Q&A: BOLD and MOL Phase-Out

  • Why was it necessary to discontinue the BOLD and MOL programs? Why didn't the current model work?

    There are differences and similarities in regards to BOLD and MOL, but the bottom line is that the programs have struggled to be competitive in the changing educational environment for Christian adult learners. In the early 1990s, Biola was one of the forerunners in offering such a program in Southern California. However, in the ensuing years, many similar programs emerged and as a result, enrollment in Biola's adult degree completion programs declined. Although academic quality and student satisfaction levels have remained strong, university leaders determined that the programs did not have long-term viability in their current model. It is not unusual in higher education to make decisions to add and discontinue degree programs based on internal and external factors.

  • What have been the enrollment trends for MOL and BOLD?

    Enrollment has been on a downward trend for these programs over several years. However, Biola University has increased its overall enrollment in the past 15 consecutive years.

    MOL's enrollment peaked in 2003 and 2004, when 98 students were enrolled taking 421 hours of credit. In fall 2009, there were 75 students (a decline of 24 percent) taking 277 credit hours (a decline of 34 percent).

    BOLD's enrollment peaked in 2005 with 494 students taking 4,812 hours of credit. By fall 2009, the number of students had dropped to 251 (a decline of 49 percent), taking 1,985 credit hours (down 59 percent from its peak).

  • Is this decision a result of the economic downturn?

    This decision is not a direct result of the current economic downturn. Rather, it is the culmination of more than two years of review and concerted efforts to improve these programs' financial and enrollment viability. These programs were facing financial challenges before the national recession. Because this decision was not a result of the recession, Biola does not anticipate the closure of additional programs or departments. This is not the beginning of a series of other school closures. In fact, the opposite is true. One of Biola's directives in its new University Plan states that "as we prepare our graduates for taking their place in the world, we must think creatively and broadly as entrepreneurs of fresh ideas and doable plans to advance Christ's kingdom in every vocation. We will seek to further expand our impact through new and enhanced programs, majors and degrees."

  • Will Biola accept new students in the BOLD and MOL programs? What will happen to students currently enrolled in the programs or planning to enroll in January, February or March?

    We are allowing new MOL students to enroll this spring, but will not be admitting any new BOLD students. Students currently enrolled in these programs, as well as those who have stopped out and are prepared to return in the near future, will have the opportunity to complete their degrees. As we teach out the programs in a reasonable timeframe — no more than three years — it may be necessary for some students to accelerate their progress, take courses online or shift to new locations, but we are committed to providing an appropriate method for completing their degree program.

  • How does this decision affect students who have graduated from the BOLD or MOL programs?

    Graduates and current students can be proud of their Biola University degrees, of the curriculum from which they have learned and the faculty under whom they have studied. The closure of SPS and the teaching out of these two degrees is simply Biola addressing a series of systemic issues, and is not related in any way to the quality of the programs — which have continued to operate according to Biola's high academic standards. It is not unusual in higher education to make decisions to add and discontinue degree programs based on internal and external factors.

  • Will a degree completion program be in Biola's future?

    We want to take the time to properly research the marketplace. The consolidation of the School of Professional Studies into the breadth of the University will enable us to be more prepared for new models of education and will provide Biola the opportunity to strategize across all of our schools in the areas of distance learning and adult education. We remain committed to fulfilling the mission of Biola University in non-traditional ways across all of our schools in those select programs where we are most positioned to do so.

    We anticipate that further research, coupled with the directives from the new University Plan, will result in a number of new programs for Biola in various delivery modes. The University is considering all possibilities that provide for 21st century learning.

    In President Corey's November 2007 inaugural address, he stated that Biola will be a university of educational breadth and depth that is capable of adjusting to the shifting tectonic plates in the world of higher education. He noted that we must commit to new and strengthened educational ways with a sense of focus and urgency, asking ourselves, "Do we understand these changes, and are we ready?" This means an openness, led by good research to meet the changing educational needs of our constituents.