Overview
Vanguard University (VU) is a private, coeducational, comprehensive university of liberal arts and professional studies that believes its Pentecostal/charismatic Christian community provides a supportive and challenging environment in which to pursue a quality education. The University assumes that it is essential to offer educational opportunity within a context of free inquiry and academic integrity. Such opportunity includes examining the Christian heritage, the claims of Christ, the charismatic involvement of the church, and the revelation of God. VU is a community that encourages individual integrity and responsibility in accordance with biblical Christianity and its social and ethical implications.
Mission
The purpose of Vanguard University is to pursue knowledge, cultivate character, deepen faith, and equip each student for a life of leadership and service.
To fulfill that purpose, Vanguard gathers a community of learners resolved to blend the pursuit of academic excellence with growth as authentic Christians. The educational experience at Vanguard, therefore, promotes the integration of faith, learning, and living. The university believes that scholarship in the arts, sciences, and professional studies illuminated by Christian truth fosters the intellectual development, moral maturity, and spiritual vitality of students. The university motto — Truth, Virtue, and Service — expresses our conviction that learning involves the whole person: head, heart, and hands. (read more)
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Additional Information
Academics
VU has approximately 2,200 students and offers:
Student/Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Faculty: 86 full-time and 113 part-time; 75% of full-time teaching faculty hold doctoral degrees; no courses taught by teaching assistants.
Athletics
13 varsity teams including men's basketball, soccer, baseball, track, cross country and tennis; and women's basketball, cross country, volleyball, soccer, tennis, track, and softball. Member of the Golden State Athletic Conference, NAIA Division 1. Visit the Athletics Department for more info.
Background and Accreditations
Founded in Los Angeles in 1920 as a Bible training institute, VU is owned by the Southern California District of the Assemblies of God. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Teacher preparation and licensing for nine different credentials approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Member of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and Associate Member of Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
Core Values
Three basic pursuits inherent in the VU educational experience—truth, virtue, and service—are enshrined in the University motto and embossed on its official seal. “Truth, Virtue, and Service” summarizes the institution’s core values. (read more)
Educational Targets and Goals
The Educational Targets and Goals of VU were adopted by the faculty and administration during the 1995-96 academic year to define the student profile and learning outcomes which correspond to the University’s mission, identity, and core values. The core curriculum and the various liberal arts, science, and professional programs are designed to produce the following student profile and student learning outcomes. (read more)
Enrollment Statistics (2006-07)
Vanguard’s student body comes from more than 25 denominational backgrounds, every region of the United States, and more than a dozen foreign nations. For detailed statistics visit CollegeBoard.com.
- Total University Enrollment: over 2,146.
- The College: approximately 1,482 students; 949 women, 533 men; 16% Hispanic; 5% Asian; 3% African American; 1% Native American; 1% international; 5% unknown.
- The Graduate School: approximately 292 students; 60% female, 40% male; 35% in Graduate Education Program; 35% in Graduate Religion Program; 23% in Graduate Clinical Psychology Program; 7% in Graduate Business Program.
- The School for Professional Studies: SPS has approximately 372 students; 58% female, 42% male; 33% multi-ethnic student population; 45% Generation X; 78% living in Orange County.
- Financial Assistance: 90% of Vanguard students receive financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, loans and college work-study. Nearly $19 million in combined aid is awarded annually.
Faith Confession
As a Christian comprehensive university of liberal arts and professional studies, informed by its evangelical persuasion and Pentecostal heritage, VU affirms the following confession of faith. We believe:
- The Bible to be the inspired and only infallible and authoritative Word of God.
- That there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
- In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in his virgin birth, in his sinless life, in his miracles, in his vicarious and atoning death, in his bodily resurrection, in his ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in his personal, future return to this earth in power and glory to rule over the nations.
- That the only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious blood of Christ.
- That regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for personal salvation.
- That the redemptive work of Christ on the cross provides healing of the human body in answer to believing prayer.
- That the baptism in the Holy Spirit, according to Acts 2:4, is given to believers who ask for it.
- In the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy life.
- In the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the one to everlasting life and the other to everlasting damnation.
History
During the summer of 1920, Harold K. Needham, D. W. Kerr, and W. C. Pierce opened a school to prepare Christian workers for the various ministries of the church. The new institute, Southern California Bible School, moved from Los Angeles to Pasadena in 1927. (see more historical info)
Location
Vanguard is located in Costa Mesa, California, a coastal community about 50 miles south of Los Angeles and minutes from the beach. It's probably sunny and 70 degrees but just in case check the weather. Here you'll find a broad variety of things to do including religious, musical, cultural, and athletic events along with excellent beaches, parks, and libraries. In addition, the Orange County job market is strong offering broad opportunities in a number of fields (students may see the career center ).
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