General Information

This catalog is effective beginning September 2, 2025.

Carrying on a tradition of educational excellence that dates back over 100 years, Biola University now encompasses the following schools:

Offering four baccalaureate degrees in 47 majors, 21 master's and eight doctoral degrees, Biola's commitment to academic excellence is firmly rooted in its adherence to an in-depth, knowledgeable and living Christianity. Each year, over 5,000 students find Biola's unique blend of faith and learning conducive to their academic and vocational goals.

Historical Sketch

Biola University traces its origins to the Bible Institute of Los Angeles established in 1908 by Lyman Stewart, founder and president of the Union Oil Company, and the Rev. T.C. Horton, two men of extraordinary vision and commitment to Christian higher education.

Dedicated to sharing and defending the Christian faith, Stewart and Horton established the Institute to educate and equip men and women to impact society at home and abroad with the truth of the gospel. The Institute’s influence was felt along the entire Western Seaboard from Mexico to Canada and across the Pacific to China. By 1909, over 540 extension courses were sponsored by the Bible Institute. In 1912, the school had grown sufficiently in its outreach and constituency to call R.A. Torrey, a leader in the field of Christian education, as its dean.

The cornerstone of the original Bible Institute building in Los Angeles was laid on May 31, 1913, and dedicated with these words from Stewart:

“For the teaching of the truths for which the Institute stands, its doors are to be open every day of the year, and all people, without reference to race, color or class will ever be welcome to its privileges.”

The following decades produced immense growth, development and outreach. Under the leadership of Dr. Louis T. Talbot, president from 1932 to 1935 and 1938 to 1952, the school moved from a two-year to a four-year program offering degrees in theology, Christian education, sacred music, and a one-year program in missionary medicine. By 1949, the Bible Institute had become a flourishing Bible college and in 1952 launched Talbot Theological Seminary to further serve the Christian community. Under Dr. Samuel H. Sutherland, who became president in 1952, the college continued to grow in size, programs and reputation. The demands imposed by the growing student body and the enlarged curriculum prompted the purchase of a 75-acre site in La Mirada in 1959, the same year it received accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

In the ensuing years, Biola College broadened its curricula in the arts, sciences, professions and seminary offerings while maintaining its strong foundation in biblical studies. Dr. J. Richard Chase became Biola’s sixth president in 1970, and continued to expand the program base, acquiring the Rosemead Graduate School of Professional Psychology in 1977. The undergraduate programs in psychology were merged with Rosemead’s graduate programs in the fall of 1981, forming the present Rosemead School of Psychology.

Biola College became Biola University on July 1, 1981, composed of the School of Arts and Sciences, Rosemead School of Psychology and Talbot Theological Seminary, later to become Talbot School of Theology. A year later, in 1982, Dr. Clyde Cook became the seventh president. The School of Intercultural Studies, with its outstanding program in world missions, was established in 1983 and renamed the Cook School of Intercultural Studies in 2009. The School of Business was added in 1993 and renamed the Crowell School of Business in 2007. The School of Education was added in 2007. On May 11, 2007, the Board of Trustees selected the university’s eighth president, Dr. Barry H. Corey, to lead Biola into its second century. In 2016, Biola established a new school — the School of Science, Technology and Health. The School of Cinema and Media Arts was designated Biola’s ninth school in 2018. In 2023, Biola named its top-ranked film school the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts in tribute to Esther L. Snyder, co-founder of In-N-Out Burger. 

Ranked by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education as a Doctoral/Research-Intensive Institution, Biola University offers more than 150 academic programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree levels. With an outstanding faculty, the university has distinguished itself in scholarship and academic excellence.

As it pursues an ambitious vision for the years ahead, the university continues to be recognized as a leader in Christian higher education. With more than 5,000 students at its Southern California campus and around the world, Biola’s eight schools offer more than 250 academic programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. Recognized as the most comprehensive Christian university, ranked highest in North America for operationalizing its mission (OCIG) and ranked as one of the “Best National Universities” by U.S. News and World Report, Biola offers its students a premier educational and co-curricular experience.

Since 1908, Biola has stood as a beacon of hope for the intellectual, spiritual and moral growth of its students. From the start, Lyman Stewart envisioned that Biola would “radiate streams of influence...to the darkest places of the earth.” Biola graduates leave transformed and ready to make an impact in their communities, joining the rich heritage of tens of thousands who have gone before them.

University Mission

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.

University Vision

The vision of Biola University is to be identified among the world's foremost Christ-centered universities — a community abiding in truth, abounding with grace, and compelled by Christ's love to be a relevant and redemptive voice in a changing world.

University Values

The values of Biola University are those essential things that guide how we carry out our mission. We summarize them in three words: Truth, Transformation and Testimony. Each value provides a focal point for the lifelong patterns we aim to develop in our students.

Truth: Patterns of Thought

We believe that participating in a Christian community of grace is important in the life of the believer. Our identity as children of the Triune God lies in our lives lived in and through community, holistic relationships, mutual interdependence upon the Indwelling Spirit and members of the Body and seeking the unity of the Spirit.

We believe that through the renewing of the mind and care of the body we prepare our students to live within the culture in a loving and Christ-honoring way. Through a rigorous, Christ-centered and Spirit-led education we enable our students to grapple with and engage in the spiritual, intellectual, ethical and cultural issues of our time, their implications and application to everyday life.

We believe that through community and dependence upon the Spirit, character is sharpened and we grow in our ability to live our lives as the Lord Jesus Christ would. Interactions with fellow Christians provide one of the essential means of character development in the life of the believer.

We believe that integrity and authenticity should be hallmarks of every believer. Our relationships should be models of transparency, truth-telling and unwavering commitment to the example set by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Transformation: Patterns of Heart

Jesus Christ transforms individuals. As a Christ-serving university, the entire Biola experience is designed for life transformation in Christ. Our goal is that each graduate will have formed a personal value system — one that is firmly rooted in truth and is integrative, globally informed and compassionate — that will influence their lifelong affections, decisions and actions. Said differently, we want our students to develop patterns of heart that reflect the heart of God.

Testimony: Patterns of Action

Biola University's mission is to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. This mission is fulfilled when our graduates demonstrate "the obedience of faith" in service to others through words of wisdom, professional and personal competencies, hearts of compassion and acts of courage. We equip our students with patterns of action to lead in the face of unscripted problems for the good of a changing world, and to do so in the power of the Spirit, for the glory of God, to bring many to salvation in Christ.

University Learning Outcomes

Our mission and values provide the foundation for three University Learning Outcomes that all undergraduate and graduate degree programs are designed to support.

University Learning Outcome 1: Patterns of Thought - All students will be equipped with patterns of thought that are rigorous, intellectually coherent and thoroughly biblical.

University Learning Outcome 2: Patterns of Heart - All students will be equipped with patterns of heart that reflect the heart of God.

University Learning Outcome 3: Patterns of Action - All students will be equipped with patterns of action to lead in the face of unscripted problems for the good of a changing world.

State Authorization

Federal and State regulations require that all institutions obtain the necessary authorizations and/or approvals from a state in order to conduct educational activities. Biola University is physically located in the state of California and welcomes online degree or certificate applications from prospective students who are residents in most states within the United States. Please visit our Online Policies page to determine if Biola University is authorized in your state.

Diversity Statement

We believe that Biola University has been uniquely situated within a geographic region of great diversity in language, culture, and ethnicity for the purpose of fulfilling its mission of biblically-centered education, scholarship and service.

Within this cultural milieu the university is called not only to respect this diversity, but to reflect it as well, for Christ intends his Church to be a multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multi-national body of believers.

We believe it is our purpose, therefore, to create an environment in which all believers, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, age, economic status or physical ability, can pursue knowledge and personal development as they strive to become all God intends them to be.

To read Biola’s Theological Statement on Diversity and watch a video on why diversity is a value at Biola, please visit Biola's Diversity website.

Freedom of Expression

Within our theological statements, Biola University values and prioritizes the freedom of expression. This freedom includes open discourse and the exchange of ideas which are at the heart of a flourishing university and society, and rejects an ideological spirit that demonizes opponents, silences disagreement or stiff-arms debates.

We believe the efficacy of our mission is strengthened by our community’s commitment to intellectual humility and curiosity and engagement with diverse viewpoints. This means faculty and students will assess diverse thoughts, philosophies, and theological systems in a fair, sensitive, humble and rigorous manner. The goal of diversity of thought is the enhancement of learning and the pursuit of truth through virtuous engagement with those both inside and outside of our community. It is aimed at community flourishing and the building up of the body of Christ. 

Members of our community will have the freedom to think, engage, explore, teach, research, and write on topics appropriate to the scope of their particular disciplinary expertise and experience and within the boundaries set by our theological commitments. Administration and faculty will seek multiple ways to incorporate perspectives from thought leaders across diverse groups to enhance the depth and breadth of ideas within a gospel-centered education, with the goal that students develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to thrive and function effectively in an ever-changing world.

For more, read the full statement on Biola’s website

Chapel

University chapels and conferences are intended to bring the Biola community together regularly for worship, spiritual nurture and education regarding relevant issues facing us in our lives. The overall program brings a unique distinction to the ethos of Biola as a Christian university. Due to the central and significant nature of that ethos, attendance at chapel is required of all students. See the Spiritual Development website for additional information.

Disclaimer

Biola University reserves the right to change any and all student charges, modify its services, or change its curriculum or programs of study should economic conditions, curricular revisions, or other relevant factors make it necessary or desirable to do so. While every effort is made to insure the accuracy of the information in this catalog, Biola University has the right to make changes at any time without prior notice.

Summary of University Enrollment
Fall Semester 2024

Biola University (All Programs)

Men Women Total
2,533 2,901 5,434

Undergraduate Programs

Classification Men Women Total
Freshmen 380 523 903
Sophomores 318 441 759
Juniors 344 435 779
Seniors 410 623 1,033
Special Students 2 5 7
Total 1,454 2,027 3,481

Graduate Programs

Classification Men Women Total
Crowell School of Business 58 41 99
Rosemead School of Psychology 31 86 117
School of Education 43 171 214
School of Fine Arts & Communication 1 1 2
School of Science, Technology, & Health 3 77 80
Talbot School of Theology 941 492 1,433
Special Students 2 6 8
Total 1,079 874 1,953

Summary of University Degrees Conferred
2023-24 Academic Year

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor of Arts 378
Bachelor of Fine Arts 7
Bachelor of Music 22
Bachelor of Science 375
Undergraduate Programs Total 782

Graduate Programs

Crowell School of Business
Certificate
7
Master of Business Administration
32
Master of Management in Nonprofit Organizations
5
Master of Professional Accountancy
8
Master of Arts in Leadership & Inovation
7
Rosemead School of Psychology
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
22
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
9
Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology
8
School of Education
Certificate
2
Credential
41
Master of Arts in Education
10
Master of Arts in Teaching
20
Master of Arts in TESOL
12
Master of Science in Curriculum, Instruction, and Publication
2
Master of Science in Special Education
1
School of Fine Arts & Communication
Master of Arts in Public Relations & Reputation Management
4
School of Science, Technology, & Health
Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
24
Master of Public Health
5
Talbot School of Theology
Certificate
14
Master of Arts
65
Master of Arts - Classical Theology
4
Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics
22
Master of Arts in Christian Ministry and Leadership
19
Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies
11
Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy
17
Master of Arts in Science and Religion
13
Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care
13
Master of Divinity
37
Doctor of Intercultural Studies
7
Doctor of Ministry
16
Ed.D. in Educational Studies
2
Ph.D. in Educational Studies
3
Ph.D. in Intercultural Education
3
Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies
11
Graduate Programs Total 476
Grand Total of Undergraduate & Graduate Degrees Conferred 1,258

Graduation Rate Disclosure

The average six-year graduation rate for the full-time, degree-seeking, first-time undergraduate cohorts who entered Biola University in Fall 2018 and three years prior is 69.4%. This graduation rate is used to estimate the number of graduates from a first-time undergraduate cohort who may complete their degrees. Some of our undergraduate degree programs require more credits to graduate and may require more than four years to complete.