Bob Jones University Seminary FAQs
When did Bob Jones University start a seminary?
The University has offered graduate degrees in ministry training for over 65 years. The Seminary was opened as the seventh academic division of the University with its own faculty, administration, and facilities in March of 2000.
Where is the Seminary located?
Opened in March of 2000, the Seminary is located on the 220-acre campus of Bob Jones University adjacent to the University's main library. The Seminary includes a rotunda which presents the history of the spread of the Gospel in America, a satellite broadcast facility, and classrooms which each contain the latest in educational technology.
How many students attend the Seminary?
Over 425 students enroll in courses in the Seminary each year.
How many degree programs are offered through the Seminary?
The Seminary offers 23 programs of study–2 graduate certificate programs and 21 master's, specialist, and doctoral programs.
What is the size of the faculty?
Approximately 20 resident faculty and 5 adjunct faculty each year for a total of 25.
What is the educational background of your faculty?
All of our full-time faculty have earned doctoral degrees. Most of our adjunct faculty have earned doctorates and all are recognized specialists in their teaching fields.
Does the Seminary faculty engage in a writing ministry?
Our faculty has published over 200 works including full-length scholarly books, church ministry instructional guides, Christian school Bible textbooks, Sunday school quarterlies, journal articles, and magazine articles for Christian publications. As part of its writing ministry, the Seminary faculty has published a 135-page journal of Biblical exposition for pastors twice a year (November and April) without interruption for over 30 years. It is called Biblical Viewpoint.
Have your faculty members served in ministry positions other than Seminary teaching?
Our faculty have served as missionaries, evangelists, youth pastors, church planters, associate pastors, and senior pastors of independent Fundamental churches. Their cumulative years of ministry experience total over 450, with an average of 20 years per faculty member.
What are the doctoral programs offered through the Seminary?
The Seminary offers four Ph.D. programs–New Testament Interpretation, Old Testament, Theology, and Church History. The Doctor of Ministry degree and Doctor of Pastoral Theology degree may be earned through the Seminary as well.
Does the Seminary offer any classes by correspondence?
Yes. Many seminary courses are available by video and written correspondence through BJU's Office of Extended Education.
Is it possible to earn a degree by correspondence from Bob Jones University Seminary?
All of our degree programs allow for a generous percentage of the courses to be done through our various distance education options, including correspondence. Residence work is required for the completion of all of our degree programs.
Do you offer any Seminary classes over the Internet?
We broadcast live, interactive, and videotaped classes by satellite directly to your home, supported by the Internet. This is provided through a low-cost subscription plan from our Center for Educational Technology.
Do you offer classes at the Seminary on campus other than in a traditional semester format?
We offer evening courses, two-week modular courses, and four-week modular courses. We also offer our entire M.A. in Pastoral Studies on Mondays only, which may be completed in six consecutive semesters. This degree may also be completed in three consecutive summers in June and July.
What makes Bob Jones University Seminary different from other seminaries?
As a Fundamentalist Christian seminary, we give special emphasis to achieving a balance between academic work at the highest levels and the cultivating of a love for God and people. The development of ministry skills is another important focus of the programs in our Seminary. We are committed to helping men know how to explain and apply the Word of God to the lives of believers and unbelievers alike.
Special emphasis is given to the philosophy expressed by the simple phrase, "Whatever the text of Scripture says, we believe and obey." First, a man must have the skill to know what the text says, then he can obey it. The Seminary does not teach a particular system for the interpretation of the Scriptures beyond the classic literal-grammatical-historical approach to interpreting the Word of God.
Finally, teaching men the balance between a ministry of edification for believers and evangelistic outreach for the lost world is crucial. Both ideas are constant emphases at the Seminary.