Baylor's Truett Seminary Expands Its Reach With a New Extension Campus in Austin

August 26, 2013

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Contact: Terry Goodrich,(254) 710-3321
WACO, Texas (Aug. 26, 2013) - In its latest move to expand its reach to potential ministerial students and meet the changing needs of congregations, Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary will open an extension campus in Austin in January 2014.
Truett will host an open house and information session for prospective students, Austin-area alumni, and church and community leaders from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the extension campus in Oak Creek Plaza, 3107 Oak Creek Drive, in Austin.
"Truett's commitment to Scripture, theology and the practice of ministry is apparent throughout our curriculum," said Dennis Tucker, Ph.D., Truett's associate dean of academic affairs and associate professor of Christian Scriptures. "Our faculty members care deeply about the life of the church and the formation of its ministers. For those in ministry and for those preparing for ministry, this should be an exciting opportunity for continued growth."
The opening of the extension campus follows other recent innovations at Truett, among them the addition of a new joint master's degree program in ministry and business administration to prepare ministers who increasingly serve not only as spiritual guides, but also as business leaders to plan financial strategies and ensure financial integrity for congregations and nonprofit organizations.
Additionally, a new graduate program with an emphasis in sports chaplaincy was established in 2011 for those who seek to minister in and through sports. And for those who feel called to ministry but do not have the money or time to attend seminary, Truett offers a certificate of ministry program geared to bi-vocational pastors and pastors of small churches.
Classes at the extension campus will begin on Jan. 13, 2014, with a limited number of courses offered during the day on Mondays and on Tuesday evenings. Those teaching in the spring 2014 semester include Roger Olson, Ph.D., Truett professor of Christian theology and holder of the Foy Valentine Professorship in Christian Ethics; John Duncan, pastor of First Baptist Church of Georgetown, Texas, and adjunct professor at Truett; and Collin Bullard, adjunct professor.
Truett, which has more than 300 students enrolled, awarded its 1,000th degree in December.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.
ABOUT GEORGE W. TRUETT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary provides theological education leading to the Master of Divinity, the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, the Master of Theological Studies, or the Doctor of Ministry degrees that are centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ and consistent with historic Baptist commitments to prepare persons to carry this gospel to the churches and the world. Within the M.Div. degree program, students can choose concentrations in Biblical Studies and Theology, Christian Education, Ministry Leadership, Missions and World Christianity, Worship Leadership, Spiritual Formation, Sports Ministry, and Youth/Family/Student Ministry. Truett Seminary also offers three Dual Degree programs - a M.Div./MSW and MTS/MSW through a partnership with Baylor's School of Social Work, a M.Div./Master of Music through a partnership with the Baylor's School of Music, and a M.Div./MBA through a partnership with Baylor's Hankamer School of Business.