G EN E RA L 13 The next two decades witnessed the growing prestige of the school. Following this, academically, four distinct forward steps were taken in the field of Christian education. I N FO RM A T I O N / In 1936 the Institute applied for and received State authoriza tion for the conferring of certain degrees. Three four-year courses were then organized, leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Theo logy, Bachelor of Christian Education, and Bachelor of Sacred Music. In 1945, in an effort to extend the missionary training program of the Bible Institute, the School of Missionary Medicine was brought into being. This postgraduate year is planned as supple mentary training for missionary work and is open to graduates of any school who qualify in the spiritual, intellectual, and missionary requirements that are outlined. In the summer of 1949 another forward step was taken when, in response to repeatedly stated needs of mission boards and other Christian leaders, the school increased its faculty and enlarged its curriculum to include a Bible College with courses leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. This school is now known academically as Biola College. The most recent expansion occurred in 1952 when, to keep Christian education in step with world missionary and evangelistic demands, the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, Incorporated, inaugu rated a standard three-year Theological Seminary with courses leading to a Bachelor of Divinity degree. This school was named Talbot Seminary in honor of Dr. Louis T. Talbot, who held the office of President from 1938 to 1952 and who still serves the school in the capacity of Chancellor. To meet the demands imposed by the growing student body and the enlarged curriculum a campus site of seventy acres was pur chased in La Mirada, twenty-two miles east of Los Angeles civic center. From the small beginning of one course of study to four distinct but related schools on an enlarged campus, the story is one of steady growth and expansion. The present organization provides for a President over the whole, with a Dean over each of the four schools, one of which, Biola College, presents this catalog. THE COMMUNITY OF LA MIRADA The community of La Mirada is in Los Angeles County, twenty two miles south-east of the city of Los Angeles. It lies near the center of Southern California's fastest growing area, surrounded by such cities as Whittier, Norwalk, Buena Park, Anaheim, and Fullerton. La Mirada is a planned residential community with a present population of approximately 25,000. Included within the community are two major shopping centers in addition to many other business establishments scattered throughout the area.
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