- Why do students come to Columbia?   
- How does Columbia help students acheive their career and ministry goals?
- How many students attend Columbia?
- When do semesters begin, and how long do they last?
- How old are Columbia students?
- Is Columbia accredited?
- Will courses I have taken at another Bible College or University transfer to Columbia?
- Will courses I have taken at Columbia transfer to another Bible College or University?
- Can someone visit campus?
- Why should I live in residence?
- Does Columbia have athletics, drama & music?
- What is needed to complete an application?
- What are the application deadlines?
- What makes a good college and Columbia's Report Card

Q. Why do students come to Columbia?

A. When asked, they say the Biblically centered college level education, small family atmosphere, the professor/student relations, and strong Christian mentoring/discipleship opportunities led them to choose Columbia. Columbia prepares students for a life of discipleship, service, and ministry in the contemporary world. Columbia Bible College is a school that wants her students to succeed!

Student Testimonies

"There is not one aspect of my life that has not been affected by my experience at Columbia. God has shaped me and developed me to become like Him in such a real and deep way, that I will never be the same again. Columbia has so much to offer, especially in preparing people for life and ministry in Christ." -Christina Goebert, B.A. Grad

"Columbia has turned my life right around. I have learned about the love of Jesus. I have seen it through the faculty and friends here. I have seen amazing acts of God that prove He exists. I will never be the same as I was. The closeness, community, opportunities, and activities that are available here are priceless! I have learned for myself that being a Christian is my calling and it is not the boring, dry thing that people stereotype it to be." -Mark Fast, Diploma Grad

"My time at Columbia has not only changed what I think but how I go about thinking. I was constantly challenged to think about every aspect of my life from a spiritual and intellectual perspective by both my teachers and my friends." -Colin Braun, Diploma Grad

Professor Testimonies

A. In addition to strong academic learning, our Service Practicum and Internship offers academic study combined with on-the-job/ministry experience while earning college credit! Our College Career Centre assists students in preparing for and securing full-time, part-time, or summer employment. A wide variety of services and resources for CBC students include individual counselling for ministry/career & life planning; assistance with interview readiness, resumes and cover letters; career information and research tools; and current job postings (including casual/part-time/summer, professional and ministry). Our Ministry Placement Office works with our BA grads to assist them in finding full-time ministry opportunities.

Q. How many students attend Columbia?

A. Each semester about 500 students pursue studies at Columbia. Generally 40% of the students live on campus in our residences and the other 60% commute from their homes in the area.

Generally, 75% study full-time (12-17 credit hours per semester) and 25% of our student body study part-time (less than 12 credit hours per semester) at Columbia.

Q. When do the semesters begin and how long do they last?

A. Our Fall semester begins in September and ends in December. The Spring semester begins in January and ends in April. (ECE also has 1 summer semester).

Q. How old are Columbia students?

A. All ages of young adults and older adults attend Columbia. Most students are between the ages of 18-24. The average age is 20 for full-time students. For part-time students, the average age is 23.

Q. Is Columbia accredited? Which agencies accredit Columbia?

Columbia is also a member of the following associations:

• American Theological Library Association
• Association of Christian Librarians
• Association of Christians in Student Development
• Association of Christian Service Personnel
• British Columbia College Athletics Association
• British Columbia Camping Association
• Canadian Association of Christians in Student Development
• Canadian College Athletics Association
• Christian Camping International
• Christian Higher Education Canada
• North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals
• Private Career Training Institutions Association for the Early Childhood Education program.

Also, Columbia has been approved as a designated institution for the purposes of the Canada Student Loan Plan and for financial aid through most provincial Departments of Education. The U.S. address for financial aid is U.S. Department of Education, Office of Post Secondary Education, Washington, D.C. 20202.

Q. Will courses that I have taken at another Bible College or at a University transfer to Columbia?

A. Because Columbia Bible College is accredited, many credits from other colleges and universities do transfer! Have your transcripts sent to Columbia Admissions and our Registrar will do a transfer analysis for you. Be sure to tell us what program you would want to transfer into.

Q. Will courses that I take at Columbia transfer to other Bible Colleges or Universities?

A. Yes, many of the courses you take will transfer. If you are transferring to another Christian College or University, many will transfer. If you are transferring to a secular institution, the number of transfers will be minimal, but you will most likely get some. We always recommend that you contact the instituition you would like to transfer into to be sure of their policies on accepting Christian College credit.

Q. Can someone visit campus? How and when?

A. Yes! We welcome you to visit our campus. The Admissions Department is open year-round Monday to Friday 8 AM-4:30 PM (excluding stat holidays) but the best time to visit is when school is in session. Please contact us at least 3 days in advance and we would enjoy helping you set up a visit, so give us a call toll free at 1-800-283-0881 or e-mail us at admissions@columbiabc.edu and we would love to arrange a visit for you. We would also love to have you join at in our Campus View Days. Please see further information on the "Campus visits and tours" section of our website.

Q. Why should I live in residence?

A. Columbia has learned that one of the very profound learning dynamics at College is residential life. The interaction with other students, staff, and student leaders, open doors for personal growth and life-long relationships.

Click here (pdf) to read on about advantages to living in dorm, student testimonies and pictures.

Q. Does Columbia have athletics, drama, and music?

A. Yes! we have many activities you can participate in while you are a student at Columbia.

Athletics
At Columbia, we do more than compete, we pursue excellence. Whether it’s learning in the classroom, serving in the community, or competing in a game, Columbia’s student-athletes are challenged to give it their all and use their God-given talents and passions to their utmost. Our approach to total student development makes Columbia, not only a great place to study, but also a great place to pursue athletic excellence through the following athletic teams: Men’s Basketball, Men’s Soccer, Men’s Volleyball, Men's Golf, Women’s Soccer, Women's Basketball and Women’s Volleyball.

Through our involvement in the CCAA (Canadian College Athletic Association), NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association), and local community leagues, our teams play a competitive schedule that allows them to not only develop their physical skills, but more importantly, a godly character (1Tim. 4:8).

For more information, visit the Athletics section of our website.

Ministry Teams
Worship teams are an integral part of Columbia's Community. If you’re looking for opportunities to express your musical and/or theatrical talents, Columbia is the place for you. We have the following Music Ministry teams at Columbia: Columbia Singers, Concert Choir, Souled Out, Kingdom Players, and Quasimodes.

For more information, visit the Worship Arts section of our website.

Q. What is needed to complete an application?

A. Our application process is straightforward and easy to complete. We have an application portfolio, which includes general information, an autobiographical sketch; two reference forms (one church leadership, and one adult Christian friend). You are also required to submit transcripts (from high school or another post-secondary college); and the $50 CAD application fee. If you have questions, an Admissions Counsellor can help, so e-mail us at: admissions@columbiabc.edu or give us a call at 1-800-283-0881! Click here to download an application now.

Q.  What are the application deadlines?

A.  September entry deadlines:  Priority admission deadline is May 31st and final deadline is August 15th.
     January entry deadlines:  Priority admission deadline is November 30th and final deadline is December 10th.

Q. What makes a good college?

Columbia is a learning place for people who want to…

1. Strengthen their knowledge of the Bible and develop their faith before pursuing further vocational training.
2. Develop a deeper knowledge of the Bible and ministry skills.
3. Pursue a four year BA degree in ministry related fields (such as Bibilical Studies, Church Ministries, Mission, Worship Arts and Youth Work).
4. Pursue a four year BA degree in untraditional ministry fields (such as Outdoor Leadership, Early Childhood Education and Caregiving and Counselling)
5. Enrich their faith and ministry through occasional study opportunities or self-guided research in the library
6. Keep current in their ministry area through special short courses and conferences.

Why Bible College?

With the variety of post-secondary education options available today coupled with the cost of study, today’s students ask important questions about the value of college education. Here are some of the values and distinctives of Bible College education.

Anchored in God’s manual for success: the Bible
Bible Colleges are alive because many people today continue to believe in the crucial importance of understanding what God as Creator of the Universe has to say about life. We believe that the Bible is God’s Word for people throughout history and so we place it as a central point in our study program. To know what it teaches, how to study it for oneself, and express its ideas to others are keys to a successful and meaningful life.

A personal growth core plus career training options
Place alongside this the opportunities to develop our relationship with God, refine our character, and receive training and coaching in various avenues of service, and you have the essence of a Bible College experience. These avenues of service may be within the church, but can just as easily be in the wider marketplace of life and work. Bible Colleges also offer training opportunities in career areas like: early childhood education, outdoor leadership, community youth work, and counselling. Bible Colleges seek to offer a blend of learning opportunities for service in and outside of the church programs.

A whole life learning experience
Columbia Bible College believes strongly in the power and importance of life outside the classroom, and so has included the residential life component in its educational approach. The informal conversations and the support of new friends makes a powerful impact on one’s life both now and through years ahead. Columbia also provides commuter services to help integrate off campus students into campus life and assist in building friendships outside the classroom. Sports and ministry teams, student council and committees are also ways that students can get involved. Our theme at Columbia is “Learning to Live Well”. This implies that we learn how to live well in all areas of life – academically, spiritually, physically, etc.

A transferable “foundation”
Because Columbia Bible College and other accredited Bible Colleges focus on delivering a quality education, it also allows students to not only gain the value from the direct Bible College experience, but also to see many of the courses and units taken recognized by a number of other colleges, seminaries and universities.

Academic Quality
Students that attend private, Christian colleges tend to have some of the strongest high school GPA’s and college entrance exam scores of all students entering college. Research shows that many Christian college students spend more time preparing for class, reading books and writing papers during a school year than their counterparts at public institutions. In addition, professors have the opportunity to interact with the students because of smaller class sizes. The value of these features for you as a student will be the shaping and challenging that will come from your peers and faculty. (Council for Christian Colleges and Universities www.cccu.org)

Preparing for the future
In a survey of Christian college and university graduates, 90 percent reported that their college experience helped them to develop a sense of purpose in life, which is 20 to 30 percent higher than alumni from other private and public institutions. You are encouraged to form your own view of the world and prepared to achieve success in your chosen vocation while engaging society with Christian principles and ideas. (Council for Christian Colleges and Universities www.cccu.org)

Why is the type of college you choose so important? The decisions you will make and the opportunities you consider throughout the rest of your life will be influenced by the education you choose. Christian higher education challenges and fosters a connection of faith and learning.

Why Columbia Bible College?

When asked, our students say:

• To develop a closer walk with God
• Gain a better Biblical understanding
• To gain confidence and learn to accept myself as a whole person in Christ
• Find out God’s Will for my life
• Friendships
• For career direction
• Career preperation
• Ministry preperation
• To determine my gifts
• To be mentored by Christian faculty and staff

Uniqueness
-Atmosphere. Approachable, personable professors – they go by their first names! At Columbia, we emphasize testimony rather than title so that at Columbia, you are apart of a family!

-Eat lunch with your professor! – our professors stay for lunch in the cafeteria every day!

-Location, location, location! – The beautiful Fraser Valley of BC offers our students many opportunities for recreation such as rock climbing, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, hiking, sailing, etc.

-Programs – We have many unique programs unlike other Colleges (ie. Outdoor Leadership, Quest and Worship Arts)

Benefits
-One-on-one mentoring opportunities by the professors.

-Christian athletics –integrating what it means to be a Christian and an athlete – using your abilities to glorify God, praying together with your teammates, doing Bible Studies together and Sports Ministry together.

-Music ministry team opportunities- Columbia offers specialized groups such as a Jazz Ensemble, Drama Ministry, Worship Bands, and choir options.

-Mission trips – Urban Plunges in Vancouver; Spring Break Missions trips to places like San Francisco, Seattle, Las Vegas…

Student Life
-Small, fun and casual community to emphasize your individuality!

-Student services such as – career guidance, prayer counselling, learning disability support, tutoring, mentoring/discipling, weight room and state of the art gymnasium, library (also accessible online).

-Services to off-campus students such as carpooling, collegium (commuter lounge), social activities, online access to our library, etc.

-Dorm life! – build friendships for life. Weekly dorm meetings to pray, study and grow together!

Programs
–We offer eight 4 year Bachelor of Arts programs, and eight 2 year Diploma programs, and two 1 year programs. Life Preparation for your ministry or career –make a difference in your world!

-Each student is given the opportunity of hands-on ministry experience with college credit!

-Some transferability to other colleges and universities! Spend time with us for life preparation before going to university!

Scholarships
At Columbia, we offer over $300,000 in Financial Assistance by means of Scholarships, Bursaries, Student Employment and Special Discounts for senior students and married students. We also are approved to receive Canada Student Loans or Federal U.S. Student Aid.

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