Founded in 1907, Northern Caribbean University (formerly West Indies College) is the oldest private tertiary institution in Jamaica. Formerly known as West Indian Training College, it began by offering courses up to the twelfth grade. As its offerings developed to include theology, teaching, secretarial science, business, and natural sciences, it became a junior college. It achieved senior college status in the late 1950's when it began to offer the Bachelor's Degree in Theology. Since then, baccalaureate programmes in some twenty other disciplines have been added.

Northern Caribbean Universityis a member of the Joint Committee for Tertiary Education (JCTE), and the Association of Caribbean Tertiary Institutions (ACTI). The president of the university is a member of the Board of the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ), and has served as chairman of the Joint Committee for Tertiary Education (JCTE).

Mission Statement

Northern Caribbean University, a Seventh-day Adventist institution, has as its mission quality Christ-centered education, achieved through academic excellence, social interaction, spiritual development and a strong work ethic, thereby fitting each student for committed professional service to country and to God.

Philosophy

The University adopts the philosophy that "True education means more than the pursual of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come." (Ellen G. White, Education, p.13)