GUIDE TO USING THE CATALOG

Vanguard University’s catalog is a comprehensive source of information to assist students throughout their university experience. This guide informs students how to navigate the catalog by offering a glossary defining, in common language, the various academic terms and acronyms used throughout the catalog.

ACADEMIC STRUCTURE

The classroom faculty at Vanguard University are assigned to academic departments, which are organized within Schools or the College of Arts and Sciences. Residential faculty hold positions within the academic Departments and are actively involved in shared university governance through service on faculty or university committees. View Vanguard University’s academic structure to see each academic department and the programs of study offered.

DISCLAIMER

The provisions of this publication are not to be regarded as the irrevocable terms of the contract between the student and Vanguard University.  Changes are affected from time to time in the general regulations and in the academic requirements.  There are established procedures for making changes, procedures which protect the university’s integrity and the individual student’s interest and welfare.  A curriculum or graduation requirement, when altered, is not made retroactive unless the alteration is to the student’s advantage and can be accommodated within the span of years normally required for graduation.

RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION DISCLOSURE

Vanguard University is a private, coeducational, comprehensive university of liberal arts and professional studies that believes its Spirit-empowered 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. Vanguard University is a community that encourages individual integrity and responsibility in accordance with biblical Christianity and its social and ethical implications.

Vanguard University is committed to providing a learning and living environment that promotes safety, transparency, personal integrity, civility, mutual respect and freedom from discrimination. As a Christian university affiliated with the General Council of the Assemblies of God, USA (Springfield, MO) through the Southern California District of the Assemblies of God (Irvine, CA), Vanguard University is exempted from certain provisions of federal Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the California Equity in Higher Education Act that are not consistent with its religious tenets and mission. These exemptions may apply to, but are not limited to, requirements in the university’s community standards, housing policies, admissions processes, employee hiring and general employment practices. Vanguard University retains all rights afforded under federal law and the laws of the State of California.

STATEMENT ON DIVERSITY

Vanguard University believes a core component of our purpose is to cultivate Spirit-empowered and Christ-centered leaders of the 21st century through Scripture teachings and practices which promote Diversity and Inclusion.  Through our mission, vision and institutional learning outcomes we purposely strive to cultivate an inclusive community that fosters respect for people, participation in advocacy and awareness of social justice related issues. As members of the Body of Christ, we actively engage in the exploration and celebration of differences amongst our individual community members. This commitment to diversity is grounded not simply in the current cultural zeitgeist but in what the Christian scriptures have to say about:

1. all human beings being created in the imago Dei—image of God—(Genesis 1:27; 9:6);
2. the come and coming kingdom of God being made up of “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language” (Revelation 7:9); and
3. the present need for the members of Christ’s body to recognize their need for one another in order to accomplish the will of God (1 Corinthians 12:12-26).

Moreover, this commitment to diversity is further fueled by the clear teaching of Scripture that God wills that his people care deeply about justice and boldly advocate for the fair and loving treatment of all members of society (e.g., Exodus 23:6; Leviticus 19:15; Psalm 140:12; Proverbs 29:7; Ezekiel 22:29; Amos 5:12; Matthew 12:18; 23:23).

The term diversity is defined by differences in physical appearance, ability, background, perspectives, and beliefs. At Vanguard University, we believe that a biblically and theologically informed understanding of diversity mandates that we do our best to overcome any form of discrimination with respect to race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, national and geographical origin, religion, ability, gender, political ideology, participation or non-participation in the military, and age.

Our commitment to diversity stems from our belief God created everyone with dignity with a plan to be connected to others and only judged by Him.  Therefore, in humility we teach the importance of respect for every individual’s unique story and interpretation of the world from their historically and culturally different purview.  We are purposeful in fostering an environment where students feel empowered to share their perspectives, experiences, practices, values and beliefs. Though committed to the authority of Scripture, the lordship of the risen Jesus, and the need to do our best to “keep in step” with the Holy Spirit, we aim to function as an inclusive community which welcomes authentic dialogue and critical thinking toward the development of the cultural competency skills necessary for successful leaders committed to lives of truth, virtue, and service in a global society.   

Without losing sight of our commitment to the fulfilling of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), Vanguard staff, faculty, and administration, strive to excel in the curricular and co-curricular collaboration required to expose our students to the diverse ideologies and complex issues of twenty-first century pluralistic society. We will employ best practices to cultivate an atmosphere of cultural appreciation and awareness of the intersectionality among the various layers of diversity. Our student programming, discussion forums, trainings, and seminars will generate understanding and prepare students to succeed spiritually, morally, missionally, professionally and personally in the global marketplace, where people, perspectives and practices may vary from their own. Finally, Vanguard University will equip our students with the tools to live out Micah 6:8, “…to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God.”