Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Approximately 2/3 of Southeastern's student body do not receive any form of student aid. Many students are forced to take fewer classes each semester which prolongs the length of their education and delays their graduation. This scholastic shortage disproportionately impacts specific populations such as ethnic minorities and female students.

Over the past three years, our ethnic diversity has increased by 32 percent comprising 18 percent of the total student population. Our goal is to raise funds for additional scholarships to ensure our student body is diverse and theological education is affordable to more students from varying ethnic backgrounds. In addition, while women comprise 20% of our total student body, only three student aid funds are devoted to their training.

The College at Southeastern was established in 1984. It is a school custom built for serious Christians, a theologically-driven, fully-accredited, liberal arts college. All of our courses are designed to prepare Christians to read critically, to research carefully, to write persuasively and to speak confidently. Every student pursuing a four-year degree is enrolled in our Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies program, which includes a rigorous core curriculum highlighted by our History of Ideas component.

While we strive to provide an unparalleled learning experience at an affordable cost, many hardworking students struggle to make ends meet. You have probably heard the statistics: Americans owe nearly $1.3 trillion in student debt, up six percent from last year. We do not want to fall prey to the trending example of a debt-for-diploma system. However, the majority of our students already work 30-hour weeks to fund their education and basic living expenses. We depend on friends like you to help ensure our students graduate without the encumbrance of debt.

"The History of Ideas program is just unbelievable. To come into a college and be able to read the books which have shaped our world…what a wonderful foundation. God impressed on me that with a ministry to college students, you can literally touch every part of the world and every occupation. There are students here that are probably going into the business world, filmmaking, the pastorate, law, the medical field or the home as a mom. This is exactly where I want to be teaching and relating to students." - Dr. Tracy McKenzie, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies

Students are flocking here in ever-increasing numbers to study with a team of professors who pour the ground-breaking truth of the gospel into their very lives. In order to maintain the highest standard of theological preparation, we must recruit and retain world-class scholars to train the next generation of church leaders.

We hope all our graduates walk away with a disposition that points them and compels them toward serving Christ. We want their minds to be sharp, we want them to be competent in their field, and we want them to be theologically grounded. Most importantly, we want them to use their occupation and their life for the Kingdom of God in whatever field they pursue.

Faculty and instructional costs comprise 42 percent of Southeastern's total budget. Endowment gifts for faculty salaries benefits countless students for generations to come.

"Now that I have been teaching for 20 years, I find special joy in looking back at the first students that I taught and seeing how God continues to use them. Some are training the next generation of Christian leaders in the classroom. Others are serving as model pastors that faithfully expound the Word of God. Many serve smaller congregations, and I am as proud of them as any others because they have served with faithfulness and integrity, have persevered through the tough times and have been devoted shepherds to their flocks. More recent students are continuing their education in institutions from Southeastern to Harvard. I am excited about the potential for Kingdom impact that all of the students have." - Dr. Charles Quarles, Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology, Director of Ph.D. Studies.

Equipping students to serve the church to carry out the Great Commssion.