North Central University (NCU) is a private Christian university associated with the Assemblies of God and located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is owned and operated by 11 Assemblies of God districts of the upper Midwest. NCU was founded in 1930 and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It is one of 17 Assemblies of God institutions of higher education in the United States. Academics Academic and spiritual requirements All of North Central University's bachelor's programs contain a General Education Core, a Christian Studies Core, and a Major Core, most of which can be earned by completing 124 credits. The Christian Studies Core is a required portion of all bachelor's degrees. Students are also required to attend a daily chapel service and can voluntarily attend other methods of spiritual formation, both faculty- and student-led. Student lifestyle Students must agree to a student code of conduct common to many Christian universities. They are prohibited from activities such as alcohol consumption and tobacco use and must adhere to curfew restrictions and other policies designed to help them develop character and maintain a Christian lifestyle. As the school has grown the rules have fluctuated. Debate as to the viability of certain rules continues among both students and employees. The university has a partial exception to Title IX which allows it to legally discriminate against LGBT students for religious reasons. Homosexual relationships are forbidden by policy. Several students have been forced to leave the school because they were vocal about LGBT identity or for having gay relationships, even nonsexual. Ministry focus While transitioning into a Christian liberal arts university, NCU has retained its ministry focus and Bible college roots. Each major has a Christian Studies core as part of the curriculum. Each major is focused on providing professional competency while equipping students to live out their Christian faith in both secular and church roles. It blends academic rigor with Pentecostal spirituality. Daily chapel services are a key component of campus life. Many students are involved in local churches or provide ministry leadership for campus groups and organizations. Deaf Studies Established in 1974 by Rev. J. David Fleck, the Deaf Studies program offered degrees to deaf students preparing for vocational ministry positions. The program was one of first in the country. A unique aspect of the program was that it allowed students to practice their ASL skills in daily chapel services or local churches. The