Booth University College is a Christian university college in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba, rooted in The Salvation Army's Wesleyan tradition.
Booth University College is a Christian university college rooted in The Salvation Army's Wesleyan theological tradition. Located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, its campus is in the heart of downtown at 290 Vaughan Street. The college describes its mission as bringing together Christian faith, rigorous scholarship and a passion for service, and its commitment is to provide Education for a Better World.
The impetus for the college can be traced to The Salvation Army's founder, General William Booth, and his dream of a 'University of Humanity'. Catherine Booth Bible College officially opened in June 1982 under first President Colonel Earl Robinson, with classes beginning in September with 28 students. The institution was first incorporated as The Salvation Army Catherine Booth Bible College in August 1983. In June 2010, the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba passed legislation granting university college status and changing the name to Booth University College.
The college has five schools: School of Business, School of Social Work, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School for Continuing Studies, and School of Graduate Studies. The Bachelor of Business Administration program was launched in 2010. The School for Continuing Studies was established in 2014 to replace and expand the work of the Extended Learning Network. The homepage lists an average class size of 18 and a student-faculty ratio of 14:1.
The John Fairbank Memorial Library opened at 290 Vaughan Street in August 2005 and was officially dedicated on April 28, 2006. Listed campus facilities include Booth Bistro, Hospitality Services, a library meeting room, the Academic Learning Centre, and Student Services.
The college is authorized by the Province of Manitoba to grant degrees, diplomas, and certificates of standing through The Degree Granting Act and The Salvation Army William and Catherine Booth University College Incorporation Act. The college is currently engaged in the process for determining its readiness for candidate for accreditation status with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). In 2002, the college conferred its first honorary degree, a Doctor of Divinity, upon Colonel Earl Robinson.