American Baptist College began in 1924 as a seminary to train black Baptist ministers. The college has a rich heritage in the civil rights movement, having educated many of its leaders. The mission of American Baptist College is to equip students for Christian service and leadership. The college offers a Bachelor of Theology degree and a Master of Arts degree in pastoral studies. The Pathfinders certificate program is for students who are not pursuing a religious career, but are seeking to find God's purpose for their lives.
Free Will Baptist Bible College began in 1942 as a two-year school and is now a four-year college with a mission to prepare students for what God is calling them to do. The college offers bachelor's degrees with majors in Biblical and Ministry studies, Church Music Ministries, Church Music and Youth Ministry, and Minister of Christian Education. The college also offers an associate degree in Christian Ministries and an Evangelical Training Association diploma.
Lipscomb University was founded in 1891. The Hazelip School of Theology at Lipscomb University offers graduate theological degrees: Doctor of Ministry in Missional and Spiritual Formation, Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies and Master of Arts in Christianity. The Master of Divinity is required for ordination in many religious groups and is usually a prerequisite for the Doctor of Ministry degree. The Master of Theological Studies can be a basis for graduate programs that do not require the Master of Divinity.
Trevecca Nazarene University, a Christ-centered liberal arts university, was founded in 1901 as the Literary and Bible Training School for Christian Workers. In 1911, it was renamed Trevecca College, the same name as a school started in Wales during the Wesleyan revival. Today, Trevecca Nazarene University offers associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. The School of Religion offers a major in Religion, a professional degree that meets the education requirements for ordination in the Church of the Nazarene.
The Divinity School began as the Biblical Department of Vanderbilt University in 1875. Once an institution of the Methodist Church, today it is the only university-based interdenominational institution in the South, and it has a liberal Protestant orientation. The Divinity School offers a Master of Divinity degree, a Master of Theological Studies degree, a Master of Arts degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree.