New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
New Orleans, LA3939 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70126
504-282-4455
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) is a private, non-profit institution of higher learning located in New Orleans, Louisiana. The seminary is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award masters, doctorate, and professional degrees. The seminary is also a member of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.
NOBTS was founded in 1917 as the New Orleans Baptist Training School (NOBTS) by a group of southern Baptist churches. The school was created in response to a need for trained ministers and missionaries to serve the churches in the southern United States. The seminary's first president was E.C. Dargan, who served from 1917-1919. The school's second president was E.J. Pace, who served from 1919-1925. The school's third president was J.N. Armstrong, who served from 1925-1929. The seminary's fourth president was J.H. Lucas, who served from 1929-1935. The seminary's fifth president was L.O. Dawson, who served from 1935-1941.
The seminary experienced significant growth during the presidency of L.O. Dawson. The student body increased from an enrollment of approximately 300 students in 1935 to an enrollment of over 1,000 students by the time Dawson resigned in 1941. The faculty also grew during this time, from 12 members in 1935 to over 60 members by 1941. The seminary also added several new programs during this time, including a doctoral program in 1936 and a program for training Bible translators in 1939.
The seminary continued to grow in the years following World War II. The student body reached a peak of over 2,000 students in the late 1960s. The faculty also grew during this time, reaching a peak of over 120 members in the late 1960s. The seminary added several new programs during this time, including a doctoral program in counseling in 1968 and a doctoral program in educational leadership in 1969.
The seminary has experienced a decline in enrollment in recent years. The student body has decreased from a peak of over 2,000 students in the late 1960s to an enrollment of approximately 1,200 students in the fall of 2016. The faculty has also decreased in size, from a peak of over 120 members in the late 1960s to a current faculty of approximately 60 members. The seminary has responded to the decline in enrollment by reducing the size of its faculty and staff and by consolidating some of its programs.
NOBTS is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award masters, doctorate, and professional degrees. The seminary offers over 50 different programs of study leading to degrees at the masters, doctorate, and professional levels. The seminary's most popular programs are its Master of Divinity program and its Doctor of Ministry program.
The seminary's campus is located in the historic Garden District of New Orleans. The campus includes several buildings, including Dining Hall, Lucas Hall, Armstrong Hall, and Pace Hall. The seminary also owns and operates a retreat center located in Picayune, Mississippi.
NOBTS is governed by a Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance of the seminary. The Board of Trustees is composed of 36 members, including the president of the seminary, the chairs of the seminary's academic departments, and representatives of the seminary's alumni.
The seminary is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. The seminary is also a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.
Quick Facts
Enrollment: 2293
Type: Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
Main Website: https://www.nobts.edu/
Financial Aid: https://www.nobts.edu/financial-aid/default.html
Annual Costs
Total Cost In-State On-Campus: $20175
Total Cost Out-State On-Campus: $20175