University of Valley Forge

This article is about the college in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. For other uses, see VFCC (disambiguation).

Valley Forge Christian College

File:VFCC-SEAL.png
Type	Private
Established	1939
President	Don Meyer, Ph.D.
Provost	Philip McLeod, Ph.D.
Students	1,200
Address	1401 Charlestown Road Phoenixville, PA 19460 , Phoenixville , PA , USA
Campus	Suburban
Affiliations	Assemblies of God USA
Website	www.vfcc.edu

Valley Forge Christian College (VFCC) is a four-year, residential college centrally located in southeastern Pennsylvania, minutes from Valley Forge National Historical Park. Nestled in the small town of Phoenixville, major metropolitan areas are within easy driving distance. Students live and study in a campus community that emphasizes personal relationships, growth, and accountability. The campus is a spacious and comfortable setting where faculty, staff, and students connect with each other on a first-name basis. Professors are committed to excellence in the classroom and to building quality relationships with students that will last a lifetime.

Mission

To prepare individuals for a life of service and leadership in the church and in the world.

History

Valley Forge Christian College traces its beginnings to a summer Bible School on the campgrounds of Maranatha Park, Green Lane, PA, in 1932. The summer Bible School evolved into a permanent Bible School and, in 1939, was chartered as Maranatha Bible School. Mergers with Beulah Heights Bible Institute, Metropolitan Bible Institute, New England Bible Institute and Pine Crest Bible School resulted in increased enrollment and a name change to Eastern Bible Institute and later, Northeast Bible Institute. The vision continued to grow as the college moved, in 1976, to the campus of the former Valley Forge Army Hospital in Phoenixville, PA.

Today the humble beginning of a summer Bible School has blossomed into a thriving Christian College. With an enrollment of over 1200 students, VFCC offers 25 undergraduate programs and four graduate programs. In the summer of 2002 the college was granted accreditation with Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Significant changes have also taken place on the college campus with major renovations and new construction. The newest building, Cardone Hall, was completed in the fall of 2008. Currently plans are underway for a new expansive student center and a Digital Media center.

Valley Forge Christian College has seen steady enrollment growth, talented faculty and staff, a large, beautiful campus and a promising future. However, amidst the many changes the mission of VFCC stays the same: to prepare individuals for a life of service and leadership in the church and in the world.

Accreditation

Valley Forge Christian College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Secretary of Education and the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation. The college holds affiliate membership with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, an international higher education association of intentional Christian colleges and universities.

Academics

Valley Forge Christian College is approved by the Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to grant the degrees of Master of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Religious Education, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Social Work, Associate of Arts and Associate of Science.

Master Degrees

• Christian Leadership (MA)
• Music Technology (MM)
• Theology (MA)
• Worship Studies (MA)

Bachelor Degrees

• Biblical Languages
• Biblical Studies
• Business Administration
• Children’s Ministry
• Christian Education
• Christian Ministries
• Church Music
• Digital Media Communications
• Early Childhood Education
• Elementary Education (Public Teaching Certification)
• Elementary Education (Private Teaching Certification)
• Music Education (Public Teaching Certification)
• Music Education (Private Teaching Certification)
• Secondary English Education
• English
• Music Performance
• Pastoral Counseling
• Pastoral Ministry
• Psychology
• Senior Adult Ministry
• Social Work
• Theological Studies
• Urban Ministry
• World Missions
• Youth Ministry

Woodbridge Campus

The College operates a fully accredited satellite campus at Christ Chapel in Woodbridge, Virginia. Students attending at this campus can earn degrees in the same courses of study as those at the Valley Forge Christian College main campus.

Notable alumni

(1983) Sandra L. Richter, Ph.D. Professor of Old Testament at Wesley Biblical Seminary and author of The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament.

Andrew Surace Pastor of Christ Fellowship Church in Seaville, NJ and author of Stepping Stones: Along the Path of Life and Power Points from the Word.

External links

• Valley Forge Christian College
• Valley Forge Christian College Woodbridge Campus
• Children's Ministries University Online
• Council for Christian Colleges & Universities

Sources

• The Borough of Phoenixville
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• VFCC
• Assembly of God
• Cappex Review
• Student Review