Biola University 2014–15 Catalog
G eneral I nformation Carrying on a tradition of educational excellence that dates back over 100 years, Biola University now encompasses: the School of Arts and Sciences, Talbot School of Theology, Rosemead School of Psychology, the Cook School of Intercultural Studies, the Crowell School of Business, and the School of Education. Offering four baccalaureate degrees in 40 majors, 20 masters and eight doctoral degrees, Biola’s commitment to academic excellence is firmly rooted in its adherence to an in-depth, knowledgeable and living Christianity. Each year, over 6,300 students find Biola’s unique blend of faith and learning conducive to their academic and vocational goals. Historical Sketch The cornerstone of the original Bible Institute building in Los Angeles was laid on May 31, 1913, and dedicated with these words: “For the teaching of the truths for which the Institute stands, its doors are to be open every day of the year, and all people, without reference to race, color or class will ever be welcome to its privileges.” Spoken by Lyman Stewart, cofounder of the Institute and cofounder of the Union Oil Company, these words capture the vision of Biola’s founders. Stewart, together with T.C. Horton, initiated the Bible Institute, with the first permanent organization taking shape in 1908. By 1912, the school had grown sufficiently in its outreach and constituency to call R.A. Torrey, a leader in the field of Christian education, as the first dean. The next nine decades have witnessed tremendous growth in the development and outreach of the school. Under the leadership of Dr. Louis T. Talbot, president from 1932 to 1935 and again from 1938 to 1952, the Bible Institute program became a four-year course, leading to degrees in theology, Christian education, and sacred music. The School of Missionary Medicine was created in 1945, laying the foundation for Biola’s current baccalaureate nursing program. In 1949, the Bible Institute was renamed Biola College. Dr. Samuel H. Sutherland became president in 1952, and with his leadership the college obtained regional and professional accreditation. Additionally, many new programs of study were introduced, including Talbot Theological Seminary. The demands imposed by the growing student body and the enlarged curriculum prompted the purchase of a 75-acre site in La Mirada. Biola moved to the new site in 1959. Dr. Sutherland retired as president in 1970, but continued to lend leadership as a member of Biola’s Board of Trustees. That same year, Dr. J. Richard Chase became Biola’s sixth president. In 1977, the graduate programs of Rosemead Graduate School of Professional Psychology were acquired by Biola and relocated on the La Mirada campus. The undergraduate programs in psychology were merged with Rosemead’s graduate programs in the fall of 1981, forming the present Rosemead School of Psychology. Under the leadership of Dr. J. Richard Chase, Biola College became Biola University on July 1, 1981. The University was composed of the School of Arts and Sciences, Talbot Theological Seminary and Rosemead School of Psychology. Dr. Clyde Cook became the seventh president of Biola on June 1, 1982. Under his leadership, the School of Intercultural Studies was instituted as part of the University in 1983. Talbot Theological Seminary became Talbot School of Theology in the fall of 1983 as a result of the merger between the appropriate undergraduate and graduate level programs. The Board approved the establishment of the School of Business in 1993, the School of Continuing Studies in 1994, now called the School of Professional Studies (which was discontinued in 2013) and the School of Education in 2007. These six schools now compose the academic structure of Biola University. On May 11, 2007, the Board selected the University’s eighth president, Dr. Barry H. Corey, to lead Biola into its second century.
Because of the University’s heritage and commitment, its academic basis is broader than that of the standard college of arts and sciences. Terminal and preparatory programs lead to service in church-related vocations and the many other vocations and professions embraced by the present curricula. In addition, the University is a Christian institution of higher education without any denominational affiliation. From an institute to a university, Biola’s cornerstone has remained the same: commitment to Jesus Christ, the inerrancy of Scripture and biblical Christianity (within an evangelical Protestant framework), as well as to the spiritual, academic and holistic growth of those who are personally committed to Him. The University’s Mission The mission of Biola University is biblically centered education, scholarship and service—equipping men and women in mind and character to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. The University’s Vision The vision of Biola University is to be identified among the world’s foremost Christ-centered universities—a community abiding in truth, abounding with grace, and compelled by Christ’s love to be a relevant and redemptive voice in a changing world. The University’s Values Truth We believe that there is truth; it is knowable and revealed in God’s inerrant Word. As a result we can live with unshakeable confidence and hope knowing that the Bible and God’s truth have direct application to our lives, our work, our relationships and the culture around us. We believe that holding a biblical worldview is foundational to understanding life and Truth. God has equipped us to uphold truth and sustain community at Biola through Christ-centered and Spirit-led education, scholarship and service that is grounded in Scripture and challenges our community to seek and integrate biblical principles into our fields of study. We believe that all we do should be Christ-centered and based on the teachings of Jesus. Christ provided the best model for how to live and following Him is a way of life that when followed to its fullest expression will impact how we live and the choices we make. Transformation We believe that participating in a Christian community of grace is important in the life of the believer. Our identity as children of the Triune God lies in our lives lived in and through community, holistic relationships, mutual interdependence upon the Indwelling Spirit and members of the Body and seeking the unity of the Spirit. We believe that through the renewing of the mind and care of the body we prepare our students to live within the culture in a loving and Christ-honoring way. Through a rigorous, Christ-centered and Spirit-led education we enable our students to grapple with and engage in the spiritual, intellectual, ethical and cultural issues of our time, their implications and application to everyday life. We believe that through community and dependence upon the Spirit character is sharpened and we grow in our ability to live our lives as the Lord Jesus Christ would. Interactions with fellow Christians provide one of the essential means of character development in the life of the believer. We believe that integrity and authenticity should be hallmarks of every believer. Our relationships should be models of transparency, truth-telling and unwavering commitment to the example set by the Lord Jesus Christ. Testimony We believe that we exist to serve God and His Great Commission in reaching the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. As Christ-followers, we are His light to a dark world and it is our duty and privilege to make disciples. We believe that God uses the faculty, staff, students and alumni to accomplish His plans. As servant leaders, each person who is part of
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