What’s the difference between an academy and a college?

Bible Academies offer certificates upon successful completion, unlike diplomas or degrees earned at accredited colleges or universities. Instead, the academy will focus primarily on active Christian community, ministry, and missions. 

Will I get credit for the courses I take? 

Currently, we are unaccredited, so Bible classes will not have transferable credits. However, the culminating Holy Land Tour is accredited through Jerusalem University College, and credit will be available for purchase. Plans include the pursuit of accreditation as a recognized academic institution.

Will it interfere with my junior college?

Participation in Bible Academy courses will vary in terms of time commitment and scheduling, but should not interfere with other for-credit commitments. Because the focus of the academy is on Christian community and active ministry in the world, we strongly encourage students to continue the pursuit of their academic and vocational goals. If you are enrolled in junior college, it’s essential to consider your course load and personal schedule. Time management will be of utmost importance.

What are typical class sizes?

All students will be together in one class. With our current accommodations, we can host up to  10 resident students, but the class size will be dependent on the number of registered students. 

When does the program start and end?

Dorms will be occupied every year from September 1st to July 31st the following year. Classes will begin on the Tuesday following Labor Day and will continue through to the Friday before Memorial Day each year. There will be a school break for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

How many staff members are there?

The academy will consist of a full-time dean of students, a board of directors, and two resident assistants. Mentors and Bible teachers will serve as volunteers and will vary from year to year.

What do the dorms look like?

Currently, we have a 6-bedroom house that can host up to 10 students, with the potential of building another dorm to house up to 10 students.

What do the trips look like?

Depending on the political climate in the Middle East, we will take a culminating Israel study tour in June of each year. As an alternative, we will go to the Dominican Republic through Students’ International or Turkey for a tour of the seven churches of Revelation.  There will also be 2-4 other domestic trips throughout the school year, which may include Hume Lake young adults retreat, inner-city homeless outreach, building projects, etc., in locations from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Fresno, Stockton, Sacramento, or beyond. Monthly community outreaches to Manteca will also be scheduled.

Do I need a passport? 

Yes, it will be a requirement to obtain a passport before acceptance into the program.

Who can enroll in Bible Academy courses?

Though we strongly encourage students to fully engage in the residency program to gain the most out of the Christian community portion of the program, commuter students are also welcome to attend classes by paying the programming fee.

When are applications due?

Applications will be accepted throughout the year, but the student roster will be finalized by August 1st for the upcoming year.

How do I get started with a course?

To get started, you will need to visit the Bible Academy website and complete an application. This application will be reviewed and you should receive a reply within a couple of weeks.