The specific objectives of UCC are to accomplish the following for its students:

(1) Offer postsecondary educational and vocational training programs leading to undergraduate and graduate degrees in Theology, Ministry and Music;

(2) Achieve measurable learning outcomes and acquire competent knowledge as preparation for all aspects of the Christian ministry, especially those that are essential to becoming competent ordained pastors, evangelists, missionary workers, educators, and lay leaders for the rapidly expanding Vietnamese Christian community and churches in the United States and abroad.

(3) Develop professional skills as achievable ministerial goals essential for the establishment and building of Vietnamese churches and the performing of key ministerial duties and responsibilities through comprehensive and rigorous academic studies, experiential learning and internship training.

(4) Expand understanding and knowledge of the practical, biblical, historical and theological dimensions of the Bible.

(5) Broaden knowledge and understanding of the uniqueness of the Vietnamese heritage, which is critical for effective evangelical activities among the Vietnamese population in the United States.

(6) Obtain competent knowledge in the fields of social and natural sciences, humanities, and communication skills that are important for playing leadership roles in a church.

(7) Stimulate and develop students' intellectual, critical and analytical abilities for fostering their commitment to life-long learning.

(8) Foster self-discipline and discernment based on Christian teachings.

(9) Prepare graduates for Christian leadership and service within their chosen careers and community.

(10) Disseminate an understanding of the Vietnamese culture to improve cross-cultural understanding among all people residing in the community it serves.

The Union College of California is committed to accomplishing its stated mission, purpose and objectives through (a) pertinent and well-structured curricula, (b) highly-qualified and dedicated faculty, administrators and staff, (c) adequate facility, equipment and learning resources, and (d) fiscal stability.

Statement of Faith

Union College of California holds the following as its common beliefs:

(1) We believe the Holy Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the Divine and final authority for Christian faith and life.

(2) We believe in the one, true and living God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

(3) We believe in God the Son, Jesus Christ, true God and true man, conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He died on the cross and shed His blood as an atonement for the sins of men, and was raised bodily from the dead. He ascended to heaven. He will return imminently and personally according to His promise.

(4) We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Godhead, Who is of one substance, equal in power, and co-existent with the Father and the Son. His ministry is to convict men and women, regenerate the believing sinners, and to empower believers for godly living and service.

(5) We believe that humans were created in the image and the likeness of God, but in Adam all human beings have fallen into sin, and as sinners human beings are in need of God's salvation.

(6) We believe that penitent sinners are regenerated solely by God's grace and justified through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

(7) We believe that there shall be a bodily resurrection of the just to eternal life, and of the unjust to eternal punishment.

(8) We believe that the Church is one body, consisting of those regenerated by the Spirit of God and of which Christ is the Head, expressing itself in worship, fellowship, evangelism and service.

Founding Philosophy

The founding philosophy of UCC is to respond to the educational needs of persons with limited English proficiency as well as the non-English speaking segment of the Vietnamese-American community, who are mostly adult refugee-turned-citizens and residents of the United States. They seeking their second or third careers as ordained pastors, evangelists, missionary workers and lay leaders for the rapidly expanding Vietnamese ethnic churches in the United States. Because of the language barrier as well as the high cost of education, they were unable to pursue their academic goals at a mainstream theological seminary. UCC was established to resolve these two problems by offering theological programs in Vietnamese at a cost they can afford.

There are some 200 Vietnamese ethnic churches in the United States and that number is growing. This is due to the fact that many refugee-turned-citizens and residents of Vietnamese descent are embracing Christianity with Protestant doctrines. This has resulted in a severe shortage of ordained Vietnamese pastors and lay leaders to serve the rapidly increasing number of Vietnamese churches.

The rapid expansion of Protestant followers among Vietnamese-Americans also resulted in diverse denominations. UCC is a non-denominational Christian institution and is founded on the philosophy of serving the many denominations that have established a foothold in the Vietnamese community, including in Vietnam.