Booth University College: A History of Christian Education and Social Justice
Booth University College (Booth UC), formerly known as the Salvation Army William and Catherine Booth University College, stands as a private Christian liberal arts institution in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Affiliated with the Salvation Army, an international Christian organization with operations in over 130 countries, Booth UC blends Christian faith with rigorous scholarship to foster a passion for service and social justice.
Origins and Evolution
The origins of Booth University College can be traced back to The Salvation Army's co-founder, General William Booth, who envisioned establishing a "university of humanity" in the early 20th century. This concept aimed to provide training in evangelistic, missionary, and social work. The institution officially began its journey on February 16, 1981, when the Canada and Bermuda Territory of The Salvation Army, under Territorial Commander Commissioner John D. Waldron, moved to establish a college.
Catherine Booth Bible College
Booth University College was established in 1982 as Catherine Booth Bible College (CBBC). A key early milestone came on August 18, 1983, when CBBC was incorporated by an Act of the Manitoba Legislature, granting it authority to confer degrees such as the Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Biblical and Theological Studies, Bachelor of Arts Advanced in Christian Ministries, and Bachelor of Theology-the institution's first academic offerings centered on religion. This legislative recognition solidified its role as a post-secondary provider of theological education tied to The Salvation Army's global mission.
William and Catherine Booth College
In 1997, the institution was renamed William and Catherine Booth College, honoring The Salvation Army's co-founders, William and Catherine Booth.
Becoming Booth University College
On June 17, 2010, the college officially became Booth University College. This transition reflected the institution's growth and expanded academic offerings beyond theological studies.
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Campus and Location
Booth University College is located in downtown Winnipeg at 290 Vaughan Street. The downtown setting offers distinct advantages, such as easy accessibility via public transit and proximity to cultural amenities, promoting seamless integration with Winnipeg's diverse urban fabric and enhancing opportunities for community engagement.
The main campus building houses classrooms, office space, a chapel, a gymnasium, a cafeteria, and residential accommodation for more than 200 students. Petersen Hall, located at the Vaughan Street portion of the campus, is home to Booth's School for Continuing Studies and a growing business degree program. Opened in January 2015 and officially dedicated on April 25 of that year, Petersen Hall stands as a key addition at 290 Vaughan Street, specifically designed to enhance business programs and continuing studies.
John Fairbank Memorial Library
The University College's John Fairbank Memorial Library is located at 290 Vaughan Street, which is a three-minute walk from the main campus at Webb Place. The library has over 55,000 books as well as a subscription to 115,000 ebooks. The Centre for Salvation Army Studies houses a rare and growing collection of Salvation Army books, pamphlets, reports and periodicals.
Academics and Programs
Booth University College offers a range of undergraduate programs across its schools of Business, Social Work, and Humanities and Social Sciences. Course offerings include social sciences, religion, film, English and business.
Schools and Departments
- School of Business: Offers bachelor's degrees in Business Administration, preparing students for both for-profit and not-for-profit sectors.
- School of Social Work: Provides a Bachelor of Social Work After Degree program, which can be completed in two years.
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences: Offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology, Behavioural Sciences, English and Film Studies, Religion, Community and Urban Transformation, and Interdisciplinary Studies.
Degree Programs
Bachelor of Business Administration
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Bachelor of Social Work
Bachelor of Arts in:
- Psychology
- Behavioural Sciences
- English and Film Studies
- Religion
- Community and Urban Transformation
- Interdisciplinary Studies
Associate Degrees
Certificates in:
- Chaplaincy
- Leadership Essentials
- Not-for-Profit Management
- Biblical and Theological Studies
- Personal Support Worker
- Theological Studies in Salvation Army Studies
Program Highlights
- Psychology Program: Includes streams like Applied Psychology with internships for hands-on experience in human services.
- Behavioural Sciences: Combines psychology and sociology to explore human behavior through Christian and social science lenses.
- English and Film Studies: Focuses on literature and cinematic analysis to develop communication and analytical abilities.
- Religion: Examines Christian theology, history, and world faiths to foster leadership informed by faith.
- Community and Urban Transformation: Explores the city as a dynamic environment, while analyzing urbanization, and urban experiences through a variety of lenses.
- Interdisciplinary Studies: Combines subjects from different disciplines, to create a program that aligns with goals and interests.
- Certificate in Leadership Essentials: A part-time online program fostering foundational skills in relational and socio-political leadership for not-for-profit and spiritual contexts.
- Certificate in Not-for-Profit Management in The Salvation Army: Adapts general management principles to the organization's unique structure for corps and service roles.
- Certificate in Biblical and Theological Studies: A part-time program focusing on scripture and doctrine.
- Certificate in Personal Support Worker: A full- or part-time program combining theory and practice for care roles.
- Certificate in Theological Studies in Salvation Army Studies: Targeted at Salvation Army contexts, emphasizing theological application.
Academic Partnerships
Booth University College has built partnerships that enrich the educational experience of our students and enhance the opportunities available to them. Booth University College is an affiliate member of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). The CCCU supports the enhancement of learning at member Christian colleges and universities. Our students can take advantage of a CCCU travel partnership with BestSemester.com. Study abroad options include: Los Angeles Film Studies Centre, Oxford Scholars’ Semester or Summer Programme, Southeastern China at Xiamen University, and many more. Partnership with Salvation Army includes Student Exchanges and Joint Research.
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Campus Life
Booth University College fosters a vibrant campus life through a variety of extracurricular activities designed to build community and personal growth among its students.
Spiritual Life
Regular chapel services provide opportunities for the campus community to gather for singing, prayer, and faith encouragement, with students actively participating by reading, leading worship, or organizing special events. These services, along with student-led worship nights focused on music and reflection, integrate spiritual development into daily student life. A dedicated chapel, known as the Hetherington Chapel, serves as a central venue for religious services, worship events, and spiritual gatherings, fostering reflection and faith-based activities among students and staff.
Student Organizations
Student involvement extends to clubs and organizations overseen by the Student Council, which reviews applications for new groups to encourage shared interests and leadership. While specific clubs align with academic focuses such as social work and business, these activities help students develop skills in advocacy and collaboration, including events addressing social issues like mental health awareness during Bell Let's Talk Day.
Community Engagement
Community engagement is a cornerstone of student life, deeply tied to partnerships with The Salvation Army. Students participate in volunteer programs in Winnipeg's social services, often through practicum placements that require 200 hours of field experience in areas like crisis care and family services. Also, through our Education Travel course you can travel and learn, with your tuition dollars helping to pay your expenses. Among the many exciting new developments at Booth is the new Urban Service Learning course where all students are engaged in learning about society’s problems and probing for solutions in actual social service settings.
Student Support
Support services at Booth University College enhance student well-being and holistic development. Mental health counseling is accessible through virtual, phone, or in-person sessions via a dedicated wellness program, complemented by academic advising that guides career planning and addresses challenges year-round.
Leadership and Governance
Booth University College is led by its president, Rev. Dr. Rob A. Fringer. The governance structure is overseen by the Board of Trustees, an independent body appointed by the Governing Council of The Salvation Army in Canada. The board includes a mix of Salvation Army representatives, such as commissioned officers like Colonel John Chamness (vice-chair) and Lieutenant Colonel Keith Pike (treasurer), alongside independent members including civilians like Mr. David Michel (chair) and Dr. The academic staff consists of approximately 14 full-time faculty members, supporting teaching and research across disciplines. Administrative hierarchy includes specialized deans, such as Dr. Andrew Eason for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Dr. Cynthia Sottie for the School of Social Work, reporting to the Vice President Academic and Dean, Dr. Marjory Kerr.
Core Values
Salvation Army values are deeply integrated into Booth University College's curriculum, fostering an emphasis on social justice, chaplaincy, and not-for-profit leadership. Their approach to learning is anchored in academic excellence and based on a vision of hope, social justice, and mercy for all. Their commitment is to provide education for a better world. They educate students to understand the complexities of the world, and to be active contributors to society.
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