The Biblical Support
As a Christian institution, North Central University approaches its purpose from the biblical foundation found in John 13:34-35. The purpose of the University is to produce Pentecostal leaders to serve God in the church and in the world. As a result of their training at North Central, students should, therefore, be able to:
- Maintain a vital, stable and consistent relationship with God with openness to revival and ongoing spiritual growth and demonstration in the Pentecostal tradition.
- Interact with members of the campus community and the church in such a way as to maintain supportive, caring, loving, forgiving and accountable relationships which are life-changing for all.
- Demonstrate an informed, evangelistic and serving orientation to the peoples of the world, including those majority urban dwellers throughout the United States and the world.
- Utilize their integrated Christian worldview and specially developed skills to provide leadership in the church and the world.
The Curricular Support
All students are expected to accomplish the above goals by completing both academic and personal development programs. Student development programming involves students in numerous real-life experiences through which they learn to apply skills and knowledge gained in the classroom.
Academic programming consists of three major components: the General Education Core, the Biblical Studies Core and the major or vocational core. The four-year degree curriculum prepares students for ministry careers in the church, for graduate study and for other areas of life. The one or two years of foundational biblical and general education curriculum at the Certificate or Associate Degree level gives students a foundation for the future that may include additional career or vocational training.
The University has clearly defined the ends sought for each of these curricular areas. It is clear as to its purposes and has been in a strongly creative revision process for all of its curriculum so it can be even more successful in accomplishing its desired ends. These end-sought statements written at the beginning of each curricular program can be found throughout the catalog. Curricular changes place NCU on the cutting edge of meaningful higher education designed to prepare students for the new millennium.
Completion of the academic degree programs and the non-academic learning opportunities make it possible for the student:
- To communicate clearly and effectively within the church and with a world which desperately needs to know the Savior.
- To relate the present to the past through an understanding of the historical process.
- To demonstrate expanded perceptions of life and refined aesthetic sensibilities.
- To develop and maintain a practical wellness model for living.
- To utilize a systematic approach to examine nature and solve quantitative problems.
- To solve problems in a disciplined and imaginative way through analytical and critical thinking skills.
- To observe and interpret human behavior within the richness of social and cultural diversity.
- To acquire foundational knowledge of Bible content and history and develop a basic research methodology for biblical study.
As a result, students should be able to build into their lifestyle and ministry the skills, knowledge and attitudes that will help them make a significant contribution to their generation. They should become flexible lifelong learners who are curious, adaptive, analytical, literate, morally sensitive, critically appreciative and theologically literate.