The Southern Baptist Convention founded the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary at its 1917 convention. The seminary's campus in New Orleans' Gentilly district contains 100-plus buildings. As of 2010, more than 20,000 people have studied for the Baptist ministry at the school. Extension centers are located across the Southeast, making it possible for more students to become ordained ministers. Night, weekend and online classes are available. The Leavell School for undergraduates offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in Christian ministry and music. To earn a degree in Christian ministry, a student must complete 126 credits in life skills, worship leadership, Christian heritage and biblical exposition as well as minor subjects of the individual's choosing. Students wishing to specialize in church music, preschool ministry or women's ministry can obtain an associate degree in any of these fields. The graduate program allows students to earn Master of Divinity degrees with specializations in leadership, philosophy and ethics, or Christian thought, among other subjects.
Formed in 1905 as the Baylor Theological Seminary, the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary split from Baylor in 1907 and started using its new name. As of 2010, Southwestern consists of six separate schools, five located in Fort Worth, Texas, and one in Houston. They are the School of Theology, the Fish School of Evangelism & Missions, Terry School of Church and Family Ministries, the School of Church Music, the College at Southwestern (which offers degrees in Humanities and Music) and Houston's J. Dalton Havard School for Theological Studies. Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the schools at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary have three main libraries, with several smaller collections located throughout Texas and Arkansas. Bachelor's, master's, research and professional degrees are available.
The Baptist House of Studies at Duke Divinity School guides students from 100 denominations through theological lessons that result in a certificate of Baptist Studies. Students enrolled in the Duke Master of Divinity program should inform the Baptist House director of studies and the Office of Academic Programs of their desire to focus on Baptist studies. They'll be assigned a Baptist adviser, and be required to finish courses in "The Free Church" and "Free Church Theology." A third module may be on a topic chosen by the student and approved by the program director or on a subject concerning the Free Church. The certificate candidate can participate in a discussion group about Baptist identity during their second or third year at Divinity School. Seven different scholarships are available for students wishing to obtain a Baptist Studies certificate. Graduates with a Baptist certificate are eligible for ministry placement and other employment assistance.