Western Seminary

Western Seminary Quick Facts

Denominational Affiliation
Non-Denominational

Founded
1927

Theological Orientation
Evangelical

Degrees Offered
Master of Divinity (M.Div.); M.A. in Counseling; M.A. in Martial and Family Therapy; M.A. (Biblical and Theological Studies); M.A. in Ministry and Leadership; M.A. in Global Leadership; Master of Theology (Th.M.); Graduate Studies Diploma; Graduate Studies Certificate; Addiction Studies Certificate; Doctor of Intercultural Studies; Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)

Number of Students
c. 980

Tuition Costs for 2018 - 2019
$585/hr (master's level); $615-655/hr (doctoral level)

Location
Portland, OR

School URL
westernseminary.edu

Introduction to Western Seminary

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Like many seminaries or Christian colleges, Western has a history rooted in focused biblical education. Founded in 1925 as the Portland Baptist Bible Institute, in two short years the school would be recast as Western Baptist Theological Seminary. The current campus dates back to 1944 when the Board of Trustees procured five acres of land that are still in use. Western has a long history of expansion to satellite campuses with current extension sites in San Jose, CA; Seattle, WA; and Sacramento, CA. Western also offers an online campus that grew out of its onetime video-based correspondence program. Currently, Western has close to 1,000 students between its various campuses, including the online program.

What is the gospel? from Western Seminary on Vimeo.

Academic Life

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Western offers numerous graduate-level degrees and certificates at its main campus as well as online and through its various extension sites. In addition to the standard M.Div. degree, Western offers M.A. degrees with concentrations in Counseling; Marital and Family Therapy; Biblical and Theological Studies; Ministry and Leadership; and Global Leadership. Post-graduate degrees include the Th.M., D. Inst. St. (Doctor of Intercultural Studies), and D.Min. There are diploma and certificate programs available as well. All programs are taught through Western's conviction in scripture as the inerrant word of God as the foundation of study.

Student Life

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Students at the main campus have the rich resources of Portland to draw upon. There are numerous cultural outings available in entertainment and the performing arts, from the Oregon Ballet Theatre and Oregon Symphony to many popular and indie performance venues. Students may partake of the Portland Art Museum, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, and Powell's City of Books (the largest used and new bookstore in the world).

In addition to the resources provided by the area itself, the seminary offers a number of on-campus educational and counseling resources for students, including A New Day Counseling Center (with affordable rates for students), the Center for Leadership Development, a Coach Training Program, the ReGeneration Project, the Women's Center for Ministry, and Verity Fellowship.

Housing

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Unfortunately, Western does not offer on-campus housing at either its main campus or any of the extension sites; however, the school does offer numerous resources for students who are seeking housing as well as jobs and churches in the areas surrounding its campuses. There is a Facebook group dedicated to helping students network for housing and other shared interests. Click here for details. There are also dedicated staff at the seminary willing to help answer questions about housing, jobs, and other relocation matters.

Financial aid

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In addition to Federal Direct Loans (which 19% of the student body receives), there are generous grants available based primarily on financial need (The Western Seminary Grant and the President's Pathway Scholarship). The seminary also partners with several churches and parachurch organizations, offering matching scholarship funds for partial tuition. There are also limited scholarships available for Th.M. and D.Min. students.

Location (Main Campus)

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