Academic History

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Last updated: Dec 09, 2014

Academic History

The Bible Institute's course offerings have shifted drastically throughout its first century.

Timeline

1908: Bible Institute of Los Angeles founded

1921: Three-year Courses introduced

1936: Four-year Courses introduced

____: School of Arts and Sciences

1945: School of Missionary Medicine

1952: Talbot Theological Seminary

1972: BIOLA receives college accreditation

1977: Rosemead Graduate School of Professional Psychology

1981: Biola College becomes Biola University

1983: School of Intercultural Studies and World Missions

1993: School of Business

1994: School of Continuing Studies

1996: Torrey Honors Institute

2006: School of Business renamed Crowell School of Business

2009: School of Intercultural Studies renamed Cook School of Intercultural Studies

1908-1920: Two-Year Courses

To see the comprehensive course list for these years, click here.

In the 1912 Catalogue, the following criteria were given for earning one's diploma:

"The diploma of the Institute is awarded to a student under the following conditions:

  1. Two years residence in the Institute.
  2. Satisfactory standing in the examinations.
  3. Credible evidence of genuine Christian character, consecration, and fitness for Christian work."Catalogue, 1912, p. 33

1909

Directors

Faculty

  • W. E. Blackstone, Dean
  • T. C. Horton
  • Rev. R. A. Hadden
  • Rev. J. H. Sammis

Special Lecturers

Department Superintendents

Assistants

  • Mrs. Jno. Lowe
  • Miss Amy Rice
  • Mrs. G. A. Neth
  • Miss Mary G. Cogswell
  • Mrs. E. Covey
  • Miss Liela Easley
  • Miss Lillian Wood

Class Work

  • Christian Doctrines
  • Church History
  • Bible Books
  • Analysis
  • Chapter Study
  • Practical Work
  • Missions

1920 Enrollment Report

  • Day Classes
    • Total number of students enrolled since beginning ...................1357
    • Total number of students enrolled during 1920 by terms--
      • Winter Term...............................................................346
      • Spring Term...............................................................338
      • Fall Term...................................................................461
        • Total...............................................................4445
    • Individuals enrolled during the year.........................................635
    • Total number of new students enrolled during the year...............343
  • Evening Classes
    • Students enrolled during 1920................................................265
    • Students graduated in 1920.....................................................7
      • The Evening School students came from 23 religious denominations, 54 professions and occupations, and 21 different nationalities.
  • Correspondence Classes
    • Students enrolled during 1920................................................590
    • Students graduated in 1920....................................................18
    • Total enrollment since organization of Correspondence School....1179The King's Business, Vol. 12.5, May 1921, p. 445.

1921-1935: Three-Year Courses Introduced

To see the comprehensive course list for these years, click here.

In the 1922 Bulletin, the following criteria were given for earning one's diploma:

"Diplomas will be granted upon the following conditions:

  1. Two years residence in Los Angeles, and attendance upon the prescribed classes. Due Credit will be allowed for work done in our Correspondence School, or in other institutions, which is similar or equivalent to that offered by the Institute. The amount of credit will be decided by the teacher in the particular course in question.
  2. The maintenance of a consistent Christian character, such maintenance to be decided by the faculty of the Institute.
  3. Commendable zeal in practical Christian work.
  4. Proficiency in English, proven by the presentation of a satisfactory graduating thesis, and by a public address
  5. Passing grades in the courses of study. The passing grade in all studies is 75. Students receiving less than this mark must take the work over again, or offer a special examination as the teacher in the particular course may designate.
  6. Soundness in doctrine, to be determined by the faculty."Bulletin, July 1922, pp. 66-67

1936-1971: Four-Year Courses Introduced

To see the comprehensive course list for these years, click here.

1972-1980: Biola as a College

To see the comprehensive degree list for these years, click here.

1981-2009: The University

To see the comprehensive degree list for these years, click here.

Biola has undergone multiple transformations throughout its decades. In 2008, the year in which it celebrated its first hundred years, its Course Catalog included this explanation of its current vision:

The Mission of Biola University
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 Vision
Biola’s vision for the future provides a vivid mental image that has been developed by considering the University’s rich heritage, its stated mission and the current cultural and internal landscape. From this vision, the specific plans and initiatives flow that will bring to life the purposes that God has set in the hearts of its leadership. When used to its fullest, a vision helps an organization to focus its energies and resources on those endeavors that best support the goals, ideas or objectives that it hopes to accomplish.

Vision
Biola University’s vision is to be an exemplary Christian university characterized as a community of grace that promotes and inspires personal life transformation in Christ, which illuminates the world with His light and truth. Further, as a global center for Christian thought and an influential evangelical voice that addresses crucial cultural issues, Biola University aspires to lead, with confidence and compassion, an intellectual and spiritual renewal that advances the purpose of Christ.

The Goals of the University
The University seeks to educate Christian men and women in undergraduate and graduate programs to produce thinking Christians who:

  • Are broadly educated with a biblical foundation and worldview.
    • Appreciate with discernment the breadth of ideas and creative expressions that have shaped humanity.
    • Apply critical thinking in order to:
      • reason logically,
      • use a broad range of investigative approaches, and
      • exercise faith appropriately in the process of critical thinking.
    • Communicate and defend their ideas on the basis of evidence.
    • Hold and apply a biblically-based system of values and beliefs.
    • Develop a commitment to cross-cultural understanding and engagement in order to function and serve in a diverse world.
    • Seek to view themselves and others as God does.
    • Participate in service and experiential learning opportunities.
  • Demonstrate competence in the set of knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to their fields and levels of study.
    • Demonstrate competence in written and oral expression, observing the conventions of their discipline.
    • Integrate major fields of study with a biblical worldview.
    • Apply ethical principles that are consistent with biblical values
  • Understand and apply biblical knowledge.
    • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Bible.
    • Understand the historical roots of the Christian faith and its relevance to contemporary civilization.
    • Appropriate biblical knowledge as the foundation for continued character development and formation in the image of Christ.
  • Articulate and live out a biblical worldview.
    • Engage the world of ideas.
    • Engage their vocations as faithful stewards of God’s calling.
    • Live with integrity.
    • Serve the body of Christ and others as Christ served.
    • Carry out Christ’s commission to make disciples of all nations.
    • Live as responsible citizens.Biola University: 2007-2009 Catalog, pp 2-3.

From this, one can see that Biola has migrated from the strict "Bible only" policy guiding the Institute in its early years. Nevertheless, Biola the University has faithfully retained a whole-hearted desire to train its students in the way and will of God, equipping them to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ.

References

Resources

"1909 Bible Institute of Los Angeles" Archives

"Prospectus: Bible Institute of Los Angeles" (1910?) Archives

Catalogue of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles 1912 Archives

Catalogue of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles 1914 Archives

Bible Institute of Los Angeles Bulletin (Volume 2, Number 1), January 1917 Archives

Bible Institute of Los Angeles Bulletin (Volume 5, Number 4), October 1920 Archives

Bible Institute of Los Angeles Bulletin (Volume 7, Number 3), July 1922 Archives

Bible Institute of Los Angeles Bulletin (Volume 8, Number 1), January, 1923 Archives

Bible Institute of Los Angeles Bulletin (Volume 12, Number 3), July, 1927 Archives

Bible Institute of Los Angeles Bulletin July, 1928 Archives

Bible Institute of Los Angeles Bulletin July, 1929 (Second Edition) Archives

Bible Institute of Los Angeles Bulletin 1930-31 Archives

Bible Institute of Los Angeles Bulletin 1931-32 Archives

Biola College Catalog 1952-1956

Biola College Catalog 1958-1964

Biola College Catalog 1964-1969

Biola College Catalog 1966-1973

Biola College Catalog 1973-1976

Biola College Catalog 1976-1980

Biola University Catalog 1980-1984

Biola University Catalog 1984-1986

Biola University Catalog 1987-1991

Biola University Catalog 1991-1995

Biola University: Catalogs 1995-1998

Biola University Catalog 1998-2001

Biola Catalog 2001-2005

Biola University: 2003-2005 Catalog

Biola University: 2005-2007 Catalog

Biola University: 2007-2009 Catalog