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Booth University College strives to bring its Christian faith rooted in The Salvation Army and give students education for a better world.
While the school is associated with the Salvation Army, Rob Fringer, President of Booth University College says that that only makes up a small population of the student body. "I think currently it's around 15 per cent of our student body, so it's a smaller group."
The post-secondary institution has drawn students from across the globe. "We have students from 21 different countries. Some of those are Salvationists, and some of them are not. We have students from across Canada, again, some from the Salvation Army, some not," Fringer says.
Several program opportunities
The school emphasizes providing quality education through four distinct schools which make up Booth. "We have the School of Social Work and that's probably seen as our flagship. We've done a lot of great work in the School of Social Work. It's been going on for many years. We have a pre-BSW degree, the regular four-year program and then an after-degree."
Booth is now making it easier to enroll in the social work program. "We've opened up ongoing intake enrollment. Traditionally, in social work programs, you can only start in September in the fall. Students can now start in January or in our spring term as well."
There is also the School of Business which Fringer says "offers two-year, three-year, and four-year options."
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences gives students options such as behavioural science, English, film and interdisciplinary studies among others.
Fringer says that the School for Continuing Studies offers "A number of small certificate programs for various levels. Our most well-known one would be our certificate in chaplaincy and spiritual care. We've had a lot of graduates who are working all over Canada in chaplaincy areas, both in the Salvation Army and in other places."
"We have some of the best professors here with great degrees. But more than that, great teaching and great care for students. Our average class size is about 18 students with a ratio of about 14 to one students to faculty. With the smaller class sizes, they know the students. They know their names. Students can ask questions for clarification in class," Fringer says.
Active student life
As Booth UC follows the motto, "Education for a better world," Fringer says, "It's the very core to who we are. We believe education not only equips but it also empowers, and so it's very powerful in that sense. It empowers those who are able to have this experience to then have the responsibility to make a difference in our world. So we encourage all of our students to be involved."
Students are actively involved in the community. "Our students volunteer every year between 34,000 and 38,000 hours in the community, and we have partnerships with between 140 and 180 organizations," says Fringer.
Another important point that Fringer wants all students to understand is the importance of where the school is located. "Every student has to take a course called urban service learning and it's just what it sounds like. They get to understand the Downtown setting that we are in as an institution that we've been committed to for our entire existence."
Currently, Fringer says there are 27 students volunteering at the Centre of Hope working in the shelter. "They're learning about what it means to not only minister in various settings but also what it means to be a part who gives back and a person who is committed to the larger community and the mission of who we are as the church."
While Booth recently moved buildings, Fringer says that it is "Much more fit for our mission and for who we are." The institution moved from 477 Webb Place to 290 Vaughan Street and had its grand opening on September 28, 2024. It also utilizes the third-floor south tower at 123 Main Street for eight additional classrooms. "Between those two, they are only two kilometres apart. We're able to service our students and better service the Downtown area," Fringer says.