Spokane, Wash. (October 15, 2009) — On October 5, the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board granted permission for Moody Bible Institute–Spokane (MBI-Spokane) to offer five new degree programs, bringing their total degree offerings to eight. The Board found that the programs to be offered are in compliance with the requirements of the Washington Degree-Granting Institutions Act.

”These new degree offerings add a breadth to our academic programs which will enable more of our existing students to pursue their goals here, and will provide prospective students with a wider range of options,” said Jack Lewis, associate dean of faculty at MBI–Spokane.

The five new degree programs that will be offered on the Spokane campus include Bachelor of Arts in Bible (Bible Studies); Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Exposition, Interdisciplinary; Bachelor of Arts in International Ministries; Bachelor of Arts in International Ministries, Interdisciplinary; Bachelor of Arts in Youth Ministry; and Bachelor of Arts in Youth Ministry, Interdisciplinary. These new programs are being added to the existing programs, which are Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies, Associate in Biblical Studies and Bachelor of Science in Missionary Aviation Technology.

“While many of our students over the years have completed their associate's or bachelor's degree here, some have transferred to our Chicago campus or another school because of our limited program offerings in Spokane,” Lewis said.  “With the new degree offerings here, many who might otherwise finish their degree elsewhere will choose to finish at our Spokane campus.”

Currently the Spokane campus has 343 students. Since 2007, the number of new incoming students has increased from 68 to 149 to 216 in 2009. In terms of student body size, this now places MBI–Spokane, were it a stand-alone school, in the upper half of Bible colleges in the nation. As the campus increases in enrollment, Moody is looking forward to offering more degree programs to meet the needs of the students.

The Spokane campus serves as the hub for Moody’s aviation program, one of the only aviation programs in the country dedicated solely to training missionary pilots. Moody Aviation is housed at Felts Field in Spokane. The aviation program moved to Spokane from Elizabethton, Tenn. in 2003.

About Moody

Moody Bible Institute was founded by evangelist Dwight Lyman Moody in 1886. Moody is best known for its education branch, which offers undergraduate, seminary and continuing education programs. Other Moody ministries include Moody Publishers and Moody Radio. To learn more about Moody Bible Institute, please visit www.moody.edu.