The University

History

On September 18, 1950, the Los Angeles Southern Baptist Association opened the doors of California Baptist College in El Monte to students who came seeking a liberal arts education in a Christian environment. The college began operations with 42 students in Fall 1950; 120 were enrolled during the 1950-51 academic year.

In 1955, after four years of continued growth, the college relocated to larger facilities in Riverside. Growth in all areas paved the way for the institution to become a university on September 25, 1998.

Location and Environment

Riverside is located in the Los Angeles Basin, sixty miles east of downtown L.A. Freeways lead into Riverside from every direction, and the area is served by international airports in nearby Ontario and Los Angeles.

California Baptist University is surrounded by cultural and scientific opportunities for student of all interests, and the proximity of other colleges and universities makes possible inter-library and inter-cultural exchanges.

Mission Statement

The primary purpose of this corporation is to conduct regular four-year college courses in education, music, sciences and the liberal arts, and to grant certificates, diplomas and any and all degrees evidencing completion of any course of training, together with any and all honorary degrees and to provide training for Baptist youth and others desiring to be affiliated with Baptist theology and theological instruction and such other instruction as may be needful and advantageous in preparing and qualifying ministers and others for Christian work.¹

Philosophy Statement

California Baptist University is a Christian liberal arts institution founded by Southern Baptists to serve the world. As such, the university community provides an accepting, caring Christian atmosphere in which the growth of individuals is enhanced by spiritual formation, personal development, vocational preparation, and a sound, academic, liberating education. In the midst of the pursuit of truth, individuals are encouraged to investigate, practice, and refine their aesthetic, moral, social, and spiritual values in order to prepare themselves to make substantial contributions to the cause of Christ as skilled professionals, thinking citizens, and educated persons.

Goals

To implement its philosophy, the university strives:

1. To reflect, in life and thought, historic Southern Baptist principles, such as:
   1. The Lordship of Jesus Christ.
   2. The competency of the individual soul before God.
   3. The Scriptures as the authoritative guide for doctrine and practice.
   4. The separation of Church and State.
   5. The autonomy of the local church.
2. To help students observe and interact with a community that effectively models Christian characteristics and values.
3. To offer a selection of programs that will attract a wide range of qualified students.
4. To encourage a free exchange of ideas by providing a wide variety of spiritual, intellectual, cultural, and social learning experiences both within and outside the classroom.
5. To encourage high standards of scholarship.
6. To provide support for students experiencing academic and personal difficulties.
7. To encourage each member of the university community to be involved in a lifelong, personal Christian pilgrimage.
8. To enable its educators to engage in continuing professional development.
9. To develop mature individuals of genuine Christian character who can contribute to churches and effect changes in society for its betterment.
10. To develop specific leadership for the churches and general work of the Southern Baptist Convention.

University Student Outcomes

California Baptist University desires that each student acquire certain knowledge, skills, values, and aspirations during their collegiate experience. The University seeks to provide academic programs that prepare students for professional careers, as well as co-curricular programs that foster an environment supporting the intellectual, physical, social and spiritual development of each student. Within these arenas of the student experience, the University, through its faculty and administration, has identified student outcomes as desirable and reflective of the impact it seeks to have in the lives of its students.

Upon completion of a degree program, each student at California Baptist University shall be:

Biblically Rooted

• Demonstrate spiritual literacy, including Biblical Christian faith and practice, Baptist perspectives, and the Christian’s role in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Globally Minded

• Respect diverse religious, cultural, philosophical, and aesthetic experiences and perspectives.

Academically Prepared

• Use critical thinking skills to demonstrate literacy: listening, speaking, writing, reading, viewing, and visual representing.
• Demonstrate competence in mathematical, scientific and technological skills.

Equipped to Serve

• Transfer academic studies to a profession and the workplace.
• Implement a personal and social ethic that results in informed participation in multiple levels of community.

Council for Christian Colleges & Universities

California Baptist University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, a consortium of 109 private liberal arts Christian colleges and universities in North America and 75 affiliate institutions in 24 countries. Membership in CCCU provides CBU students access to numerous off-campus learning opportunities: an American Studies program in Washington, D.C.; a Contemporary Music Program, a Latin American studies program in Costa Rica; the Los Angeles Film Studies Center; the Washington Journalism Center; and an increasing number of overseas travel programs.

American Studies Program (ASP)

Founded in 1976, the American Studies Program has served hundreds of students from member institutions as a “Washington, D.C. campus.” ASP uses Washington as a stimulating educational laboratory where collegians gain hands-on experience with an internship in their chosen field. Internships are tailored to fit the student’s talents and aspirations and are available in a wide range of fields. They also explore pressing national and international issues in public policy seminars that are issue-oriented, interdisciplinary and led by ASP faculty and Washington professionals. Through interdisciplinary reflection on public life and vocation, practical marketplace experiences and community living, the purpose of the program is to create an atmosphere for students: first, to develop an appreciation for how the integral character of biblical faith relates to thinking critically about public policy and marketplace issues, and second, to nurture a desire to take up responsible Christ-centered service in their personal and public vocations, whatever their career paths or walks of life. The mission of the program is to help students gain an integral biblical faith for thinking critically about public affairs and for responding faithfully in vocational service.

China Studies Program (CSP)

The China Studies Program introduces students to the diversity of China, including Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an and Xiamen. This interdisciplinary, cross-cultural program enables students to deal with this increasingly important part of the world in an informed, Christ-centered way.

Contemporary Music Program (CMP)

The Contemporary Music Program provides students the opportunity to live and work in community while seeking to understand how God will have them integrate music, faith and business. Both interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary in nature, the CMP offers two tracks: the Artist Track and the Executive Track. The Artist Track is tailored to students considering careers as vocalists, musicians, songwriters, recording artists, performers, producers, and recording engineers. The Executive Track is designed for business, arts management, marketing, communications and other majors interested in possible careers as artist managers, agents, record company executives, music publishers, concert promoters and entertainment industry entrepreneurs. Both Artist and Executive track students receive instruction, experience and a uniquely Christian perspective on creativity and the marketplace, while working together to create and market a recording of original music. Both tracks include course work, labs, directed study and a practicum.

Latin American Studies Program (LASP)

Students of CCCU colleges have the opportunity to live and learn in Latin America through the Latin American Studies Program based in San Jose, Costa Rica. The program introduces students to as wide a range of experiences through the study of the language, literature, culture, politics, history, economics, ecology and religion of the region. Living with a Costa Rican family, students experience and become a part of the day-to-day lives of typical Latin Americans. Students also take part in a service opportunity and travel for three weeks to nearby Central American nations. Students participate in one of four concentrations: Latin American Studies; Advanced Language and Literature; International Business and Management; and Tropical Sciences.

Los Angeles Film Studies Center (LAFSC)

The Los Angeles Film Studies Center is designed to train students of CCCU member institutions to serve in various aspects of the film industry with both professional skill and Christian integrity. Students live, learn and work in the L.A. area near major motion picture studios. The curriculum consists of two required seminars focusing on the role of film in culture and the relationship of faith to work in this very influential industry. In addition, students choose two elective courses from a variety of offerings in film studies. Internships in various segments of the film industry provide students with hands-on experience. The combination of the internship and seminars allow students to explore the film industry within a Christian context and from a liberal arts perspective.

Middle East Studies Program (MESP)

This program, based in Cairo, Egypt, allows Council students to explore and interact with the complex and strategic world of the modern Middle East. The interdisciplinary seminars give students the opportunity to explore the diverse religious, social, cultural and political traditions of Middle Eastern people. MESP encourages and equips students to relate to the Muslim world in an informed, constructive and Christ-centered manner at a time of tension and change.

Russian Studies Program (RSP)

RSP students are exposed to the depth and diversity of the culture during a semester spent in Russia’s three largest cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg and Nizhni Novgorod. In addition to three seminar courses students receive instruction in the Russian Language. Students also participate in a service opportunity in Nizhni Novgorod.

Scholars Semester in Oxford

Honors and other highly qualified students have the exciting opportunity to study in England through this interdisciplinary semester in Oxford. The rigorous academic program, aimed at increasing critical thinking skills and scholarship from an integrated Christian perspective, allows participants to choose from a wide variety of tutorial study programs in numerous disciplines, including the arts, religion, history, literature and philosophy.

Summer Programme - CMRS, Oxford

This programme is designed to enable students to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between Christianity and Culture and to do specialized work under Oxford academics. The challenges are many, the work intense, the material difficult and the culture unique. But the opportunity - to study in the Bodleian library, worship in Christchurch Cathedral, and debate interesting topics with world-renowned scholars, is beyond comprehension.

Uganda Studies Program - Uganda Christian University

This program offers students the opportunity to study at one of the best private institutions in East Africa. While students have many diverse opportunities to interact with peers and local Ugandans, classes give students a chance to learn the culture of the people who will be hosts, neighbors and friends for the semester. Students choose courses which deal with different aspects of African culture including history, politics, religions, and literature. Throughout the semester, students explore issues of cross cultural life and use the unique perspective of living in Uganda to take a fresh look at our American Christianity.

Washington Journalism Center

This program is an advanced, experiential semester on Capital Hill that will cultivate professional news skills and encourage students to think through the implications of being a Christian working in the news media in a city that is home to the powerful and the powerless. This mission of the program is for students to grow through the practice of real-world journalism. Students will function as professional journalists living and working in the city and be required to meet deadlines and hold to industry-level standards of quality. Students will also gain understanding by serving. Students live in the homes of Washington D.C. residents and address the real human needs that are so prevalent in this city.

Educational Standings

California Baptist University is incorporated under the laws of the State of California as a university of arts and sciences authorized to grant the degrees of Associate of Science, Bachelor of Applied Theology, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Computer Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering, Master of Architecture, Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Master of Music, Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Health, Master of Science, Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Social Work, Doctor of Business Administration, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Psychology and Doctor of Public Administration.

California Baptist University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)* and abides by WSCUC Policy on Substantive Change and the Policy on Distance and Technology-Mediated Instruction. The School of Business and the Division of Online and Professional Studies is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP); the School of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM); through the School of Behavioral Sciences the counseling psychology degree program is accredited by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS); through the College of Engineering the chemical engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical and computer engineering degree programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org and the construction management program is accredited through the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE); through the Department of Kinesiology the athletic training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE); through the College of Nursing the nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

California Baptist University is approved for teacher education by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing for baccalaureate and entry level master programs in registered nursing.

The University also holds memberships in the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities, the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, the Service Members Opportunity Colleges, and the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education.

Graduates of California Baptist University are earning advanced degrees in leading colleges, universities, and seminaries of the United States. All women graduates are eligible for membership in the American Association of University Women. Accreditation letters may be viewed in the Office of the Provost.

 ¹ Articles of Incorporation of The California Baptist College, 1954.