Applicant Questions

When can I register for classes?

Your Admissions Counsellor will notify you when registration opens, typically in early July. Please note that students must pay the tuition deposit indicated on their acceptance letter before registration in their first year courses can occur.

When do I need to arrive?

All new students should arrive between 10 AM and 12 PM on the first day of Orientation. For more information, please contact your Admissions Counsellor.

Does Prairie offer a shuttle service to and from Calgary International Airport?

Prairie offers a shuttle service for new students at the beginning of the school year. New students needing a shuttle for the beginning of the year need to contact their Admissions Counsellor. For Christmas break shuttles, students need to contact our campus receptionist, Val Leuf (val.leuf@prairie.edu). Christmas shuttles cost $50 one way and $85 return.

What are Prairie's admissions requirements?

Please see our Admissions page for details.

What are the local churches around Prairie?

Three Hills has a variety of churches in the area, with a wide range of denominations. These include Anglican, Evangelical Free, Baptist, Mennonite Brethren, Alliance, Evangelical Missionary, and several non/inter-denominational congregations. Please contact our Admissions department if you have any questions regarding churches in the area.

What does the meal plan include?

The meal plan is required for all of our students that live in residence.  You have an option of a 7 day plan or a 5 day plan (Sunday supper through Friday lunch).  Tasty and healthy food is served in our spacious dining room, buffet style.  Daily offerings includes soup, salad bar, make your own sandwich bar, regular pizza options, as well as a meat and vegetarian hot option, desserts and a variety of drink options.

The dining hall is very accommodating to the dietary needs of students with allergies or special dietary restrictions.


Meal Times are:

 

Monday to Friday 

  • Breakfast – 7:30 am to 9:00 am
  • Lunch – 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
  • Supper – 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm


Saturday, Sunday & Holidays

  • Breakfast – 8:00 am to 9:00 am
  • Lunch – 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • Supper – 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
How do I apply to Prairie?

Applying to Prairie is simple. You can go HERE and fill out our online application. The application fee is $50 for domestic students and $100 for international students. Once you have completed the application form, an Admissions Counsellor will be in touch with you regarding the next steps in the application process.

Is there access to phone and internet in the dorm?

Students have access to Prairie’s wireless internet throughout campus, including dorms. This cost is covered by the college service fees that are paid each semester. Each floor within the dorm also has a phone that allows students to make free local calls and can be used for long-distance calls with the assistance of calling cards.

How do I schedule a visit?

You can register online for Prairie Campus Visits and Preview Days. We offer three Preview Days throughout the school year where students are able to come and experience a day in the life of a student at Prairie. If you are unable to make one of these dates, we also offer personalized visits which can be booked Monday – Friday.

How much is tuition?

Tuition for the current year is $369/credit hour, as well as a college service fee of $30/credit hour. These numbers are subject to change and will be given to the public each spring for the upcoming year. You can find more information on Student Finances here.

What do I need to bring?

Students will need to arrive with a number of different items depending on which program they are enrolled in. There is a list of items that are standard for all students which can be found on the Housing page.

Please contact your Admissions Counsellor or program director to see if there are additional items you need to bring for your specific program.

What kinds of on-campus jobs are available for students?

Several opportunities are offered for student employment on Prairie’s campus. Departments such as food services, custodial, and library services have openings each year that students are able to apply for. Please contact the Admissions department for more information on student employment as well as contacts for each department.

What does a Prairie dorm room look like?

Prairie dorm rooms are designed with two 6 foot beds along with cupboards, desk, shelves, and closet space. The rooms have plenty of space for a student to store their clothes, books, any entertainment devices, as well as suitcases or special items (ex. sports equipment, instruments, snowboards). First year students are expected to share a room unless they choose to live in a room by themselves at an additional cost. Pictures of Prairie dorm rooms can be viewed on our Housing page.

How can I apply for student family housing?

To apply for off-campus student housing, go to Housing page. There is a housing application at the bottom of the page which needs to be filled out and returned. Please note that Prairie housing is prioritized for student families and will be given to them before staff and single students.

Is chapel required for Prairie students?

Chapel is a foundational part of student life at Prairie and is something students are expected to attend. This is outlined in the Community Covenant which each student is required to sign before attending.
Chapel occurs at 10:00 AM, Monday and Tuesday.

Where is Three Hills?

Prairie is located in the community of Three Hills, located Northeast of Calgary, Alberta (75 minute drive from the Calgary International Airport) and close to 400 kilometers (250 miles) north of the U.S. (Montana) border. We are also a 2.5 hour drive from the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Click here for a map.

What are Prairie's lifestyle expectations?

Students are expected to live a Christian life, with values grounded in Scripture. Each member of our community, including our staff and faculty, is required to sign the Community Covenant which encompasses these values and lifestyle. The Community Covenant can be found here under the Community Lifestyle Agreement heading. Students are encouraged to read this before attending Prairie.

When is the last day of classes for each semester?

The last day of class for each semester fluctuates from year to year. Specific dates can be found in the current year’s academic calendar. Students living in residence are required to vacate their rooms within 24 hours of their last exam of each semester. Exceptions can be made by the Director of Student Development if needed.

How do I apply for financial assistance?

Prairie is pleased to offer Financial Aid to all of our students. All students are encouraged to fill out a financial aid application. This form allows students to apply for scholarships that range from $200 – $2000. The deadline for students to submit their Financial Aid Application is June 1st.

Are all the faculty and instructors Christian at Prairie?

Yes, all staff hired by Prairie are very carefully screened and selected to be here. Part of the selection process is demonstrating a mature and committed walk of faith as a Christian. This is especially true for positions where staff or faculty members have influence on students

We do have partner organizations (Red Deer Polytechnic, for example) who make their own hiring policies and decisions. These providers are very respectful of our faith position and choose instructors that would not disrupt our faith community, but we cannot guarantee the same level of commitment to the Christian faith and our Statement of Faith as with our full time faculty.

How much Bible will I take?

Each student is required to take Bible and theology – the amount depends on the length of their program. For example, every student in any of our four-year degree programs will study the entire Bible (cover to cover, all 66 books) in 7 courses (averaging one per semester). They will also take another 4 courses of theology, apologetics and Christian living. These 11 courses are considered “core” and are required of all students (they will take a total of 40 courses to complete their degree). The shorter programs (1 and 2-year programs) have a similar proportion of Bible/theology to complement their professional studies.

Campus Support

Our campus is well equipped with a variety of services to support the health and wellness of the whole student body:

  • Student success lab (academic)
  • Low cost counselling services
  • Accessibility support
  • Financial aid
  • Campus security
  • Food services
  • Prayer room & prayer team
  • Spiritual direction
  • Student union
  • Abuse awareness education

Canada & United States Application

Fall 2024 (September start), Winter 2025 (January start), and Online Education (start anytime) applications are open. 

International Student Application

Prairie welcomes applications from individuals all around the world! To begin the International Student Application please click the link below. 

Master's Application

If you are applying for the Master of Christian Ministry Leadership or the Master of Global Christian Educational Leadership please click the link below. 

Information Request

Tell us a bit about yourself and an admissions representative will be in touch shortly!

Here are key opportunities you can partner with Prairie

We have launched our Campaign for Greater Impact to provide students with the very best learning opportunities and campus facilities for the decades ahead. 

In Phase One of this Campaign, we plan to invest in much-needed campus renewal, including: upgraded Infrastructure, a new Student Residence, Cafeteria, Worship Auditorium, and expanded Aviation Training Centre. A modern campus requires an investment that is bold, and even expensive, but each Campaign Project is strategic, and designed to enhance Prairie’s campus and student life experience.

Expansion of Prairie Aviation Training Centre

This expansion of PATC’s facility is a key project of Prairie’s Campaign for Greater Impact. It will increase the College’s capacity to train a new generation of Christian aviators to serve God in missions, and also address the growing need for trained pilots in the commercial aviation sector.

Scholarships & Education Fund

Invest in the next generation of missional professionals. Each year Prairie College distributes over $500,000 in scholarships and bursaries to students. We are grateful for each gift that reduces the burden of students’ tuition and allows students to fulfill their God-given professions.

Prison Bible Encounter Program

Encourage inmates in five institutions across Alberta to discover or reconnect with Jesus Christ. This fund assists the students studying the Certificate in Bible program with scholarships, resources for classes, and instruction. 

General Ministries

Prairie College is educating students to pursue a Biblical foundation for life and career.  Your contribution to this fund assists in minimizing the College’s general operating expenses.  

To allocate your gift, please select one of the donation buttons below.