Simpson University

simpson university moodle

Close-Knit, Christian Liberal Arts Education at Simpson

Simpson University appears in our ranking of 50 Great Affordable Colleges in the West.

Ranked the West’s 91st best college by the U.S. News & World Report, Simpson University is a nonprofit, coed Christian & Missionary Alliance member in Redding that grants 33 bachelor’s and six master’s degrees, including five fully online, at a 7:1 student-teacher ratio. For example, the B.S. in Biology shapes a 120-unit, four-year plan with opportunities to declare the Biotech Specialization, conduct Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies projects, enter the Research Challenge, and travel to Costa Rica. Directed by Dr. Peter Young, the 2017 Professor of the Year, the ASPIRE Program provides a 16-month B.S. in Organizational Leadership with 82 percent retention in 12 five-week online courses like Group Communication and Human Resources for associate grads transferring 60+ units.

Online on Moodle since 2007, the A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary led by Dr. Patrick Blewett starts a 74-unit Master of Divinity thrice annually for Christ followers to enter ordained ministry after 6000-level courses like Biblical Interpretation and pastoral practicum, such as the Trinity Alliance Church. Chaired by Dr. Adeline Jackson, the M.A. in Counseling Psychology builds a 70-unit, BBS-approved curriculum for future Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists to complete seven-week Redding night classes, six clinical practica like Dunamis Wellness, and capstone theses.

Other Simpson degrees include the B.A. in Liberal Studies, B.A. in Outdoor Leadership, B.A. in World Missions, B.S. in Mathematics, B.S. in Nursing, B.A. in Spanish, M.A. in Education, and M.A. in Ministry Leadership.

About Simpson University

Simpson University originated in 1921 when President W.W. Newberry opened the Simpson Bible Institute in Seattle to honor the Christian & Missionary Alliance founder. In 1940, it expanded its two-year ministry program with theology, Bible, and music majors. Fifteen years later, the Institute headed south to San Francisco and became Simpson Bible College. In 1971, it adopted a four-year liberal arts curriculum for Bachelor of Arts degrees. In 1989, engineers broke ground to erect its permanent Redding campus in the Sacramento Valley. In 2004, Simpson formed a partnership with the College of the Siskiyous in Weed. That same year, Simpson reached university status with master’s education available. In Fall 2006, Simpson University created an accelerated 16-month format for the ASPIRE Program. In 2011, Simpson admitted an inaugural class of 26 for the RN-to-BSN Step-Up Program.

Endowed for $6.49 million, Simpson University now employs 245 faculty and 131 staff serving 1,012 Red Hawks from nine countries online, on the 85-acre Shasta Cascade Region campus, or at the Woodland Center with 10 clubs like the Student Veterans Organization. In 2017, Simpson received its seventh NAIA Cal-Pac Conference Sportsmanship Award. In 2018, Simpson accepted the Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Programs Grant. California’s only Christian school north of Sacramento was named a 2019 “College of Distinction” too. On Niche, Simpson boasts America’s 62nd best religious studies, 235th best history degrees, and 337th top business programs. College Factual placed Simpson 104th for human resources, 191st for theology, and 225th for music. Washington Monthly crowned Simpson University the West’s 123rd best buck. The Economist listed Simpson 663rd for most value-added education.

Simpson University Accreditation Details

On February 22, 2019, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission voted to reaffirm the Level III accreditation status at Simpson University through Fall 2024 with a “Notice of Concern” under the 15th president, Dr. Norman D. Hall, who received an NACCAP Christian College Daily Award. Located 218 miles down Interstate 5 in Alameda, this esteemed eight-territory Pacific Region accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and California Bureau for Private Post-Secondary Education (BPPE). Further, the Betty M. Dean School was accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) on January 28, 2015.

Simpson University Application Requirements

Admission to Simpson University is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because only 327 of the 627 Fall 2017 applicants were selected for 52 percent acceptance. First-year Red Hawks must finish a state-approved high school, home school, or GED diploma. The BSN in Nursing requires Algebra II, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics courses. Cumulative secondary GPAs of 3.0 and higher are required. The School of Nursing moves the benchmark up to a 3.2 GPA. Freshmen need a minimum 910 SAT or 17 ACT composite score. Incoming BSN majors shoot for at least 560 Math SAT or 20 Math ACT marks. The Office of the Registrar accepts a maximum 90 credits graded C or better for GPAs above 2.5. Graduate programs always require a regionally accredited bachelor’s and minimum 2.5 GPA in the last 60 credits. Priority is given to M.A. in Counseling Psychology entrants with 3.0 GPAs plus prerequisites, such as Human Development and Theories of Personality. The School of Education also seeks verification of passing CBEST status.

Simpson University has an Early Action period of November 1st to December 1st for freshmen. Undergrad course registration deadlines are August 15th for Fall or January 1st for Spring. The ASPIRE Program suggests applying at least one month before the September 4th, January 9th, and May 7th starts. The M.A. in Counseling Psychology has a December 1st priority and March 1st final deadline. School of Nursing cohorts must file by June 16th or October 6th. The A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary considers candidates until August 1st and December 1st. Accordingly, complete the Simpson Application online with $35 by credit or debit card. Forward official high school or college transcripts to 2211 College View Drive in Redding, CA 96003. Request testing reports with SAT/TOEFL code 4698 or ACT code 0430. Attach checklist items, such as the spiritual reference, current resume, two professional recommendations, typed 1,500-word essay, and student visa. Contact (530) 224-5600 or [email protected] with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, Simpson University is billing traditional full-time undergrads $15,590 by semester or $31,180 annually. Studying part-time in Redding costs $1,300 per unit. Summer Session courses are cheaper at $433 per unit. Residing at the six dorms like Currie-Ediger Hall adds $2,058 to $3,983 each semester. Red Hawk Bucks 21-meal plans for Emeriti Dining Center are $2,384 extra. Undergrads pay the $100 orientation fee, $225 activity fee, $75 campus safety fee, and $153 insurance fee. Simpson budgets $1,704 for books and $3,071 for miscellaneous. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals $43,925 on-site or $36,720 if commuting. The ASPIRE Program bills non-traditional adults $544 per unit. M.A. in Counseling Psychology cohorts cover $535 per unit. The School of Education has master’s tuition of $650 per unit. Theology courses are $447 per unit or $1,341 apiece.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Student Financial Services Office in Owens Center Suite 201 connects 89 percent of full-time Simpson Red Hawks to tuition aid averaging $13,481 each for $9.35 million combined. University funds include the Bethel Revivalist Scholarship, Mosaic Scholarship, Educators Scholarship, Imago Dei Scholarship, NorCal Promise Scholarship, YWAM 7Spheres Scholarship, Carr & Camp Fire Scholarship, Legacy Alliance Scholarship, Christian Worker Dependent Grant, Gateway Opportunity Scholarship, Music Scholarship, Athletic Scholarship, and Inspire Scholarship. The EOPS Scholarship gifts $1,500 annually to five low-income community college transfers. The President’s Academic Scholarship provides up to $19,000 for outstanding freshmen meeting the 1300 SAT or 27 ACT minimum. Federal programs, such as the Pell Grant or Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, require FAFSA applications coded 001291. The California Student Aid Commission has a March 2nd deadline for Cal Grant, Chafee Grant, Middle Class Scholarship, and other options.

Search through five accredited divisions granting 40+ evangelical Christian degrees at the Simpson University website.