Northwestern Christian University

Northwestern Christian University, (NCU) is private not for profit Christian university based in Spring Hill, Florida. NCU began as a ministry Christian Alliance Ministries a conservative non-denominational Christian Ministry and is now an independent Christian University. NUC provides faith based accredited Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate degrees in various fields through online learning in higher Christian education. The university comprises of thirteen academic facilities and university schools. 
NCU is a member with The International Association for Christian Educational Accountability (IACEA). IACEA is a Christian alternative to secular accreditation providing recognition for educational accountability to Christian seminaries and Bible colleges. NCU does not hold regional accreditation or from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as a higher education provider and is a non-accredited university NCU applies the 'Religious Exempt' concept in theory and practice. 
NCU operates under authorization, as a degree granting religious institution through exemption, by the Florida Board of Education of Independent Colleges and Universities under Section 1005.06 (1) (f), FLA Statutes. The state of Florida, like other states, does not require accreditation or theological accreditation for our religious education universities like those under the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The Commission for Independent Education has statutory responsibilities in matters relating to non-public, postsecondary, educational institutions in the state of Florida. NCU is a non-accredited university, as a Christian education provider of faith-based alternative to secular accredited universities. 
===History===
Established in 1980, as a ministry of CAM with The Worldwide Church of Jesus Christ (not associated with the Latter-Day Saint Movement). Bishop Howard M. Sarkela is the founder of Northwestern Theological Seminary and Northwestern Christian University. 
Northwestern Christian University began its mission in the 1970s by offering correspondence Bible courses to prison inmates. During the 1970s and 1980s the rise of faith-based prison ministries expanded across the United States. Expanding into training pastors in Christian education, the ministry moved to Florida in the 1990s. Expanding online and developing countries NCU has campuses in the Philippines the Carribean, and South America. 
NCU educational ministry commenced at the Scripps Mansion, Detroit, Michigan in 1980. Dr Howard M. Sarkela offered the first Christian College level educational programs in 1980 in the form of a discipleship training program at the Detroit Christian Guidance Center, now the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries. The foundation of the university, began in Scripps Mansion, which has as extensive history of ministry work and outreach programs. By the 1990s the ministry established the Northwestern Theological Seminary, the precursor to the Northwestern Christian University. 
===Current President===
The current President of NCU is Dr Samuel Galloza he holds a ThM in Theology, a ThD in Biblical Studies, and a PhD in Christian Education.
===Doctrinal position===
Originally the doctrinal statement and beliefs of NCU originated from the Northwestern Christian University is a non-denominational religious higher education institution. The doctrinal statement of NCU is evangelical in nature, with a position of biblical infallibility. Consistent with conservative evangelical theology, NCU believes in the trinity, creationism and justification by faith alone. 
NCU follows the evangelical model of a Bible College as opposed to a traditional seminary or Divinity School model. Throughout the 1990s, conservative Christian ministries moved away from accredited university programs to a ministry model, and NCU's model is consistent with a separation of church and state model of a Christian Bible College. 
===Degree programs===
All NCU programs are online, with the following degree programs, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.), Master of Theology (M.A.), Master of Theology (M.Th.), Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Doctor of Philosophy, (Ph.D.), Doctor of Theology (Th.D.), Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.). 
NCU thirteen academic faculties are, Biblical Studies, Biblical History, Theology, Ministry/ Divinity, Christian Education, Christian Education, Administration, Christian Counseling, Christian Counselling Administration, Christian Social Work, Christian Humanities and Organizational Leadership. Students select one program followed by one academic discipline. 
===Bible College Model===
As a Christian higher education provider, NCU focus on research is applying Christian based education to secular settings. Originally an outreach prison ministry, then a Bible College, NCU's academic focus is consistent of bible colleges applying Chrisian principles to a vocational as opposed to traditional secular higher educational model. . 
===Library===
NCU has an extensive Online Christian Library a Christian ministry and educational services library project sponsored by the Northwestern Theological Seminary and Northwestern Christian University. The library also hosts the Northwestern Theological Journal that maintains the database of candidate master's and doctoral research thesis. 
===Notable Alumni===
Former President of the Philippines, Gloria Arroyo, received an honorary doctorate degree in Humanities from NCU , Anglican Bishop David Kodiah from Kenya, graduated with a Master's degree in Theology and Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Theology . James Feazell is pastor of Lift Ministries International and graduated with a Master's in Theological Studies, Doctor of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Counseling Joseph Iraya Wainaina a Kenyan MP was awarded an honorary doctorate degree for his role in peace and community leadership. 
Category:Universities established in the 1980s
Category:Private universities
Category:University of Florida