections. UNDP-HDRO Occasional Papers,
(2013/04). Retrieved from http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/hdro_1304_lutz_kc.pdf
137 Million New Students in Developing Countries by 2025
4.9 billion middle class globally by 2030

6. The Need 2: The Rise of Non-Western Christianity

7. -
200,000,000
400,000,000
600,000,000
800,000,000
1,000,000,000
1,200,000,000
1,400,000,000
1,600,000,000
1,800,000,000
2,000,000,000
1800 1900 1970 2000 2007 2025
Christian Membership by Region
West South
Status of Global Mission 2014, Todd Johnson
http://www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/documents/statusofglobalmission.pdf

8. 1900 1970 2000 2007 2025
South 21% 59% 86% 91% 99%
West 79% 41% 14% 9% 1%
21%
59%
86%
91%
99%
79%
41%
14%
9%
1%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
Growth of Christianity by Region
Status of Global Mission 2014, Todd Johnson
http://www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/documents/statusofglobalmission.pdf

9. The Need 3: Consolidation & Platform Coopetition
Possible Future of Higher Education in 2030?
Image Source: Wikimedia
State Owned Mega-universities
with 1 million+ Students
Technology Platform
Educational Networks
Global
Christian
Education
Platform

10. Three Possible Futures
Technology Platform
Dominant Future
(40% decline in CHE)
State Mega-Universities
Dominant Future
(40% decline in CHE)
Christian Global Educational
Platform Growth Future
(400% growth in CHE)

11. Framing the Challenge
In the face of these trends, how can CHE achieve the preferred
future of dramatic global growth?
Global HE
Growth
Consolidation
Growth of
Christianity in
the Majority
World

12. 10 million+ students
at $1,000/student
Radically Affordable
Mobile Education
The Need for Disruptive Innovation
Traditional
Christian
Higher
Education
(A few million students
At $10,000/student)
10 x
More
Users
1/10th
Cost
Radically Affordable
Blended Education
100 million+ students
at $50/student

13. Mobile Vision: Accredited Mobile Courses to Millions
Courses
Global Christian
College Credit
Consortium (GC4)
YouVersion Bible App Quality Mobile Courses
+
Accreditation
+

14. Why Now? 1: Modularity & Unbundling is Enabling Disruptive Innovation
Unbundled (Modular) vs. Interdependent Architectures Over Time
Image Source: Wikimedia

15. Modular Universities =
Lego Cities
Monolithic Bundled Degrees Today
Unbundled Education =
Lego Blocks
Modular Degrees
& Credentials =
Lego KitsInteroperable
Standards
Source: http://www.christenseninstitute.org/unlocking-stackable-global-credentials/
http://www.christenseninstitute.org/a-standards-strategy-for-stackable-global-credentials/

16. Unbundling & Rebundling Strategy
Getting YWAM UofN’s Modularity to work with Accreditation
YWAM
UofN Courses
Open
Education
Industry
Certifications
MOOCs
& Apps
Top-Up Degrees
(City Vision, etc)
University
Courses
Books & Paid
Courseware
1.Christian
Courseware
Internships &
Missions Trips
Alternative
Ed Providers
YWAM UofN Campuses
(Microcampuses/Study Centers)
Vocational
Qualifications
(GC4)
4. Uncredentialed
Local Coaches
3. Christian Worldview
Program Designers
• Course market becomes more like book and software markets to reduce costs & improve quality
• Christian courses become more modular and less interdependent where possible
• University becomes system integrator of content and tech platforms.
2. Credentialed
Online Faculty
Ordination
Vertically
Integrated
University
Virtually Integrated
University
Transformation is a core
competency of the YWAM
Horizontally Integrated Rebundled University
Unbundled
Christian Programs
Faculty role is unbundled into
4 specialized positions
Access to
Opportunity
(branding, licensing
& quality assurance)
Transformative
Experience
(primarily affective)
Metacognition
& Skills
(psychomotor &
high-level cognitive)
Knowledge &
Content
(low-level cognitive)
YWAM Partnerships
Automated training with
minimal faculty requirement
Access to
Opportunity
(branding, licensing
& quality assurance)
Transformative
Experience
(primarily affective)
Metacognition
& Skills
(psychomotor &
high-level cognitive)
Knowledge &
Content
(low-level cognitive)

17. Dead Capital
$9.3 trillion
400 million in India with
No Identification
Undocumented
Alternative
Education
Trillions of $ of lost value?
Why Now? 2: Technology Is Enabling Centralized Record Keeping
Needed to Document Alternative Education

18. Is Education More Secular or Christian Globally?
Perry L. Glanzer, "Dispersing the Light: The Status of Christian Higher Education around the Globe," Christian Scholar's Review 43 (2013): 321-43.
Status of Global Mission 2014, Todd Johnson http://www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/documents/statusofglobalmission.pdf
It depends on how you frame the question

19. The Majority of Christian Education is Alternative Education
ACCREDITED EDUCATION
NONTRADITIONAL, BUT
ACCREDITABLE EDUCATION
(GROWING DRAMATICALLY)
Bible
Colleges
Christian
Liberal Arts
Colleges
Christian
Universities
Seminaries
Bible Institutes Ministry Experience
Professional Experience
Alternative Education Courses
Bible Studies
Sermons
Educational Discipleship Programs
Christian Radio,
TV, Websites,
Books & Apps
Small Groups
NONTRADITIONAL, NON-
ACCREDITABLE EDUCATION
PRIMARILY
PARACHURCH
PRIMARILY
CHURCH
Correspondence & Continuing Ed
Conferences

20. Industry Map: Supporting a Healthy Christian Tertiary Educational Ecosystem
ACCREDITED HIGHER
EDUCATION
NONTRADITIONAL, BUT
ACCREDITABLE EDUCATION
MOOCs & Open Ed
Udemy, Coursera, EdX, Futurelearn, Open2study,
Open University, Udemy, Khan Academy, Duolingo
Alison, YouTube, iTunesU, Open Learn, OLI
Christian Mega Universities
Liberty, Grand Canyon
Christian Universities
CCCU, IAPCHE, Overseas Council
Paid Courseware
Pearson, Mcgraw-Hill, Lynda.com,
Skillshare, Pluralsight, Dream Degree
Acrobatiq, Cengage, CogBooks, Flat World
Bible Colleges
ABHE Schools, ICETE, ATS
Online Christian Universities
CCCU, TRACS, DEAC, IAPCHE, ICHE
Alternative Credit Providers
Straighterline, Saylor, Ed4Online
EdX, JumpCourse, Pearson, Sofia
UC Irvine Extension, Modern States
Christian Free & Open Courses
ThirdMill.org, ChristianUniversity.org, Harvestime.org, Global University Global Reach, Aqueductproject.org
Open Biola, Covenant Seminary, Regent Luxvera, Christian Leaders Institute, TransformingtheChurch
OpenSeminary.com, BiblicalTraining.org, Coram Deo, Multiply Movement, Truthfortheworld.org
Commercial Christian Courseware
Right Now Media, Lumerit, Logos Mobile Ed,
Zondervan, BibleMesh.com, Ligonier Connect
Bible Institutes
10’s of thousands globally
Open Textbooks
saylor.org/books, openstaxcollege.org,
courses.candelalearning.com/catalog/lumen
collegeopentextbooks.org,
open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/
Missions/Ministry Training
i.e. YWAM U Nations
Vocational Qualification Providers
>50% of global market,
10’s of thousands of Training Centers
Ministry & Professional Experience
Prior Learning Assessment
Christian Continuing Education
Insight.org, Lifepointemedia.com, Lifeway.com, Livingontheedge.org, Precept.org,
Sampsonresources.com, Sampson.ed.com, Walkthru.org, Answersingenesis.org,
Bsfinternational.org, Christiancounselingceu.com
Secular
Partners
Seminaries
ATS
TERTIARYEDUCATION
Home School College Credit
veritycollegeeducation.org,
creditsbeforecollege.com Unaccredited Ordination Training
Berean School, Lamp Seminary
Church & Ministry Micro-Campuses
Southeastern, Northwest, Kings University, Kirkland, Beulah Heights,
CaCHE, Virtues Campus, Foundation University
Secular Micro-campuses
Kepler, Minerva, Coursera Learning Hubs,
edX U.Lab, Khan Lab School,
Bridge International Academies

21. We can’t repeat the mistakes of the
past by expecting the majority world
to wear the “suits” of Western
accreditation, but there still must be
appropriate standards and signals
needed.
Source: Wikipedia Article on Assimilation of Native Americans
Higher Education vs. Tertiary Education vs. Vocational Education

22. Components of a Global Christian Educational Ecosystem
Accredited Degree PathwaysAny Accredited Institution Accepting Alternative Credit: City Vision, Secular (Thomas Edison, Excelsior), etc.
Church & Ministry Micro-campusesUnaccredited Christian Models: UofN, Trinity Education, Virtues Campus, Foundation University
Accredited Christian Models: Southeastern, Northwest, Kings University, Kirkland, Beulah Heights, etc.
Secular Models: Kepler, Minerva, Coursara Learning Hubs, edX U.Lab, Khan Lab School, Bridge International, African Virtual University
Alternative Credit Mechanisms
GC4, ICHE, GlobalAccreditation.com, ACE Credit, Vocational Qualifications, Standardized Tests, PLA, Articulation
Agreements, Non Governmental Theological Accreditation (ICETE)
See: Christenson Institute Articles (part 1, part 2)
CoursewareChristian Free: ThirdMill.org, ChristianUniversity.org, Harvestime.org, BiblicalTraining.org, Open Biola, Aqueductproject.org, TransformingTheChurch.org, Covenant
Seminary, Regent Luxvera, Christian Leaders Institute, Global Reach, Coram Deo, Truthfortheworld, Open Church
Christian For Fee/Commercial: BibleMesh.com, Right Now Media, Lumerit, Logos Mobile Ed, Zondervan, Ligonier Connect
“Secular” Courseware: Udemy, Coursera, EdX, Futurelearn, Open2study, Open University, Udemy, Khan Academy, Duolingo, Alison, Open Learn, OLI, Lynda
Digital Distribution: Apps, Web/LMS, MOOC platform, Bible App, YouTube, iTunes, digital devices, print, church & ministry partnerships, corporate partnerships
Delivery Method: offline-only, blended, online-only, mobile-only
Bible Schools
Christian
Liberal Arts
Colleges
Christian
Universities
Seminaries
Unbundled Disruptive EcosystemBundled
Traditional Consultants/System Integrators/Solution Providers: Nonprofit (CaCHE); Commercial: (BibleMesh.com, Lumerit)
Students (2016): 5 million
Projected Annual Growth: -5% to +5%
Non-Credit Students (2016): 1 million For Credit Students (2016): 10,000
Projected Annual Growth: 50% to 1,000%
Dominant
Business
Model:
For Fee
$10 to
$5,000/yr
Dominant
Business
Models:
Fremium
or Donor-
Based
What we can influence

23. Path 1: UofN Online to UofN Campus
UofN Senior Year (on Campus)
UofN Junior Year (on Campus)
UofN Online SBS Sophomore
DTS
No need for GC4 in this path.

24. Path 2: UofN to Government Recognized Accredited Bachelor’s
Level 3
Freshman
Level 4
Sophomore
$3,500
$3,500 (CVU)
or $100 +
partner tuition
$100 +
UofN tuition
$100 +
UofN tuition
City Vision
DEAC Accredited
University
GC4 (in TechMission)
as Qualifi Qualification
University
Degree
Level 5
Junior

25. Path 3: UofN to City Vision Associate’s Degree
Level 4
$3,500 (CVU)
$100 +
UofN tuition
City Vision
DEAC Accredited
University
GC4 (in TechMission)
as Qualifi Qualification
University
Degree
Note: Our Accreditor (DEAC) requires that 25% of credits for a degree must come from City Vision

26. Path 4: UofN to Third Party Level 5 Diplomas
(for international students)
Level 3
Freshman
Level 4
Sophomore
$200-$2,000
$100 +
UofN tuition
$100 +
UofN tuition
GC4 (in TechMission)
as Qualifi Qualification
Level 5
Note: While UK Accreditation may ease process of credit transfer to Level 5 programs,
acceptance of credit is determined by each school.

27. Path 5: Online SBS Paths with Other GC4 Partners
GC4 as an Academic “App Store” of Partner Modules
Level 3
Freshman
Level 4
Sophomore
$3,500
$3,500 (CVU)
or $100 +
partner tuition
$100 +
partner tuition
$100 +
partner tuition
City Vision
DEAC Accredited
University
GC4 (in TechMission)
as Qualifi Qualification
University
Degree
(1 year)
Level 5
Junior

28. Strategic Considerations for YWAM
 Accreditation Strategy
◦ GC4 could expand accreditation to other UofN programs that have the
strongest assessment and documentation paper trails
◦ YWAM Australia can validate and transcript other UofN credit to improve
transferability to government recognized accredited institutions
◦ Pursue vocational qualification accreditation in of your more of your training
centers where possible.
 Modular Partnership Strategy
◦ Develop “top up” degree partnerships with schools like City Vision, etc.
◦ Promote pathways to government recognized accreditation to greatly
expand UofN’s competitiveness
◦ UofN pathways can “plug in” other modules based on local needs (ThirdMil)

29. Appendix

30. About City Vision University
 TechMission (the parent organization of City Vision and GC4) is an evangelical organization with the
vision of providing radically affordable Christian education to help others make a living and a life. The
school originally grew out of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions to train rescue mission workers
and the poor before being transferred to the nonprofit ministry TechMission.
 You can read more of our story in this Christianity Today article.
 We are nationally accredited through the Distance Education Accreditation Commission, which is
recognized by the US Department of Education.
 We offer Bachelor’s degrees in Missions, Addiction Studies, Nonprofit Management, Business
(Associate’s and Bachelor’s) and a Master’s in Technology and Social Entrepreneurship.
 In the next year, we plan to also add an Associate's and Bachelor's in Christian Ministry and Leadership
and are exploring adding a Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Business Administration.
 Andrew Sears bio/background: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewsears
 City Vision Board: http://www.cityvision.edu/city-vision-college-staff-and-leadership
 City Vision Statement of Faith (required by all faculty): http://www.cityvision.edu/statement-of-faith

31. Outline of Free Course in Disruptive Innovation in Higher Education
1. Disruptive Innovation Theory Applied to Higher Education
2. Understanding What’s Driving Change in Traditional Higher Education
3. Economics of Traditional Online Education
4. Emerging Markets and Courseware Platforms
5. Unbundling and Rebundling Strategies in Higher Education
6. Unbundling and the Changing Role of Faculty
7. Lean Startup for Education
8. Demographic and Economic Trend Analysis
9. College Access & the Race between Technology and Education
10. Change Agents & Diffusion of Innovation
Available on Udemy, iTunes U, YouTube & Slideshare
Join the Christian Higher Education Innovation Alliance email group at:
www.cheia.org

32. Questions for Discussion
Assume Christian Higher Education (CHE) is about 5% of the global market. As the global
market grows from 100 million students (5 million in CHE) in 2000 to 263 million in 2025, just to
keep pace and not lose market share, CHE would need to grow globally to 13.25 million (163%
growth)…
What role can we play to help global CHE grow to that level?
What would we have to do differently?
How do we take steps toward that goal?
How do we grow all components of the ecosystem?
What are other key assumptions in building an ecosystem we need to test?
Is this the best way to frame the challenge?

33. The 5,000
12 Disciples
120 Disciples
Jesus’ Tiered
Ministry Model
The 3
Disciples

34. MicroCampuses
& Unbundled Models
Alternative Credit
10-50 million
On
Campus
Christian
Higher
Education
5 million
Modular
Blended Education
5-20 million
GC4, etc.
Courseware
100’s of millions
Global Digital Ecosystem
billions
ThirdMil, MOOCS, etc.
Moonshot Vision:
25 Million Students
in Accredited Degree
Programs by 2030
(400% growth)
Christian Digital
Ecosystem

35. The Opportunity: 25 Million Students in Accredited
Christian Degree Programs By 2030 (400% growth)
Campus
5-10 million
Bachelor’s
5-20 million
Alternative Credit
10-50 million
Courseware
100’s of millions
• College Years 1-3
• Average Global Cost: $100/year
• Building on Christian and secular courseware
• Microcampus, online and mobile delivery
• Free
• First Year Bible Courses
• Christian Integration Courses
• “Secular” courseware in Christian programs
• Average Global Cost: $1,000/year
• Full range of university degrees
• Online or microcampus delivery
• Christian Use of “Secular” platforms
• Bible App & other Christian platforms
• Christian Subscription Services
• Radio/TV
• Transformational campus community
• Average Global Cost: $2,000/year
• Primary growth will be microcampuses
Christian Digital Ecosystem (Billions)
Target Market
84% of HE growth in developing countries
4.9 billion middle class by 2030

36. Mapping Best Practices for Christian Courseware
ThirdMill Harvestime Logos Mobile Open Biola Christian
University.or
g
Biblical
Training.org
BibleMesh
Multiplatform Mobile App,
LMS, Web
Web Web, Mobile Web, iTunes Mobile, Web, LMS Web, App Web
Unbundled All components Yes No Some
components
No. Bundled with
Our Daily Bread
No. Bundled as
course
No. Bundled as
course
Open License Yes, not
Creative
Commons
Yes No Creative
Commons
No No No
Delivery
Methods
Online, Blended,
Less Designed
for Offline
Blended,
Offline, Not
effective online
No Online Online Online Online
Course
Solution
Yes only through
LMS
Very limited
quizzes
No No Only for fee No quizzes Yes
Standardized
Content
Moderately
standardized
Not very
standardized
Moderately
standardized
Limited packaging
as complete
courses
Standard topics.
Non-standard
lengths
Standard topics Standard topics
Affordability Free Free $300-700/course Free Free
Fee for credit
Free $50-200/course
Quality Excellent Ok Excellent Excellent Excellent Good Excellent
Languages English, Arabic,
Mandarin,
Russian, Spanish,
Indonesian
English, Chinese
French, Russian,
Sinhala, Spanish,
Tagalog, Tamil,
Thai, Urdu,
Portuguese
English English English, Spanish,
Portuguese,
Chinese, Russian,
Arabic
English, Hindi,
Swahili, Spanish,
Arabic
No exams