Your Calling. Your Community. Your Education.
Discover a different approach to Christian higher education through California Christian University’s online and church-based programs.
What if pursuing your education didn’t mean stepping away from the community you’re called to serve?
For many pastors, ministry leaders, and individuals seeking a deeper understanding of Scripture, continuing their education is an important goal. Yet traditional university schedules, travel requirements, and financial commitments can make that goal difficult to pursue.
At California Christian University (CCU), we believe that the pursuit of biblical knowledge should be accessible to individuals who are committed to growing in their faith and serving their communities.
Through online learning and church-based extension programs, CCU provides opportunities for students to pursue theological education while remaining connected to their families, ministries, and local congregations.
University Built Around a Mission
California Christian University is a private, nonprofit religious degree-granting institution headquartered in Victorville, California.
Since its beginnings in the 1990s, CCU has focused on providing biblical and theological education to individuals seeking to strengthen their understanding of Scripture and prepare for Christian leadership.
The university’s mission centers on equipping pastors, ministers, and Christian leaders with the knowledge and preparation necessary to serve their churches and communities.
Inspired by the biblical calling found in Ephesians 4:11–13, CCU recognizes education as an important part of preparing individuals for ministry, leadership, and service.
Today, CCU offers theological studies at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, with learning opportunities that extend beyond a traditional university campus.
Your Church Can Be a Place of Higher Learning
Imagine gathering with members of your congregation—not only for worship and fellowship, but also to study theology, explore Scripture, and grow academically together.
Through CCU’s Extension Programs, participating churches can become places where higher education and local ministry come together.
Rather than requiring every student to travel to a university campus, the extension model allows organized groups of students to participate in educational programs through participating church locations.
This creates a meaningful opportunity for individuals who value in-person learning and the encouragement of studying alongside others who share their faith.
The advantages extend beyond convenience.
Students have the opportunity to engage in biblical discussions, build relationships with fellow learners, and connect what they study with the ministries and communities they already serve.
For pastors and church leaders, an extension program can also provide an opportunity to encourage continued theological education within their congregation.
A church becomes more than a gathering place. It becomes a community of learning, preparation, and spiritual growth.
Extension classes are offered through participating locations, with availability and schedules varying by program.
CCU Modesto Extension Program | October 2026
California Christian University is excited to welcome students to our Modesto Extension Program, with classes beginning this October 2026! Through our church-based extension programs, students have the opportunity to pursue biblical and theological education in person, right within their local faith community. We look forward to a new season of learning, spiritual growth, and fellowship!
Online Education That Works With Your Life
Not every student lives near a participating extension location. Others may prefer the flexibility of pursuing their studies independently.
CCU’s distance-learning programs provide another pathway for individuals who wish to continue their theological education while managing professional, family, and ministry responsibilities.
Whether you are a pastor preparing sermons, a working parent balancing family commitments, or a church member seeking deeper biblical understanding, online education can make continued learning more practical.
CCU’s approach recognizes that education does not have to be limited to a traditional classroom.
What matters is the opportunity to pursue meaningful academic development and apply what is learned.
From Biblical Knowledge to Meaningful Service
Christian education is about more than completing assignments or earning a degree.
It is an opportunity to examine Scripture more deeply, strengthen theological understanding, and develop the knowledge necessary to approach ministry with greater preparation.
At CCU, theological education is connected to a larger purpose: equipping individuals to serve.
For some students, that may mean preparing for pastoral ministry. For others, it may mean becoming better equipped to teach, lead Bible studies, participate in church leadership, or contribute more effectively to their congregations.
The goal is not simply to gain knowledge, but to consider how that knowledge can be used responsibly and meaningfully.
Making Theological Education More Accessible
Higher education is a significant commitment, and affordability often plays an important role in deciding whether to enroll.
CCU recognizes the importance of providing educational opportunities at accessible tuition rates while maintaining its focus on biblical and theological studies.
By offering online and extension-based learning opportunities, the university provides alternatives to educational models that require relocation or regular travel to a central campus.
Prospective students are encouraged to explore available programs, review tuition and academic requirements, and speak with CCU representatives to determine which learning option best meets their needs.
A Shared Opportunity for Students and Churches
One of the distinctive aspects of CCU’s educational approach is the opportunity for churches to participate in expanding access to theological education.
Church leaders who are interested in encouraging biblical education within their congregations can explore opportunities to partner with CCU through its extension model.
For students, this may mean discovering an educational opportunity within a familiar community.
For churches, it may mean creating additional pathways for members and ministry leaders to pursue structured theological studies.
Together, these opportunities reflect a shared commitment to biblical education, Christian leadership, and service.
A Shared Opportunity for Students and Churches
One of the distinctive aspects of CCU’s educational approach is the opportunity for churches to participate in expanding access to theological education.
Church leaders who are interested in encouraging biblical education within their congregations can explore opportunities to partner with CCU through its extension model.
For students, this may mean discovering an educational opportunity within a familiar community.
For churches, it may mean creating additional pathways for members and ministry leaders to pursue structured theological studies.
Together, these opportunities reflect a shared commitment to biblical education, Christian leadership, and service.
Your Next Chapter Can Begin Where You Are
You do not have to leave your calling behind to continue your education.
Whether you prefer the flexibility of online learning or the experience of studying alongside others at a participating church, California Christian University invites you to explore the possibilities.
Your desire to learn, grow, and serve may be the beginning of a meaningful new chapter.
Explore your educational opportunities at California Christian University.
Interested in becoming a student or learning how your church can participate in an extension program?
Visit www.californiachristianuniversity.org or contact contact@californiachristianuniversity.org to learn more.