Bearing the original name Baptist Bible Institute, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) was founded in 1917 by the Southern Baptist Convention. It was modeled after the Moody Bible Institute offering undergraduate education. Today, it is a fully accredited institution which awards associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctorate degrees.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is located at 3939 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana. It occupies a beautiful 70-acre tree-lined campus in suburban New Orleans. It has established several extension center campuses across the southeast to provide affordable and accessible theological education to as many ministers as possible. Graduate extension centers are found in Pineville, Louisiana; Shreveport, Louisiana; Canton, Mississippi; Birmingham, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia; Albany, Georgia; Graceville, Florida; Jacksonville, Florida; Orlando, Florida; Pensacola, Florida; and Miami, Florida. Undergraduate extension centers are likewise located in Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama and Georgia in at least a total of nine locations.
The New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary curriculum is guided by seven basic competencies including Biblical Exposition, Christian Theological Heritage, Disciple Making, Interpersonal Skills, Servant Leadership, Spiritual and Character Formation and Workshop Leadership Programs. The programs are offered in three delivery options: on-campus classes, online classes and hybrid courses which combine on-campus and online class formats. More than 20,000 individuals have prepared for ministry through NOBTS. At present, there are about 1,900 full-time students enrolled in the main campus and about 1,100 more in the various extension centers. The faculty is comprised of 70 full-time members and over 100 adjunct members.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has long deviated from the traditional approach of theological education. It should be noted that more than half of the ministers of the Southern Baptist Churches are not seminary-trained since it is not a prerequisite to ordination to the denomination. The undergraduate program of NOBTS is provided by its Leavell College. Online programs cost $ 175.00 per credit hour.
For more information on admissions, college majors, degrees offered, online programs, athletics, school rankings, tuition, scholarships and financial aid options, please contact New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.