Golden State Baptist College
Encyclopedia
Golden State Baptist College (GSBC) is an Independent Fundamental Baptist Bible college
in Santa Clara, California
, offering bachelor's degree
s and master's degree
programs in fields related to Christian ministry
. Jack Trieber, pastor of the North Valley Baptist Church, is the school's chancellor.
as pastors, assistants, missionaries, teachers, musicians, and the financial side of the Christian ministry. Bachelor's degrees are offered in pastoral theology, pastoral assistant, missions, Christian ministries, music education, Christian education (elementary and secondary), and secretarial science. Master's degree programs are also offered.
. Thus, it is not accredited by any recognized accreditation body. As such, its degrees may not be acceptable to some employers or educational institutions.
The General Information section highlights more rules for students. It states that "the activities on campus, the dormitory life, and the entire program of the college require the full participation and cooperation of every student." Students must attend North Valley Baptist Church, unless an active member of another "local, fundamental Baptist church" before applying to the school. Even then, the student "must first obtain special administrative approval in order to attend his home church while enrolled at GSBC." Attendance at the daily chapel service is required. "Golden State Baptist College students are expected to go soul winning
for a minimum of three hours per week." Christian service of all students (such as teaching Sunday school classes, working on bus routes, or participating in the music ministry) "will be under administrative supervision." Administrative approval is required before obtaining any off-campus job.
Bible college
Bible colleges are institutions of higher education that specialize in biblical studies. Curriculum is Bible-based and differs from that of liberal arts colleges or research universities. Bible colleges generally exclude the study of philosophy, unlike seminaries and theological colleges...
in Santa Clara, California
Santa Clara, California
Santa Clara , founded in 1777 and incorporated in 1852, is a city in Santa Clara County, in the U.S. state of California. The city is the site of the eighth of 21 California missions, Mission Santa Clara de Asís, and was named after the mission. The Mission and Mission Gardens are located on the...
, offering bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
s and master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
programs in fields related to Christian ministry
Christian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
. Jack Trieber, pastor of the North Valley Baptist Church, is the school's chancellor.
Programs
Programs offered are intended to lead students into the work of the ministryChristian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
as pastors, assistants, missionaries, teachers, musicians, and the financial side of the Christian ministry. Bachelor's degrees are offered in pastoral theology, pastoral assistant, missions, Christian ministries, music education, Christian education (elementary and secondary), and secretarial science. Master's degree programs are also offered.
Accreditation status
Golden State Baptist College, like most Independent Fundamental Baptist Bible colleges, has chosen to maintain its independence from secular authorities by deliberately refraining from seeking or accepting accreditationEducational accreditation
Educational accreditation is a type of quality assurance process under which services and operations of educational institutions or programs are evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met...
. Thus, it is not accredited by any recognized accreditation body. As such, its degrees may not be acceptable to some employers or educational institutions.
Rules
GSBC's Institutional Distinctives can be found on their website. The school promises to deny admission to applicants who are from "charismatic, 'Bible' church, 'Christian' church, non-denominational, or inter-denominational" churches. Another rule states that "The King James Version is the only English-language Bible that will be permitted on campus." The administration "stand[s] against the destructiveness of para-church organizations", a reference to Christian ministries not operating under the authority of a local church.The General Information section highlights more rules for students. It states that "the activities on campus, the dormitory life, and the entire program of the college require the full participation and cooperation of every student." Students must attend North Valley Baptist Church, unless an active member of another "local, fundamental Baptist church" before applying to the school. Even then, the student "must first obtain special administrative approval in order to attend his home church while enrolled at GSBC." Attendance at the daily chapel service is required. "Golden State Baptist College students are expected to go soul winning
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
for a minimum of three hours per week." Christian service of all students (such as teaching Sunday school classes, working on bus routes, or participating in the music ministry) "will be under administrative supervision." Administrative approval is required before obtaining any off-campus job.
North Valley Publications
North Valley Publications (NVP) is based at Golden State Baptist College, and is affiliated with North Valley Baptist Church. North Valley Publications is a small publisher that specializes in books on Christian living, and Church leadership. Many of the books published by NVP are written by the college's chancellor, Dr. Jack Trieber.See also
- List of unaccredited institutions of higher learning
- Educational accreditationEducational accreditationEducational accreditation is a type of quality assurance process under which services and operations of educational institutions or programs are evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met...