Our Seminary
Degree Programs

A seminary degree is like any other form of higher education. It provides students with knowledge, context, credentials, connections, and it shows potential employers that you are committed to starting and finishing something. Some jobs will require certain degrees that only a seminary can provide while others prefer candidates to have a specific type of training.

It depends. The number of credit hours you are in enrolled in, how many hours you work an outside job and other personal and professional obligations all make a difference. But a common rule of thumb is that you’ll spend two to three hours outside the classroom on assignments and reading for every one hour of classroom time per week. So a three credit hour class will have three hours of instruction per week and students should expect an additional 6-9 hours per week of work.

Central Seminary was founded by Kansas Baptists leaders in 1901. The seminary continues to be closely affiliated with the American Baptist Churches-USA and with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. While Central is historically Baptist, our seminary is ecumenical. Students from many different faith traditions find Central a comfortable and welcoming environment in which to study.

Central was founded in 1901 in Kansas City, Kansas. Read more about Central’s history here.

Yes. Central is welcoming of people from all different faith traditions. While many of our students are Baptists, others affiliate with a variety of denominations, including African Methodist Episcopal, Disciples of Christ, Episcopal, Methodist, Non-Denominational, Presbyterian, and United Church of Christ. Still others of our students are not affiliated with a particular tradition. This diversity in theological background and affiliation is also true for our faculty and staff.

The faculty of Central seminary have vastly different and personal sets of beliefs just like the students they teach. There is not a specific theology or creed they are asked to affirm before being hired and are not required to teach by one. Most students find that faculty are supportive of a wide variety of beliefs.

According to the Higher Learning Commission, “Accreditation provides current and potential students assurance that they are receiving a quality education which will be recognized as such by potential employers or licensing boards as well as by other colleges or universities in case of student transfers or pursuit of a higher degree.” Central is proudly accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the Association of Theological Schools.

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of six regional accreditors in the United States. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the United States. HLC is as an institutional accreditor, accrediting the institution as a whole. HLC is a private not-for-profit company that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to act on its behalf as an institutional accrediting agency. You can learn more about HLC here.

The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) is the nations leading accreditor for more than 270 graduate schools of theology in the United States and Canada. According to the ATS website, “While [their member schools] differ from one another in deep and significant ways but, through their membership in ATS, they demonstrate a commitment to shared values about what constitutes good theological education.

Yes! Central is affirming of ALL people and welcomes students, staff and faculty who are part of the LBGTQIA+ community.

Central’s Board of Trustees and our leadership are committed to creating a healthy place for learning and growth. Discriminatory attitudes and behaviors, whether intentional or unintentional, are not acceptable within our community. Any employee or student who exhibits or participates in deliberate or unwitting behaviors that are offensive or discriminatory to individuals with reference to their age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race/color, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status will be subject to disciplinary action that may result in suspension or dismissal from the institution.

Read the full policies and find the misconduct report form on the Consumer Information page.

“As a student of Central Seminary actively examining God’s call, I covenant with God and this community to serve Christ in the ministries to which I am called with God’s help, to deepen my obedience to the two Great Commandments: to love the Lord our God and to love my neighbor. In affirmation of this commitment, I will abide by the Covenant and Code of Ethics of the students of Central Seminary. I will faithfully support its purposes and ideals. As further affirmation of my commitment, I covenant with my colleagues in ministry that we will hold one another accountable for fulfillment of all public actions set forth in our Code of Ethics. I will show my personal love for God as revealed in Jesus Christ in my life and ministry. I will strive with others to preserve dignity, maintain discipline, and promote the integrity of the vocation to which I have been called. I will display academic integrity. I will encourage others to study, discuss, work, and pray together. All work, both written and oral, submitted for a grade shall be my own original work. I will respect the faculty and administration. In matters of academic evaluation, I will utilize proper channels for airing grievances. I will develop and maintain a lifestyle that reflects God as the center of my life in thought, speech, and action. I will respect the diversity in Christian heritage, traditions, and beliefs held by others. I will personally and publicly support my colleagues who experience discrimination on the basis of gender, gender identity, race, age, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, physical impairment, or disability. I will exercise discretion in confidential matters.”

We have big hopes and dreams for the world. To make them a reality we need a mission, vision, and values to help us get there. Check here to read about our mission, vision, and values.

Yes, many of our programs can be completed 100% online.  Most of our online classes require participation in regular live sessions through a video conferencing program, such as Zoom.

All degrees at Central Seminary are prepared with the intent to help graduates find fulfilling careers. Potential jobs include leadership roles in faith-based organizations like hospitals, non-profits, or in congregational settings. Some graduates pursue careers in teaching, research, youth ministry, or as missionaries.

Online degrees are indistinguishable from our in-person programs, which are all fully accredited. Your degree will not indicate whether or not yours was earned either online or in-person.

Convocation is the gathering of the learning community in preparation for the upcoming term.  It celebrates the beginning of a new experience and challenges the Central community to focus on the mission of the school.  Convocations occur in August and January of each academic year.

The library provides many research databases online.  These research databases can be accessed through the student portal, myCBTS.  These databases offer tens of thousands of resources for our programs, including articles and full books.  Online accessible databases include the Digital Theological Library, ATLA Religion, and ProQuest Religion.  Click here for a full list.

The school does offer writing services.  Writing is an important skill in our programs.  No matter your level of comfort or confidence with writing you can contact our writing development personnel to assess how you can improve.  Contact Dr. Sheryl Stewart to get started.