Student Body
SUM upholds the scriptural truth that Jesus Christ came to establish a ministry of reconciliation. We are committed to the ministry of mending the brokenhearted and living in unity and equality. We embrace students of many different cultural, ethnic and racial backgrounds. For information about the diversity of the college and seminary student body, go to http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter, and look up our institution, under Final Release Data: “SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary.”
For more details on Student Body FTE and Headcount, please click here.
Directory
- Executive Team
- Departments
- Academics – Email: [email protected] Phone (916) 306-1628 ext 403
- Business and Financial Aid – Email: [email protected]
- Cohorts – Email: [email protected] Phone: (916) 306-0897 ext 409
- Enrollment – Email: [email protected] Phone: (916) 306-1201 ext 416
- Staff – https://www.sum.edu/staff/
- Faculty – https://www.sum.edu/faculty/
Religious Expressions Disclosure
School of Urban Missions Bible College and Theological Seminary (SUM) is a private, not for profit, coeducational, ministerial training, Bible and theology college that believes its Spirit-empowered Christian community provides a supportive and challenging environment in which to pursue a quality education. The College assumes that it is essential to offer educational opportunity within a context of free inquiry and academic integrity. SUM is a community that encourages individual integrity and responsibility in accordance with biblical Christianity and its social and ethical implications.
SUM 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 college affiliated with the Assemblies of God, SUM 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 and employee hiring and general employment practices. SUM retains all rights afforded under federal law and the laws of the State of California.
Adapted from https://www.vanguard.edu/about/compliance-and-disclosures
School Performance and Graduation Fact Sheet
General Disclosures
SUM complies with federal requirements to share and post detailed and specific consumer information. Here, you will find links to the required information and documents to keep on file for your records. Should you have any questions you can always feel free to contact the Admissions or Student Financial Services offices, and we will be happy to assist you.
Institutional Information
About SUM
SUM is a private, coeducational, Bible College & Theological Seminary connected with its Pentecostal/Charismatic Christian community. This movement generates a multi-cultural, multi-racial, and gender-inclusive fellowship empowered by the Holy Spirit. Evangelism, peacemaking, and reconciliation mark this fellowship. SUM is committed to reaching out to all people with the gospel and building cultural diversity, racial reconciliation, and gender equality.
Catalog
The college catalog provides a publication describing academic programs, student services, general regulations, requirements and procedures. The publication describes all classes offered by the institution. https://www.sum.edu/catalog
Academic Programs
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) has granted SUM approval to operate and grant degrees within the State of California. Approval to operate means compliance with minimum standards set forth by the WASC. Any questions a student may have regarding this catalog that have not been satisfactorily answered by the institution may be directed to the WASC at:
WASC Senior College and University Commission
1001 Marina Village Parkway
Suite 402
Alameda, CA 94501
https://www.wscuc.org/
Undergraduate Degree
The undergraduate degree program in theology and ministry as well as worship and ministry is specially focused on equipping students for effective ministry through academic instruction combined with hands-on ministry and personal mentorship that help students attain a fundamental grounding in Biblical Studies.
https://www.sum.edu/undergraduate/
Graduate Degrees
There are three Master’s degrees with special concentrations. They are: Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, Master of Arts in Christian Leadership and Master of Divinity.
State Authorization
For the most updated status of State Authorization, please click on the link below.
SUM State Authorization Status
Program Review
SUM performs annual program review to ensure quality, relevance, and effectiveness of all its degrees. The program review process entails self-study report based on the collection of student and faculty data, along with feedback and recommendations for change and improvements. This continual process promotes academic excellence, ensures compliance with accreditation standards, and aligns the program with the evolving needs of students.
2023 Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Ministry
2023 Master of Acts in Biblical Studies
2023 Master of Arts in Christian Leadership
Accreditation
SUM is accredited with two major accreditation agencies:
1. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
2023 WASC Annual Report Summary
2. The Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
2023 ABHE Annual Report Summary
Other Information
- Admissions Process
- Admissions process and applications guidelines can be found in our website. https://www.sum.edu/apply/
- Plagiarism
- Plagiarism is a serious academic offense that can result in student discipline including withdrawal. For more information regarding this please check our school catalogue.
- Graduate Employment
- SUM is committed to recruit, train and send out men and women who have a passion to proclaim Jesus Christ to the cities of our world. We offer an affordable theological education combining academic excellence, practical hands on ministry, and personal mentorship. Our holistic approach challenges student character and strengthens their abilities for ministry. Information regarding this is available in our Graduate Performance Report information from our website.
https://www.sum.edu/california-consumer-disclosures
- SUM is committed to recruit, train and send out men and women who have a passion to proclaim Jesus Christ to the cities of our world. We offer an affordable theological education combining academic excellence, practical hands on ministry, and personal mentorship. Our holistic approach challenges student character and strengthens their abilities for ministry. Information regarding this is available in our Graduate Performance Report information from our website.
Financial Aid Information
SUM Tuition Scholarship
SUM provides generous aid to full-time undergraduate students by billing only for the first 10 credits per term up to 16.34 with the exception of billing for two ECO Practicum credits. Anything above 16.34 credits will be billed at $280/credit hour rate.
SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary offers low tuition. Financial aid is available should students need assistance. Below are some of the financial aid programs available. SUM participates in the Federal Pell Grant program as well as the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program, also known as Title IV funding.
Financial Aid Process
A student may begin the process by applying for a FSA ID – parents of Dependent Students will also need a FSA ID. To create a FSA ID go to the FSA ID website https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm to begin the process. If you have had a PIN in the past if you are able to link your FSA ID to your previous PIN then you may begin the FAFSA immediately. If you did not or cannot you will need to wait 2-3 days for your FSA ID to be validated. Once your FSA ID is established it is possible to complete a FAFSA by going to the FAFSA website www.fafsa.ed.gov and entering the SUM school code: 037524.
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant Program provides federal funds for students of families that qualify. To be eligible, an applicant must be a United States citizen or permanent resident, demonstrate financial need, and must not have previously received a bachelor’s (or higher) degree. Award amounts are based on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), Cost of Education and number of credit hours you are attending as determined by the Financial Aid Office.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
This Federal need-based grant is available to undergraduate, Pell-Grant-eligible students that demonstrate financial need according to a federal eligibility formula.
Loans
SUM participates in the Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program (FDSL). Students and parents may borrow up to the cost of attendance through these federally subsidized and unsubsidized loans. To be eligible for an FDSL loan, students and/or parents must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov
Scholarships
Students in need for financial assistance may explore the scholarships opportunities available from the following websites:
- Fastweb: www.fastweb.com
- UNIGO: www.unigo.com
- StudentScholarshipSearch: www.studentscholarshipsearch.com
- College Board: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search
Students are encouraged to seek other support such as church sponsorships and scholarships offered by outside organizations to qualified students.
Veterans Benefits
You may be eligible for Veterans benefits at SUM Bible College based on your affiliation with the military. Please visit the VA Benefits website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp to review the type of VA benefit you may be eligible to receive and on the application process.
Withdrawal from SUM
Students who find it necessary to withdraw from school prior to the first day of classes must notify the Admissions Department. A student may voluntarily withdraw (VWD) from a class or all classes during and after the Add/Drop Date. If a student fails to attend a class for which he/she has register and if the student fails to communicate to the faculty member the reason(s) for missing the first two weeks of class, SUM’s registrar will remove the student’s classes from his/her enrollment and all funding will be returned to the appropriate agencies. This forced withdrawal does not remove any financial obligation the student has incurred. For more information on SUM withdrawal policies students may check our catalogue by visiting our website the www.sum.edu
FERPA
Under the Family Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), students have the right to restrict the release of certain records (grades, billing, tuition, fees, financial aid, and other student information) maintained by SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary. For more information please visit http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html or call (202) 260-3887
SUM Safety Documents
Safety documents can be accessed from the link
- Annual Campus Security and Safety Report
- Clery Acts
- Drug Free Notification
- FERPA
- Student Handbook
Complaints
Student complaints are taken to the department head for which the student has a problem. If the department head is unable or unwilling to resolve the issue, the student makes a formal written complaint to the Student Life Committee or Academic Dean. If the student’s issue is still unresolved, the student can make a written complaint to the President.
If the student believes that an issue cannot be resolved internally, a student or any member of the public may file a complaint regarding this institution with the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) by calling (888) 370-7589 or by completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the Bureau’s website (http://www.bppe.ca.gov). More information can be found in the academic catalog.
Students residing in certain states may have further recourse to lodge a complaint through their state’s higher education authority or the attorney general’s office. For more information, see the relevant information in the following section on state authorizations.
