A Rich Heritage

ince the late 1970’s, Golden State School of Theology has produced scores of graduates... many that have gone on to pastor successful churches, serve as missionaries, teachers, and evangelists. Students from GSST have entered into ministries throughout the world... and in many cases, have used their credits or degrees to transfer to other fully-accredited colleges or seminaries, where they continued to pursue further academic goals and degrees. Needless to say, we are proud of the rich heritage of GSST.

Golden State School of Theology was initially founded in 1979 by evangelical pastors and lay persons. At the time of its inception, GSST was known as Spring Valley Bible College and Seminary. The name was changed in 1985 to better represent the school, which by that time had moved to Oakland, CA. Organized as a nonprofit educational corporation, the college provided non-traditional, external study programs exclusively until 1982. At that time, a traditional, on campus program was offered in Alameda, CA.

In September 1984, in order to serve a growing student population, the main campus moved from Alameda to Oakland, CA. Our combined external and on-campus student population reached nearly 350. Then, in the mid-1980's, GSST took a great international step of providing our materials for resident campuses in Nigeria and the Philippines. In 1999, we began the same services to a program in Malaysia. The main offices now reside in Stockton, CA.

Today, under the guidance of our outstanding faculty and administrative staff, Golden State School of Theology continues to grow on a national and international scope. We have students from around the world studying with us through our online Directed Internet Studies (DIS) program.

We do hope that you will choose to study with Golden State School of Theology. Please review our program descriptions as listed from our online menu below, or download our complete 53 page General Catalog. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at  Info@GoldenState.edu. For fastest service, please submit your application via our Internet form. Since GSST is exclusively an Internet school, we do not provide programs via postal mail.

Our Mission

Golden State School of Theology exists for the express purpose providing a high quality programs of Bible centered study. We do this in order to better equip men and women for the work of the Christian Ministry, wherever they may live, at a modest cost, consistent with student financial resources, and to provide this unique educational opportunity at all post-secondary levels, providing appropriate recognition for previous education and experience.

Philosophy of Education

The educational programs and curricula of Golden State have been carefully designed to offer and unusual blend of Christian higher education. This, combined with the work of the ministry in the local church assembly and para-church organizations, our programs can be tailored to meet the individual needs of the busy vocational Christian worker and dedicated layperson alike. Any individual who desires to begin, further, or complete his/her formal Christian education will most probably find a program at Golden State School of Theology which will meet his/her specific needs.

Please take time to review our Undergraduate Programs, Graduate Programs, and our Doctoral Programs. Our listing of course descriptions can be viewed at our pages for Undergraduate Courses and Graduate/Postgraduate Courses. For more detailed information regarding GSST programs, please order a copy of the General Catalog.

Courses often considered a part of secular education, which are required for traditional post-secondary programs within the State of California are also required in our undergraduate programs. However, these are built upon a Biblical framework of history and philosophy, emphasizing the special creation and sovereign control of all things by the Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:16-20), recognizing that all true knowledge centers in Him (Colossians 1:10; 2:3, 2:8-10). We believe that our graduates need this broad background to equip them to better and more effectively serve the Lord in this present world.

This conservative, evangelical Christian approach rejects as scientifically and Biblically false the humanistic, evolutionary philosophy currently prevalent in secular education. Thus, Golden State School of Theology seeks to train its students in terms of a consistent Biblical, Christian viewpoint in every field of study. This is not a narrow point of view, rather, it seeks to recognize and explain all documented facts of science and history within their proper Biblical context. Interpretations, which are contrary to this perspective, are not ignored, but rather are critically examined in order to text and substantiate the superiority of the Biblical framework.

Academic Standards

Because we believe so strongly in the integrated approach to Christian Education, GSST makes no distinction between degrees earned in classroom residency and those earned in external, distance education programs. In order to protect the credibility of our programs, and, therefore, the earned degrees of our graduates, our academic standards are among the highest in the nation. All GSST students are required to maintain a 3.0 (B) average on a 4.0 scale. Our Personal Mentors work diligently with each of their students to ensure this is accomplished. Please refer to the second on "Academic Discipline" elsewhere in the  General Catalog.

In addition to these high academic standards, GSST also requires appropriately high spiritual standards for our students. Each student must provide evidence of having received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Personal Savior, are expected to be affiliated with a local assembly of believers, and be willingly compliant with the policies of the school in all matters. The school reserves the right to dismiss any student who does not conduct himself/herself in a consistent manner appropriate for one who bears the image of the Lord.

  Privacy Policy

GSST recognizes the importance of protecting your privacy. The information we collect from you through this website will vary depending upon how you use the website and what information you choose to provide us. If you contact us via email, or submit an online request for information, we will collect the information that you provide, including your name, contact information, email address, and any questions or comments you may have. If you submit an online application or request for information, GSST will use this information to process your request and respond to your needs. We will further use the information to provide you with responses or questions about grades, papers, etc. GSST DOES NOT provide any information to third parties or organizations, except by permission of the student. GSST uses security measures to protect all personal information we gather. However, we cannot guarantee that all submissions to our website, any content residing on our servers, or any transmissions from our server will be completely secure. Students are responsible for keeping their assigned passwords secret and confidential, and for notifying us if you believe that your password or information has been stolen or otherwise misused.