For students in Biola University's BOLD degree completion program, the Student Handbook will provide information about the program, curriculum, faculty, policies and procedures, finances, and student life.
The BOLD Program Student Handbook is to be used in conjunction with the Biola University Catalog located at www.biola.edu/catalog/index.cfm and the traditional Undergraduate Student Handbook located at www.biola.edu/StudentLife/lifestyle.cfm. Subjects not covered by this handbook can be referenced in either of these other two resources. In case of discrepancy, the Biola University Catalog and/or Undergraduate Student Handbook will take precedence over the BOLD Program Student Handbook.
To obtain further information, please contact the BOLD Program Office at (562) 903-4712.
Welcome to Biola University
Welcome to Biola University’s BOLD degree completion program. Biola is a Christian university where your goal of completing a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Organizational Leadership or a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Psychology can be realized. We are committed to providing an environment in which students will be academically and spiritually challenged to accomplish their very best.
At Biola you will take courses from faculty who synthesize a Christian commitment with strong academic preparation and a love for teaching. You will be a part of an exciting and dynamic program at an exemplary Christian university.
We are pleased to have you join us.
Mission Statement
The mission of Biola University’s BOLD Program is to offer a biblically centered degree completion program at regional centers equipping Christian adult learners in mind and character to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ.
BOLD Degree Completion Program
The BOLD degree completion program consists of upper division coursework designed specifically to enable motivated adults to earn a college degree, often while working full-time. Students in the program are Christian adults with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 from previous college coursework.
All courses follow a compressed format. Courses are taught in a manner that is conducive to adult learning, within a supportive atmosphere. Classes are intentionally kept small to facilitate quality group interaction.
The core courses/modules that make up the major have been structured so that they can be completed in as little as 18 months for the Organizational Leadership (OL) major and 23 months for the Psychology major.
Modules meet 1 time per week, Monday - Thursday evenings, or on Saturday mornings.
The required Bible courses and many of the required General Education (GE) courses meet one time per week, Monday - Thursday evening, and on Saturday in the morning or afternoon.
Program Locations
- Chino
- Inglewood
- La Mirada
- Orange County
- Redlands
- San Diego
- Thousand Oaks
The Organizational Leadership degree is offered at all of the above locations; currently, the Psychology degree is offered at several of the above locations.
Standards of Conduct
The Board of Trustees has adopted the following statement of community agreements that are a requirement for membership in the Biola community.
Biola University is a community of Christians committed to the principles of Christian living found in the Bible and holds that these biblical standards are vital to our individual and corporate relationships. Maintaining these standards contributes to the kind of atmosphere in which quality Christian education and spiritual nurture can best occur, and strengthens the testimony of Biola within both Christian and secular communities. In this light, and given the clear biblical imperative for spiritual self-discipline, the University has established these "standards of conduct" to be observed and upheld, by all members of the Biola community.
Consistent with the example and command of Jesus Christ, we believe that life within a Christian community must be lived to the glory of God, with love for God and for our neighbors. Being indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we strive to walk by the Spirit, "crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:24). To this end, members of the Biola community are not to engage in activities which Scripture forbids. Such activities include, but are not limited to, dishonesty, thievery, fornication, adultery, homosexual practice, drunkenness and unscriptural divorce. Scripture also condemns other "deeds of the flesh" such as covetousness, jealousy, pride and lust — sins which the maturing Christian should put off, and replace with "fruit of the spirit": love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (e.g., Luke 10:27; Galatians 2:20, 5:14-24; Ephesians 2:3; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
As a Christian educational institution, Biola also recognizes the responsibility of its Board of Trustees, faculty and staff to provide examples of maturing Christian character, conduct and attitude to its students and the community at large. Therefore, as maturing Christians, the entire Biola community will strive for the holiness of God (1 Peter 1:13-19), and love Him with all our heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37). In addition, we are called to love our friends and neighbors as God has loved us (Matthew 22:39; 1 John 4:7-11). We will achieve this calling by walking by the power of the Holy Spirit and avoiding sins clearly forbidden in Scripture (Galatians 5:16-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 5:1-14). Also, we will pursue the fruit of the Spirit from our Lord and with one another (Galatians 5:22-24).
When the Bible is not clear regarding a specific behavior, we will be guided by our desire to glorify God in our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), and will discern if any of our brothers or sisters in Christ would stumble in their faith (1 Corinthians 8; Romans 14). If our Lord is not glorified or another Christian is harmed or offended by our behavior, then we will freely abstain from that activity, both on and off the campus of Biola. We know that many behaviors are lawful, but not all are profitable (1 Corinthians 10:23-33). Therefore, we will constantly be teachable regarding those activities where the Bible is not clear and will evaluate them in light of our pursuit of holiness and love for our Lord and each other.
Students of Biola are expected to refrain from the use of alcoholic beverages and tobacco in any form, and from gambling. Furthermore, discernment must be exercised in avoiding all activities that may be spiritually or morally harmful. Individual decisions regarding movies, television programs, all forms of electronic media and other activities are expected to reflect this moral commitment. Biola University does not presume to be a censoring agency for all activities; it does, however, expect tangible evidence of maturing Christian convictions and discerning judgment.
In addition, members of the Biola community will observe Sunday as the Lord's Day and give primary attention to worship, rest, Christian fellowship and recreation, and service.
These standards apply to the student while enrolled in any of the schools or programs of the University on and off campus. Biola therefore reserves the right to discipline or dismiss any student who, in its judgment, does not conform to these conduct standards or to other expressed principles, policies, programs and expectations of the university governing student conduct.
To view the complete published statement of the standards of conduct, go to the Life Together Standards section of the Biola Student Handbook.