MISSION

To prepare individuals for a life of service and leadership in the church and in the world. Since 1939, University of Valley Forge has been part of an international network of Assemblies of God colleges and universities. As an educational resource center, the college prepares undergraduate and graduate Pentecostal leaders according to Luke 2:52 – intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially.

 

OUR VALUES

• • Jesus is our Center

  • Students are our Focus

  • Progress is our Expectation

  • Excellence is our Pursuit

  • Servant Leadership is our Identity

  • Teamwork is our Spirit

  • Community is our Calling

     

OUR CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

1. Institutional Identity & Culture: Develop a dynamic community with a distinctively Christian identity and culture where Spirit-filled disciples develop and thrive.

2. Academic Programs & Support: Enhance quality of academic programs in order to produce competent Christian leaders with a global perspective .

3. Enrollment: Recruit and enroll mission-fit students that enrich the university community both on campus and online.

4. Student Experience: The university will support and strengthen services and programs outside the classroom that meet student needs and sustain an environment conducive to student learning.

5. Economic & Operational Sustainability: Enhance sustainability through creative, strategically planned growth initiatives, development, and increased efficiency.

INSTITUTIONAL STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (ISLO)

Institutional Student Learning Outcomes (ISLO) represent students’ abilities at graduation . These outcomes describe in a holistic way what the university expects students to know and be able to do.

1. Communication – Students will effectively analyze and express information and ideas in a variety of appropriate means with clarity and coherence.

2. Information Literacy/Critical Thinking – Students will develop the knowledge and skills needed to locate and evaluate diverse forms of information and use the information to solve problems and answer questions .

3. Interpersonal Skills – Students will demonstrate responsible personal behavior, cooperation and leadership in group settings.

4. Christian Worldview – Students will articulate and apply a Christian worldview from a Pentecostal perspective.

5. Holistic Development – Students will practice a holistic lifestyle with attention to mental, physical, spiritual, and social dimensions of personhood.

6. Professional – Students will articulate the theoretical and practical dimensions of a vocation and demonstrate the essential knowledge and skills necessary to lead with excellence within that vocation.

HISTORY

UVF began in 1939 when several small bible institutes consolidated to form Eastern Bible Institute (EBI) in Green Lane, PA. The oldest of those small schools was Beulah Heights of North Bergen, NJ, which began in 1912. The consolidation also included Metropolitan Bible Institute of Suffern, NY; New England Bible Institute of Framingham, MA; and Pine Crest Bible Institute of Salisbury Center, NY. The Eastern Bible Institute charter was granted to train pastors, evangelists, missionaries, Christian educators and lay workers. Eastern Bible Institute was led by three presidents: Rev. Allan A. Swift (1938 to 1949); Rev. Milton T. Wells (1949 to 1960); and Rev. Robert L. Moore (1960 to 1963).

In March 1967, during the administration of Rev. Paul J. Emery, Sr. (1963 to 1972), EBI was renamed Northeast Bible Institute and earned accreditation from the American Association of Bible Colleges. Emery was succeeded by Rev. Obie L. Harrup, Sr. (1972 to 1979) . In May 1975, under Harrup’s leadership, NBI received provisional approval from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to grant bachelor’s degrees in Bible and the school’s name was changed to Northeast Bible College.

In 1976, Northeast Bible College moved to the site of the former Valley Forge General Hospital in Phoenixville, PA, and the name of the college was officially changed to Valley Forge Christian College (VFCC) on January 1, 1977. In May 1978, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania approved VFCC’s request to grant a Bachelor’s Degree in religious education.

The dramatic progress of the college has continued under the presidents who followed Harrup: Rev. Owen C. Carr (1979 to 1982); Dr. J. Robert Ashcroft (1982 to 1985); Rev. Wesley W . Smith (1985 to 1996); and Dr. Don Meyer (1997 to 2016).

In September 2014, with the approval of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, VFCC was renamed the University of Valley Forge (UVF). In April 2017, Dr . David S . Kim was appointed 10th president of UVF.

In 2014, through the approval of both Middle States Commission of Higher Learning and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the main campus was re-named University of Valley Forge of the Assemblies of God.

FACULTY

The faculty and staff of University of Valley Forge are qualified, caring and, most importantly, called to teaching and leading in their respective areas of ministry and education.

Over 69 percent of our full-time faculty have earned doctoral degrees or are currently engaged in doctoral study that lends itself to one-on-one attention and personal growth.

ACCREDITATION AND APPROVAL

UVF operates under the supervision of a Board of Trustees representing the six geographical districts of the Assemblies of God in the Northeast area of the United States: New Jersey, New York, Northern New England, Pennsylvania-Delaware, Potomac, Southern New England, and also the Spanish Eastern District and the New York Korean Fellowship.

• • The college is endorsed by the Alliance for the Assemblies of God Higher Education as a regional college for the Northeast.

  • UVF is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), 1007 North Orange Street 4th Floor, MB #166 Wilmington, DE 19801, Phone. 267-284-5000; or http://www.msche.org.

  • UVF has been approved by the Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to grant the degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Music, Master of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Social Work, Associate of Arts, and Associate of Science.

  • The Social Work Program is approved by the Council on Social Work Education.

  • UVF is an affiliate member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, an international association of 180 intentionally Christian colleges and universities. The mission of the Council is to advance the cause of Christ-centered higher education and to help institutions transform lives by faithfully relating scholarship and service to biblical truth.
    

The college is listed in the Education Directory of Colleges and Universities published by the U.S. Department of Education.

Accreditation and approval documents are available for review by appropriate individuals. Requests should be made to the office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

LOCATION

UVF is located just a few miles from Valley Forge National Park . Exit 326 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike leads directly to Route 23 and the city of Phoenixville. The college is approximately twenty-five miles northwest of Philadelphia. Pennsylvania Routes 29 and 113 also pass near the college through Phoenixville.

The college is in the midst of the rolling hills of northern Chester County. This historic area is rich in tradition and beauty. This strategic location in the greater Philadelphia metro area provides convenient access to the major cities of the Northeast.

CHAPEL

The purpose of chapel at UVF is to cultivate our relationship with God and each other as a Pentecostal community. Chapel experiences are a vital and integral part of the institutional culture of UVF. We are committed to developing the spiritual life of each student not only through the classroom but also in times of community celebration, worship, inspiration, edification, proclamation of the Word, and corporate prayer. In addition to the regular chapel experiences, special chapel times are set aside for small group, individual class, academic, and topical issues and concerns.