
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary traces its origins to the Baptist Bible Institute, founded in 1917 to prepare people for Christian ministry. It later became a seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention and adopted its present name in 1946.
The institution's history helps explain its mix of graduate theological education, undergraduate study through Leavell College, and practical ministry training. Its New Orleans location has also shaped an emphasis on service and ministry in an urban setting.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is organized around theological and ministry education rather than a broad range of unrelated academic fields. Its undergraduate division, Leavell College, offers programs intended for students beginning or continuing preparation for ministry; the seminary offers graduate and doctoral study.
Areas of study include biblical and theological studies, pastoral ministry, missions, Christian education, worship and church music, and counseling-related fields. Credentials and admission standards differ by program. Applicants should consult the current academic catalog for the exact degree, delivery format, and any prerequisites or fieldwork attached to their intended program.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's main campus is in the Gentilly area of New Orleans, Louisiana. It is an urban campus, so students should account for city transportation and commuting costs alongside their academic expenses.
The institution also serves students through education centers and other course formats. Applicants should verify where their particular program's required classes meet rather than assuming every program is completed on the main campus. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport serves the region for students traveling to or from New Orleans.
The seminary describes its purpose in explicitly Christian terms: preparing people for ministry, service in churches, and participation in the mission of the church. It is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.
That religious identity is relevant to more than the institution's name. Prospective students should examine the current mission statement, doctrinal expectations, chapel practices, and requirements of their intended program to understand how faith commitments shape coursework and campus life.
Name of the institution
New Orleans Baptist Theological SeminaryLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999Religious affiliation
Protestant (Southern Baptist Convention)School type
UniversityMain student body
Primarily MenCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1917New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - otherData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.