Accreditations and Approvals
Central Seminary is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission and the Association of Theological Schools.
Statement on Educational Effectiveness
Higher Learning Commission
30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602
1‐800‐217‐7440
www.ncahlc.org
Click here to view the CBTS listing on the Higher Learning Commission website.
The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
10 Summit Park Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15275‐1022
412‐788‐6505
www.ats.edu
Central Baptist Theological Seminary
Accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, and the following degree programs are approved:
DMin, MA (Theological Studies), MA in Counseling, MA in Missional Church Studies, MDiv, Master of Christian Care and Counseling
Approved Additional Locations: Anaheim, CA, Ann Arbor, MI, Austin, TX, Carrollton, TX, Des Moines, WA, Elm Grove, WI, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, Houston, TX, Lawrenceville, GA, Nashville, TN, Park Ridge, IL, Yangon, Myanmar
Approved for Comprehensive Distance Education: yes
Year of Initial Accreditation: 1962
Year-term of Last Comprehensive Evaluation Visit: 2020-fall
Year-term of Next Comprehensive Evaluation Visit: 2030-fall
Accreditation Notes: In February 2016, the Board of Commissioners approved a residency exception, thereby allowing the MDiv to be offered completely online.
The Commission’s contact information is:
The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
10 Summit Park Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15275
USA
Telephone: 412-788-6505
Fax: 412-788-6510
Website: www.ats.edu
Click here to view the CBTS listing on the ATS website.
National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)
Central Baptist Theological Seminary has received approval from the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). Participation in SARA allows Central Baptist Theological to offer distance learning to students in all states that participate in the agreement.
Click here to see the listing for CBTS on the NC-SARA website.
Unresolved student concerns regarding SARA-authorized programs should be directed to the KS Board of Regents. Click here to access the state complaint form.
State Approvals or Exemptions
California
Location:
1815 E. Center Street, Anaheim, CA 92805
Notice of Approval to Operate an Accredited Institution (pdf)
Annual Reports
2018 Annual Report (pdf)
2019 Annual Report (pdf)
Performance Fact Sheets
2019 School Performance Fact Sheets (pdf)
2020 School Performance Fact Sheets (pdf)
MDiv Enrollment Agreement (pdf)
Diploma Enrollment Agreement (pdf)
Georgia
Location:
1000 University Center Lane, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Illinois
Location:
1266 N Northwest Hwy, Park Ridge, IL 60068
Notice of Approval (pdf)
Kansas
Location:
6601 Monticello Road, Shawnee, KS 66226
Michigan
Location:
4001 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Notice of Approval (pdf)
Missouri
Location:
620 N Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63103
Notice of Exemption (pdf)
Tennessee
Location:
1008 19th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212
2021 Notice of Approval (pdf)
Texas
Locations:
Dallas: 1017 Erie Street, Carrollton, TX 75006
Austin: 12311 Natures Bend, Austin, TX 78753
Houston: 14311 Park Row, Houston, TX 77084
Notice of Exemption (pdf)
Washington
Location:
2400 S. 240 Street, Des Moines, WA 98198
2022-2023 Notice of Authorization (pdf)
The Washington Student Achievement Council has determined that Central Baptist Theological Seminary qualifies for religious exempt status from the Degree-Granting Institutions Act for the following program: Master of Divinity (M.Div.). The Council makes no evaluation of the administration, faculty, business practices, financial condition or quality of the offerings by this institution. Any person desiring information about the requirements of the act or the applicability of those requirements to the institution may contact the Council at P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430 or by email at degreeauthorization@wsac.wa.gov.
Wisconsin
Location:
15330 Watertown Plank Road, Elm Grove, WI 53122
The State of Wisconsin Educational Approval Program does not regulate schools of a parochial or denominational character offering programs having a sectarian objective.
Veterans Benefits
NEW REQUIREMENT: Post-9/11 GI Bill® students who attend courses through the Shawnee, KS campus or the Nashville, TN center are required to verify their enrollment. Click here to learn more.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“
[What we learn] at Central is very relevant to ministry work I do today. I didn’t have to wait to graduate until I implement what I was learning.
Lane Riley
Current Student, MDiv
“
Students are encouraged to have our own opinion. We are allowed to have our own understanding. And we are trained to find sources to support that opinion.
Shiwon Park
2015, MDiv - Korean program
“
From day one I meshed with people in my class. We developed a relationship and trust. And with my instructors…were authentic and vulnerable, and they were so welcoming.
Staci Cooper
Current Student, MDiv
“
While it’s important for me to understand [theology] academically, Central did a great job of helping me to then translate my academic understanding to pastoral communication for the congregation.
Jonathan Clark
2011, MDiv
“
I believe that the work Central does to keep down costs is a huge part of their faithful service to the Church. Most of us will not get rich as pastors. When we graduate from seminary without huge debt, we can more easily focus on the ministries to which we are called.
Joanna Harader
Aluma, MDiv
