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According to the Association for Biblical Higher Education, “there are more than 1,2 Bible schools and college in the United States and Canada.” Bible colleges exist for students who wish to pursue higher education in Christian Ministry. Specializing in Biblical studies, Bible colleges exist as more than places of higher learning. These institutions train students to take leadership positions in Christian ministry.

Predominantly associated with Evangelical Protestant denominations, Bible colleges like Heritage Christian University offer a main core of instruction including courses on Biblical history and languages, Christian counseling, youth ministry, and the instruction of religious texts. Above and beyond the classroom, students are challenged to devote time and energies to community service, Bible study, and campus and community ministries. 

While Bible colleges aim to produce religious leaders knowledgeable in both the Bible and Christian ministry, many of these colleges require students to be well rounded. General course work including the humanities is apart of some Bible colleges academic program. Literature, history, speech, philosophy, and psychology are offered in order to give students a well-developed background outside of religious instruction. 

Often small in size, Bible colleges offer a tight-knit and connected family of students and faculty. Usually a low faculty-to-student ratio contributes this environment. Students are challenged to grow not only intellectually but also spiritually. Prison ministries, mission trips and community service give students ample opportunity to expand horizons and develop their faith. 

Aside from academics, many Bible colleges also participate in athletics. Members of the Association of Christian Colleges or the National Christian Athletic Association participate in intercollegiate athletic programs.

Accreditation is an important factor to consider when looking at any college. Bible colleges and seminaries should hold some form of accreditation. Secularly, the best form of accreditation is allocated by one of the six associations recognized by the federal government. In addition to regional accreditation, a major accreditation association for Bible colleges is that of the Association of Biblical Higher Education. However, some within the network of Bible colleges claim that accreditation should not be the focus of a college instructing students on matters of the Christian faith. In this line of thought, Bible colleges act only under the approval its the founding church. 

There are many online Bible colleges as well. Online Bible colleges show the same core program of Biblical studies as traditional Bible colleges and should also hold to the same standards as far as faculty and curriculum.