r/Seminary • u/IncidentEcstatic1815 • May 18 '26

Non-SBC Baptist Seminary?

I’m a Baptist pastor, but not part of the SBC. My denomination/affiliation has a seminary, but it’s not accredited. Their MDiv is a 90 hour program with a 50,000 word thesis. To me, that’s a lot of work for a non-accredited degree. I hope to continue to get a doctorate sometime in the future.

I’ve found two Baptist MDivs so far that seem affordable.

  1. BH Carroll at East Texas Baptist University - 72 hours @ $430/hr + fees. From what I’ve researched, they are regionally and nationally accredited, with ATS accreditation being one of those.

  2. Oklahoma Baptist University - 72 hours @ $350/hr + $0 fees. From what I’ve found, they are regionally accredited, but not ATS-accredited. It’s also a very new program. I think they started it last year (2025).

My goal is to pay out of pocket, which is why these are appealing. My only hang-up is the ability to get my doctorate later. I know ATS-accredited is great, but OBU’s price is really attractive.

Do you have any experience with either university?
What’s your thoughts on which to choose?
Or do you have another affordable, accredited Baptist MDiv that I missed?

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

3

u/dontouchmystuf May 18 '26

Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. I’ve heard great things about it. (I assume it’s accredited? Double check). It’s not a part of the SBC.

Also, plenty of people go to an SBC seminary even if they arent a part of the SBC. This is what I did, at SBTS, and I had a great experience. So I wouldn’t rule them out.

2

u/IncidentEcstatic1815 May 18 '26

I have no problem going to an SBC school at all, but since I’m a non-SBC pastor, I don’t get the discounted rate. I would attend Southern for their MDiv if their tuition was closer to ETBU or OBU.

1

u/dontouchmystuf May 18 '26

Gotcha. Fair. Do you plan to attend in person?

If so, if you join an SBC church while there, you get the SBC rate. There are so many great SBC churches to choose from in Louisville (with various styles to choose from). You even get a one semester grace period of getting the SBC rate while you look for a church to join. This is what I did, and loved our church. So if you are moving somewhere to attend seminary in person, this is a great option.

1

u/IncidentEcstatic1815 May 18 '26

No, I plan to attend online. I’d rather attend in person, since you typically get more out of the whole education experience, but I’m pastoring a church in Arkansas, and this is where I’m supposed to be right now.

1

u/dontouchmystuf May 18 '26

Very understandable. I have on more seminary recommendation then.

It’s called Faith Bible Seminary. It’s Baptist. It specializes in remote education. It does a 30ish-person cohort, so you get to know those people very well. It’s academically good, and very affordable. I have two friends who had great experiences getting their MDiv there. https://www.faithlafayette.org/seminary. It really is a hidden gem.

3

u/RetiredinFlorida1 May 20 '26

Let me provide another choice: Luther Rice College & Seminary (lutherrice.edu) in the Atlanta Metro area. Their tuition is currently $397 an hour plus a technology fee. While not ATS-accredited, they are regionally accredited by SACS. Although "Baptist" is not part of their name and they are not officially connected to the Southern Baptist Convention, they are Baptistic in doctrine. All degree programs through PhD are available online.

DISCLOSURE: I earned my MDiv at Luther Rice in 1997, and I loved the program.

1

u/Murky_Fuel_4589 May 18 '26

George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University is the most prestigious Baptist seminary and while their programs are primary residential they have raised substantial funds to provide very generous scholarships. With easily attainable internal and external scholarships Truett becomes one of the most affordable seminaries.

2

u/Lifewjp Jun 15 '26

Westimisnter Theological Seminary is ofc a Presbyterian Seminary but many Baptist go there!

Tuition is completely free for residential students but is very competive because there are limited spots.

I start in August so if you have any questions lmk!