
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary was founded in 1908 in Waco, Texas, to prepare students for Christian ministry. It moved to Fort Worth in 1910 and remains associated with the Southern Baptist Convention. The institution has since expanded beyond ministerial training to offer undergraduate education through Texas Baptist College, alongside graduate theological programs.
That history matters when comparing Southwestern with other colleges: its undergraduate programs operate within a seminary whose academic calendar, community activities, and institutional priorities center on Christian ministry and service.
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary organizes its studies around theology and ministry, while Texas Baptist College serves undergraduate students. Graduate study includes areas such as biblical and theological studies, pastoral ministry, missions, evangelism, Christian education, and church music and worship.
The academic offerings include bachelor's degrees through Texas Baptist College and master's and doctoral degrees through the seminary. Applicants should check the current catalog for the school responsible for a particular degree, its course-delivery format, and any ministry or fieldwork requirements. An undergraduate program and a graduate ministry program may have substantially different admission and graduation rules.
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is in Fort Worth, Texas, at 2001 W. Seminary Drive. Its campus is south of downtown in a large metropolitan area, giving students access to churches, community organizations, and other potential ministry settings across the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
For commuters, travel time will depend on where they live and whether they have a car. Applicants considering campus housing should compare its availability with off-campus rent and transportation costs rather than assuming that a Fort Worth address means every placement or activity is nearby.
Southwestern states that its purpose is to prepare people for Christian ministry. Its Southern Baptist affiliation and theological commitments shape its curriculum, campus worship, and expectations for participation in institutional life.
Prospective students should read the institution's current mission and doctrinal statements before applying, particularly if they are considering a ministry degree. Those statements describe the education Southwestern intends to provide; they should not be read as evidence of a particular employment or spiritual outcome for every student.
Name of the institution
The Southwestern 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
Four-year collegeMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1908
Certificate of less than 1 year
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
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.