5-acre (2-hectare) campus in Oakland, Calif. Affiliated with the Christian Evangelical Church of America, the institution began as Oakland Bible Institute, founded in 1944 by evangelist Bebe Patten. In 1966 it became Patten Bible College and in 1978 took its current name. Patten College focuses on undergraduate Christian education. Majors are offered in biblical studies, liberal arts, ministries, pastoral studies, and sacred music. More than half of the students go on to graduate work in theology. Patten enrolls about 1,000 students, most of whom are state residents. More men than women seek degrees. Minorities make up about 60 percent of the student body, with significant percentages of African Americans and Asian Americans. About two thirds of the students attend part-time, and about three fifths of the students are over the age of 25. The campus has a limited amount of student housing. The college has a varsity men's basketball team that competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Other extracurricular activities include a drama group, chorus, the student-run newspaper, and student government. |