Baylor University’s Truett Seminary to Launch Houston Extension Campus in August

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WACO, Texas (April 10, 2018) — Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary will launch an extension campus in August, seeking to reach students who cannot pursue in-residence education while addressing the evolving landscape of higher theological education.

Truett’s Houston campus will initially offer both the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM) degree and the Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree. Classes will be held at Tallowood Baptist Church during evenings and weekends to accommodate students who also are full-time working professionals.

“With Houston’s size, diversity, large Baylor alumni presence and dozens of partner congregations, taking Baylor’s Truett Seminary to Houston is the next logical step in our institution’s history,” said John K. Burk, Ph.D., assistant dean for strategic initiatives at Truett.

“We are creating opportunities for theologically-interested students, or for students in Houston to earn degrees that will enable them to work in churches or in ministries that work alongside the church, all with minimal disruption to their schedules,” Burk said. “We are excited to welcome our new students who may be sensing God’s call to the ministry or who are eager to learn more about their faith from a world-class institution.”

The City of Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States and home to speakers of approximately 145 languages with more than 200 dialects. Many current and prospective seminary students are expressing an interest in working in roles beyond traditional congregational work.

The cultural and economic diversity of Houston will allow for unique field education opportunities for Truett students tailored to the needs of the city. These may include ministry among refugee and immigrant populations, community health, justice and human trafficking, ministry among incarcerated populations and theology and the arts.

Houston courses will be taught by Truett faculty from the seminary’s main campus in Waco in addition to well-qualified adjuncts from the Houston metropolitan area.

“For some 25 years now, Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary has been preparing men and women for gospel ministry in and alongside Christ’s Church. That we can now do so in Houston as well as in Waco excites us greatly,” said Todd D. Still, Ph.D., professor of Christian Scriptures, holder of The William M. Hinson Chair of Christian Scriptures and holder of The Charles J. and Eleanor McLerran Delancey Chair of the Dean at Truett.

“We look very much forward to partnering with congregations and other organizations in and around Houston to offer an excellent theological education that will equip God-called people to serve the Lord and others with skill, joy and purpose,” Still said. “For us, August 2018 cannot come quickly enough.”

Truett Seminary will host a preview event of the Houston campus at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 17, at Tallowood Baptist Church, 555 Tallowood Road. More information can be found at Truett's Houston campus.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 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 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.

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 Languages, Family Ministries, Ministry Leadership, World Christianity, Worship Leadership, Spiritual Formation, Sports Ministry and Theology. Truett Seminary also offers five Joint Degree programs – an M.Div./MSW and MTS/MSW through a partnership with Baylor’s School of Social Work, an M.Div./Master of Music through a partnership with the Baylor’s School of Music, an M.Div./MBA through a partnership with Baylor's Hankamer School of Business, an M.Div./J.D. degree through a partnership with Baylor’s School of Law and an M.Div./M.Ed. and M.Div./MA through a partnership with Baylor’s School of Education. Visit Truett Seminary to learn more.