What does Heritage offer in their programs that other schools don't?

Heritage offers quite a bit of practical work in all of our programs of study. In the first two years, you must do four Field Education courses in your area of interest. These field eds will include spiritual gift and personality testing as well as additional assignments to help you learn all you can about different ministry areas and your ministry suitability. Another difference in our programs is mentorship. You will have a personal supervisor and ministry supervisor and you will meet with each for one hour per week. They will help you grow both personally and into your ministry. In your final year, you are required to complete an internship in which you will actually work for 240 hours in an organization that you would be interested in working at in the future. In the Internship program, you will set the goals for yourself in several different areas, and will be responsible to record your growth in all of those areas. This is one of the best things about Heritage – we are all about catering your education to your needs. 

Could you tell me more about your field education program?

The great thing about our field education program is that it is tailored to your needs and interests. You may choose to work at any field placement, which fits the requirements. Some examples of field placements: churches (youth groups, adult ministry, children's ministries), missions organizations (in a home office, or as a short term experience abroad), drop-in centres, community resource centres, women's shelters and crises pregnancy centres, and the list goes on! You are responsible to choose your placements with the help of the Field Education Department, and they should reflect your career interests. The other option for each student is to choose a field ed placement in an area they think they may be interested in - just to find out if it is the area of interest they want to pursue! Each year, Heritage hosts the Field Education and Information Fair - where you can shop around and take a look at just some of the options available for your field ed.

Is Heritage Accredited ?

Heritage is fully accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (A.B.H.E., 5575 S. Semoran Blvd., Suite 26, Orlando FL 32822-1781, U.S.A. Phone 407-207-0808).

Are Heritage professors easily accessible and approachable?

One of Heritage’s greatest assets is our professors. Their offices are only a few steps away from the classrooms, and they are always willing to chat with you, about everything from your course work to your personal life. Many high school teachers may tell you that your college profs will have nothing to do with you during your college experience – that you will be all on your own. That is definitely not the philosophy here at Heritage. They want to help you excel in every aspect, because they are not only your professors, but they are also your brothers and sisters in Christ. Visit the Faculty section of this website to learn more about our professors.

What are the specific requirements for entrance into a program at Heritage?

Degree program applicants must have completed an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (O.S.S.D.) with a minimum average of 65% including six ‘university preparatory’ Grade 12 courses.  Four of these must be “U” level courses and the other two must be either “U” or “U/C” (also referred to as “M”).  Students must have a minimum average of 60% in each eligible grade 12 course.

Ontario Academic Courses (OAC’s) or Grade 13 courses are considered equivalent courses under the former Ontario Secondary School curriculum. We suggest, at any level, that you take at least two English courses, as well as a History course. These are the same requirements for all of our programs, with the exception of the Bachelor of Church Music. Visit the Admissions section of this website to download a catalog.
 
What is the student population size?

Currently we have approximately 250 students in the college

Is your student population dominantly of Baptist background or Interdenominational?

Heritage is an interdenominational institution, and the number of denominations represented really does reflect that:
• All Baptist: 48%
• A.G.C.: 6%
• Various Brethren: 3%
• Pentecostal: 5%
• Various Mennonite: 6%
• Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, United, and Anglican: 7%
• Missionary and Other: 25%

Does Heritage offer financial aid?

We do offer several entrance scholarships, as well as returning student awards, bursaries and scholarships, and also graduating student awards. Check out the financial aid section of the website for more information.

What is Chapel like?

Our chapel sessions really vary. Sometimes, we will feature a speaker and usually in those chapels there is a short Praise and Worship session, then the speaker and a final song. Sometimes, we have entire Praise and Worship chapels, or testimony chapels. Once a month, we have class chapel, where freshmans, juniors, sophomores and seniors will get together separately for their own chapel times. 

Do you have many missions’ opportunities?

Each year, Heritage offers a missions opportunity over reading break. Some examples of places visited by our students are Mongolia, Haiti, Dominican Republic, New York, Ecuador and Brazil. If music is your thing, our choir has toured the East coast of Canada and Brazil.
 
You can also be involved in our Missions Committee - these students bring awareness to the rest of our students about the opportunities at the various agencies in Canada (which we encourage you to take part in!). Each year, the committee runs the Heritage Missions Conference, which is basically a forum for our students and others to learn about Missions and all of the different agencies. You can meet reps from dozens of agencies and attend sessions and seminars on many different missions-related topics. During Missions Conference, you will have the opportunity to learn first hand about missions by participating in mini missions trips (to Toronto, a food bank, door-to-door evangelism, etc.), and also by visiting places of worship of other faiths. Our Missions Conference is very interactive – prepare to be taken out of your comfort zone!

What kinds of clubs, sports, and other extra-curricular activities are offered at Heritage?

Heritage offers many varied extra-curricular activities. You can check out the Field Ed and Information Fair at the beginning of each year to choose all of your extracurricular activities for the year. Check out the student life section of the website.

• Athletics: Our beautiful Heritage Community Centre hosts many of the Basketball and Volleyball tournaments every year. Currently, Heritage offers mens' and womens' basketball and volleyball. We also compete in a local hockey league at an off-campus arena. Committees: Students are involved in the Athletics Committee, Activities Committee, Yearbook Committee, Outreach Committee, Missions Committee, Operations Committee and Chapel Committee - in elected or volunteer positions and all within the student government
• Outreach: There are a number of Outreach programs here at Heritage College & Seminary. STUCA (Student Cabinet) runs local outreach each year, which can include serving at a fool bank, visiting retirement homes and providing lunch runs to various schools.
• Activities: Every other Wednesday night, the Activities Committee will put on a free or close-to-free special event for all students - a chance to unwind and have some fun. The student-led Activities Committee plans regular social events and helps other groups with outreach and mission opportunities.
• Music: If you are talented musically, our Music Department offers many ways to be involved. Auditions for chapel worship teams, traveling music (or drama) teams, are held at the beginning of the academic year and require full-year commitment. The Heritage Singers (our choir) also meets every Wednesday during the year and will offer you an opportunity to travel around the country.

If the library doesn't have a book or resource that is needed, can they order it in easily and quickly?

Very rarely will our library not have what you need for your course work - they hold over 40,000 volumes and also offer an extensive and current periodical room as well as unlimited internet access in the computer lab. Go online and search Heritage library. Another exciting thing about the location of our campus is the proximity to the campuses of Wilfred Laurier, University of Waterloo and University of Guelph. These libraries are obviously an excellent source of information and are all connected through the "Telus" system. Go online, search for your required material, reserve everything you want, then pick it up at any of the libraries with your library card (obtained for free when you produce your Heritage Student Card). Since the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge all share the same bus system, it is also easy to get to Laurier and U of Waterloo. We are also very close to Hamilton, and the McMaster Divinity School and their library - also an excellent source. If all else fails, the library staff will be very helpful!

Does Heritage offer on-campus, private, beginner-to-advanced music lessons in piano, guitar, and other instruments?

Music students are required to take private lessons in their chosen instrument, and those lessons are arranged on campus for them with local teachers. If you are not a Heritage music student, but would like to take lessons with a specific teacher and they are not full with current Heritage music students, you can make arrangements with that teacher. Payment for the lessons is your responsibility.

Is there an audition to be on the praise team or choir at Heritage?

You will need to audition for any team you are interested in participating in, at the beginning of each academic year. It is not necessary to audition for choir.

Frequently Asked Residence Questions

What are the residences like?

Our residences are built in an apartment style. Up to six students may share a three bedroom apartment. Each student receives a bed, drawer and closet space, and a private desk. There is a common kitchen/dining area with room for a couch and other items. The washrooms are designed to accommodate multiple users with a separate washroom, shower room, and stand alone sink/grooming area. One unique feature of our residence is that it includes two washers and two dryers in the basement of the building, and they are not coin operated – they are free for you to use as much as you want.  
 
How much privacy is there in residence?

In rez, you will be sharing a room with one other student, and sharing an apartment with 4 - 5 other students. So, you will get as much privacy as this situation allows. You will find that our Rez application is extremely in depth and the staff will try to put you where you seem the best suited.

How do you decide on people getting into residence?

The majority of residence spots are reserved for first year students, and it is first-come, first-served! We run a waiting list every year as well.

How many people can you accommodate in residence?

We can accommodate 108 students maximum.

What is the meal plan like?

Rez apartments include a full kitchen, and there is a Zehrs directly across the street from the school (walking will take you maybe 5 minutes!). Also, each student in residence must purchase a meal plan each semester. The meal plan is an account and you can spend it the way you want to! Having a full kitchen as well as the option of a meal plan makes it very easy for you to eat on a busy schedule. Off campus students also have the option of buying the meal plan. The meal plan is put in place to provide a minimum of one healthy meal per day.  On-campus students pay at the beginning of each semester for their meal plan and records are kept at the register in the cafeteria.  All off-campus students are welcome to use the cafeteria and may pay with cash. 

What are Residence Directors (RD) and Residence Assistants (RA)?

The Residence Directors are a married couple that lives on campus.  To contact the Residence Directors click here. They oversee the RA team and residence programs such as Monday night Impact Groups.  They function as part of the Student Services team that is determined to support and guide the students of Heritage College.  Residence Assistants are also a part of the Student Services team, they provide direct guidance and security for the students in their care as well as lead the Monday night Impact Groups.

How do I apply for Residence?

In order to apply for Residence you must fill out a complete application form.  The applications are found on the Heritage Website or can be sent to you via postal mail service or e-mail.  Stage I and Stage II must be fully completed before acceptance will be granted. 

What are the rules or customs in residence?

There is a Residence handbook available to inform you of the rules and customs of residence.  The handbook can be found on the Heritage website or you may request a copy from the Residence Directors.  The handbook must be read in order to complete Stage I of your application. 

When do I find out who my roommates are?

If accepted into Residence, you will be told via postal service or e-mail who your roommates will be.  You will also receive their contact information so that you can make any necessary arrangement with them before move in day.  The information will be sent to you in mid-August.

Can I get around if I don’t have a car?

There are bus routes that move throughout Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo with several stops within a very short walk from campus.  There is a plaza including a grocery store and drug store directly across the road from the campus along with many other shopping conveniences at your fingertips.

What are some of the benefits that your Residence offers?

Our residence provides a variety of conveniences and benefits for our students.  Both residence buildings are equipped with laundry facilities that are free for our on campus students.  LAN Internet is available to all our residence students free of charge in their rooms as well as wireless internet in the Academic and Community Center buildings.  The residence buildings have security doors that can only be opened by swipe card; these security doors keep our residences safe and secure.  Residence Assistants are on-call from 4pm to 11pm, Monday to Friday and on weekends from 12pm to 6pm.  They are available for any emergencies and/or student questions, as are Residence Directors and/or Residence Support Staff.  Free parking is available for all on-campus students in the lower parking lot if it is needed.