All over the world, the foundations of most countries have religious backgrounds. Great missionaries from the USA and Britain traveled worldwide to preach the bible’s good news. Many continents, including Africa, laid their foundations on Religion. Most expensive schools, both universities, and colleges are faith-based. Many are Catholics, and Protestants, among others. Harvard University was founded by Puritans which is a faith-based organization. Let us know about that the Attending Faith-Based College.
Attending a faith-based college is more advantageous than other universities since they have much to offer to produce a well-rounded individual. In a faith-based college, the spirit of togetherness is highly captivated since the learners can inculcate religious teachings. Unity and diversity are found in faith-based colleges because all learners share the same beliefs and practices, creating a better environment for all. It is more advisable to attend a faith-based college as compared to other universities.
A faith-based college or university is a term used to refer to a private institution with its foundations on a specific religious purpose. Even though other courses are offered, religious education is a must. Religion culture is highly captivated in such institutions, i.e., attending masses is a must in Catholic-based colleges. Their primary focus is on character development and academic improvement. They emphasize shaping the spiritual lives of learners.
Many people ask if one does not subscribe to any faith, is it possible to get admitted is a faith-based college? This article will discuss the different types of faith-based colleges, reasons for attending a faith-based university, curriculum components, and the campus culture in a faith-based college.
What is the cost of attending faith-based colleges?
In the united state of America, the cost of attending a public regular college range between $8,893 while attending private college range between $ 30,090. Talking of Christian college cost is a bit low but usually depends on the college size. This means that the smaller the college, the lesser the amount of managing it.
Faith-based colleges don’t have much cost, and it is easy to maintain them because the professor’s salaries and maintenance costs are less. A semester for the small Faith-based colleges charges $2000, whereas, for such a small fee, students can enroll in an entire course of study. At the same time, great faith-based colleges may have many expenses, which makes the tuition fee go up to $30,000 per year or even more.
Faith-based colleges may charge other additional fees, such as gym fees, technology fees for the use of the internet in the college, and health services fees.
What are the reasons for attending a religious school?
Some of the reasons to consider, maybe as follows;
1. They offer a faith-based environment. Most religious environments are easily identified by the building structures i.e., a synagogue, and some have a chapel where services are performed. Religious aspects are found almost everywhere in the school compound.
2. Most faith-based institutions offer quality education. Many undergraduates, masters, and even Ph.D. holders have great names acquired from these institutions. i.e., World Report. Many universities are widely recognized and known to be the most prestigious.
3. The atmosphere in faith-based colleges is much familiar to many learners, especially those who schooled in such schools in their early lives. Many societal values are religious based, making such schools fit the environment.
4. In faith-based colleges, the student body is very active. Learners engage themselves in co-curricular activities as other normal universities do. The social life is all the same, except for the added religious aspect.
5. Compared to other universities with many students and too large lecture classes, faith-based universities have a smaller population and thus small class sizes. This increases the efficiency of learning.
6. In faith-based colleges, faith is discussed in all subjects, unlike in other universities where faith is only studied in religious programs, which is an added advantage.
7. Religious institutions encourage a strong community of learned people. Since they engage in many activities and the population is not large, every learner gets engaged. The interactions create bonds where they live as a family taking good care of each other.
8. Religious courses are incorporated into the school curriculum in a diversified manner providing much information to the learners concerning their faith.
9. People sharing the same faith while in the same compound have much to share and help each other grow spiritually. This can be done through discussions, studying religion together as well as prayers.
10. Religious schools emphasize service. It can be informed of service to God and others in society. This enhances a peaceful environment. Being each other’s keeper creates a conflict-free society.
What are the curriculum components in faith-based colleges?
Any school curriculum has to be strong and healthy to qualify. A robust curriculum has certain specific features evident in a faith-based school curriculum. These features are as follows;
1. A standard curriculum must be well articulated. This means that the curriculum can meet the competencies of a state regarding schooling mission. The goals of the curriculum must be clear to both the learner and the instructor. Education aims to produce an active member of society who is responsible. This feature is evident in religious institutions. There are many competitive graduates from the schools in the labor market with qualified knowledge as well as skills.
2. A standard curriculum is vertically aligned. The flow from one level to the other should have a connection. This makes it possible to achieve the set goals and objectives. It also prevents learning gaps which is a component the religious colleges.
3. Horizontal alignment is another important feature in the faith-based curriculum. A teacher can plan, and a scheduled lesson offers a better understanding to the learners. The curriculum has a clear purpose in the school’s mission and vision that the learners can feel.
4. Programs offered in faith-based universities are recognized as professional with much value, just like any university. This means that the curriculum offered is very quality. Many of these schools have published professional material and books and participate in professional field research recognized and used worldwide. i.e., the US theology
5. The excellent teaching in religious institutions justifies how the selection of curriculum content was perfectly made. Different religious colleges offer different religious knowledge depending on the faith foundation. So, every learner fits in a school that aligns with their faith, where they feel comfortable promoting a good learning environment.
The campus culture in a faith-based college
The environment is friendly, and the community is knit. This is because all the learners ascribe to the same faith, so they are expected to behave the same religiously. The culture has a religious aspect which many people consider boring, especially the youths who claim they are in a free society. The school’s ethical standards are stringent; even though people hate rules, they can not leave without them. It can be said that life in these schools is not boring since they also engage in other social activities, i.e., sports, music festivals, etc.
The religious schools uphold many Christian values that benefit the entire community: integrity and respect. Every learner must adhere to these values and engage in daily activities such as attending church services, bible studies, etc. Sometimes most schools prescribe a specific mode of dressing that is in line with their faith.
Religious education is part of life on campus regardless of whether the learner is taking a different course. For example, Theology is a core curriculum program in many religious colleges. This is an added advantage. Religious language and features are displayed inside and outside the school environment; it is a Christian community.
The challenges experienced by other normal institutions are equally the same in faith-based institutions. Such challenges may include; poor time management, relationships, etc. Both the instructors and the learners in this environment know the Christian faith. Learners can share their experiences, explore different fields, and interact with other universities, creating awareness among learners.
In conclusion, faith is an essential aspect when choosing a career. Even though many people do not like environments with strict rules, these rules help in shaping an individual giving forth a better citizen to the state. These faith-based institutions play a major role in society by maintaining an attractive Christian organization. Attending a faith-based college is not a wrong decision, but the best one can make. No regrets attached.
Frequently asked question
- What aspects should a person consider before selecting a religious college?
The method for assessing the colleges people are considering attending is quite similar to balancing a scale. The objective is to tip the scales so that the benefits outweigh those on the other. There are a few things to consider before deciding to join a religious college. Such as knowledge of new concepts, Educational, religious, and LGBT rights influences.
- Does being religious require a person to attend a religious college?
Not at a lot at all. Suppose people wonder what makes a Catholic university different from a conventional one. In that case, it all revolves around the fact that since religious colleges are private organizations, the concept of the church and state being separated does not apply to them.
