Why Southwestern?
Wherever God calls, we'll help you get there.
Southwestern is...
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a Southern Baptist seminary committed to providing biblically faithful Christian theological education and ministry training to God-called men and women. With a recently revised and updated core curriculum, Southwestern is prepared to offer ministry degrees in a flexible format of in-person, online, and hybrid class instruction. Our experienced faculty can offer both academic excellence and personal experience as they train students to prepare to serve as pastors, lay leaders, preachers, missionaries, non-profit leaders, worship ministers, Bible teachers, and more.
Find the degree that fits your calling.
...Grace Filled,
"The classroom ends up being a place where the Spirit of God is doing His work. And that work is the work of mutual edification of the body of Christ, as believers bless each other with the gifts that they themselves have received from the Spirit."
- D. Jeffrey Bingham, Research Professor of Historical Theology
...Christ Centered,
Jesus Christ is at the center of who we are, what we believe, what we confess, what we teach, and what we seek to practice. The totality of our Christian worldview determines our commitments and orients our perspective. As ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, we are called to be salt and light in a fallen world.
...Confessionally Guided,
The Baptist Faith and Message outlines our core doctrines as an institution. Additionally, Southwestern Seminary affirms:
...Scripturally Grounded,
"Southwestern was a place for me where I really got to learn the Bible, where I got to think deeply about Scripture, and who God is, and how to apply that to local church ministry, to preaching, to pastoring, to discipling."
- Conrad Mills (Master of Divinity, 2025)
...Student Focused,
Affordable Tuition
Our dedicated Office of Student Financial Services assists students by providing scholarships, financial aid, and financial counseling. Our scholarships are awarded on an academic year basis and are made possible by the generous gifts of our donors. Over 98% of qualified applicants receive financial aid.
Flexible Studies
Southwestern students can choose from in-person, online, and hybrid models of learning:
- On-campus learning on the Seminary Hill campus in Fort Worth
- Spring and Fall semesters
- Summer and Winter intensives
- Online learning
- 8-week online courses
Responsive Curriculum
Our Master of Divinity (MDiv) has recently been updated to provide students a faster track through seminary and a more practical focus in their studies. This new MDiv includes studies in Christian worldview and cultural engagement, as well as pastoral ministry, church leadership, and administration. Complete your MDiv in 82 credit hours.
...Globally Engaged.
With a diverse student body, a rich history of missions training, and extensive opportunities for missions experience, Southwestern is a globally engaged community with a passion to see every tribe, tongue, and nation know the saving work of Christ.
Southwesterners
Meet just a few of our Southwestern Seminary alumni serving in various ministry contexts around the world.
Clay Smith
Pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia
Dr. Smith accepted the pastorship of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in the fall of 2019, subsequently spent the first few years of his new pastorship leading his congregation through the turbulent times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The church has emerged from the pandemic unified and strong, moving forward with new discipleship initiatives and a reconfirmed commitment to missions.
Joey Tombrella
Pastor of First Baptist Church of Kerrville, Texas
When the city of Kerrville was battered by flooding in the summer of 2025, FBC Kerrville quickly moved to respond. Led by their pastor, FBCK opened its doors to function as an independent shelter for the displaced, as well as a base for both the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention Disaster Relief and Federal Emergency Management Agency teams. As recovery progressed, Tombrella continued to lead the congregation to serve their community.
Dallas & Martha Harvey
Worship in the Home (WITH)
During their time in children's ministry, Dallas and Martha Harvey were alarmed to discover how few parents felt personally equipped to disciple their children. So in response to this need, they developed WITH kits! These discipleship boxes provide everything parents need to lead there children in Bible study, Scripture memory, prayer, and more.
Elisabeth Coleman*
International Mission Board (IMB)
London is not where IMB missionary Elisabeth Coleman expected to find herself, but it's proven a vibrant city with numerous opportunities for ministry. People travel from all over the world to live here, even from countries where evangelism is illegal and Bibles are unavailable. Coleman and her team are able to bring the gospel to those who would otherwise have never heard it.
*Name changed for security reasons and to protect future mission work.
Got Questions?
We’re here to answer them. Reach out to our Admissions Team and we’ll be in touch by phone, text, or email.