Providence Christian College is a WASC accredited four-year liberal arts college in Pasadena, California. Founded in 2005, it is an independent, confessionally Reformed college with no formal denominational ties.
The official website states, "The mission of Providence Christian College as a Reformed Christian institution is to equip students to be firmly grounded in biblical truth, thoroughly educated in the liberal arts, and fully engaged in their church, their community, and the world for the glory of God and for service to humanity."
Providence offers a major in Liberal Studies with concentrations in Biblical Studies, Biblical Languages, Communication Arts, Education, English, History, Humanities, Health Sciences, Psychology, Social Sciences, Fine Arts, Visual & Performing Arts, and Business, Economics & Society.
On March 22, 2014, Jim Belcher was appointed as the third president of Providence Christian College. He was preceded by J. Derek Halvorson who served as the second president of Providence from October 2009 to June 2012. He succeeded founding president James Den Ouden (2005รข€"2009).
History
On several occasions, as early as the 1960s, discussions were held about establishing a Reformed Christian College on the West Coast. In November 2001 a small group met in Chino, California to consider the feasibility of such a college, and unanimously agreed to establish a quality four-year liberal arts program that would in all aspects of its life and learning seek to reflect a Reformed Biblical perspective.
The group also agreed that the college should be governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Directors drawn from various Reformed and Presbyterian churches. The college has no denominational affiliation, but does hold to Presbyterian and Reformed confessional standards (the Westminster Confession and Catechisms, the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort).
Providence Christian College was incorporated in the state of California on November 12, 2002, and the first board meeting was held on January 18, 2003. On January 1, 2004 Providence took full possession of a campus in Ontario, California, and began renovating its five main buildings into classrooms, dorms, a library, a dining hall, and administrative offices.
Accreditation
Providence Christian College was granted permission to operate as a degree granting institution in the state of California on December 9, 2004 by the Bureau for Private Post-Secondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE). Immediately following approval by the BPPVE, Providence Christian College began the process of seeking eligibility by Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
The college is a member of IAPCHE: the International Association for the Promotion of Christian Higher Education and has applied for accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. In February 2009, the college was recognized by the WASC commission as a Candidate for Accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities.
In March 2013, Providence received initial accreditation with WASC.
Facilities
In August 2010, Providence moved from Ontario, California to Pasadena, California. The Providence Christian College library holds approximately 12,000 volumes and 100 periodical subscriptions, with student access to an additional 5,500 online periodicals (many full text), 2,500 electronic books, 52 other scholarly databases through online subscriptions.
The college resides on the campus of William Carey International University, which it also shares with the U.S. Center for World Mission. The 17.5-acre residential college campus sits in the East Washington Village neighborhood on the north side of Pasadena, California, in close proximity to the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and the Angeles National Forest.
References
External links
- Providence Christian College website
