Admission FAQs

The College at Southeastern offers two Associates degrees: an Associate of Divinity and an Associate of Arts, and two Bachelor degrees: a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science. Within the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, we offer 16 majors and 19 minors in a wide variety of liberal arts studies.

For a complete listing of our degree offerings, see our academic catalog.

The average undergraduate degree (BA or BS) at the college will take a full-time student 4 years. This, of course, depends on the specific course requirements and the individual student’s desired course load. Students may take advantage of Hybrid classes, J-term classes, 4 summer sessions, and one week intensives taught over fall and spring break in addition to traditional fall and spring semesters. If a student takes an average load of 15 credit hours a semester, they will need to also take a total of 6 hours over the course of a summer or J-term session during the duration of his or her degree.

Southeastern’s mission is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the Church and fulfill the Great Commission. It is our view that everyone in the body of Christ, not just those called into vocational ministry, can benefit from rich theological education as they seek to serve the Lord Jesus by serving their church. The College at Southeastern equips students to serve in two distinct ways: directly and indirectly. Directly equipping students involves those students who have a call to full-time ministry (pastors, missionaries, etc.) Indirectly equipping students involves those students who desire to be lay-leaders in their local body who serve as teachers, lawyers, business professionals and much more.

Our degrees teach students not only what to think concerning biblical and theological disciplines, but they equip our students to be better critical thinkers, writers and communicators. If you would like to read more about the usefulness of liberal arts degrees, please read this article published in the Harvard Business Review.

The actual cost of the college varies based on a number of factors. Here is a link to a helpful cost estimator.

Southeastern is a private institution and receives no funding from the federal or state government. Therefore, there is no distinction between in-state and out-of–state students and tuition rates.

While students of other denominational backgrounds are strongly encouraged to attend the college, students who are not a member of a Southern Baptist church cannot receive the scholarship. This scholarship is actually the result of Southern Baptist churches pooling their resources to provide financial help to their members.

In order to receive the Southern Baptist scholarship, a student’s recommending church (the one at which he or she is a member) must be part of the Southern Baptist Convention.

To be considered full time a college student, one must take at least 12 credit hours a semester. In order to finish in the 4 years recommended, one must take 15 credit hours a semester on average and also enroll in a total of 6 credit hours during summer or J-term sessions over the duration of the degree.

Incoming students who fit the requirements for the House System will live in the dorms here on campus. The purpose of the House System is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission by cultivating student communities that foster: Great Commission living, academic excellence, community identity and enduring friendships.

Involvement in the College at Southeastern House System shapes virtually every aspect of our student experience. The Houses are led by students and driven by our mission to equip students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. Students will build close friendships, grow spiritually, academically and have plenty of fun!

Students who do not fit the requirements of our House system may desire to choose other housing. Many students choose the option of living in our campus housing options because of their affordability, flexibility, and proximity. To learn more about these and other options, visit our housing office webpage or call them directly at (919) 761-2400.

Southeastern does not currently require student to provide proof of health coverage, however it is highly encouraged.

Southeastern offers an on-campus Health Center directed by a physician for students, faculty and staff as well as their families. Students and their spouses may use the physician’s services without cost during regular office hours.

The entire application process may be completed online.

• A completed application form
• A completed Medical Information Form
• A completed Immunization History Form (North Carolina State Health Department standards require that a completed immunization record be received by Southeastern)
• A completed Southeastern Covenant
• Three completed Character Reference Forms (one must be from a pastor)
• A non-refundable application fee of $40
• Official transcript(s) from all secondary (High School) and post-secondary schools (Colleges/Universities) attended must be sent directly to the Admissions Office from the Registrar of each school previously attended
• A completed Church Recommendation Form
• Spouse’s Personal Statement (if married)
• An official SAT or ACT score sent directly to the Admissions Office from the testing agency

Prospective students are invited to submit an application for admission up to one year in advance of anticipated enrollment. Once all of the supplemental documents arrive (references, transcripts, background check, etc.) and an application is completed, it will be sent for review and the prospective student will be notified of his/her admission decision within 30 days. There is not a firm deadline for applications to be submitted. However, since submitted applications will not be reviewed until they are completed and since the review process can take up to 30 days, we request that all applications are submitted and completed no later than one month in advance of anticipated enrollment. Applications that are submitted or completed within the final 30 days leading up to the semester may still be considered, but we will be unable to guarantee the release of an admissions decision prior to the start of classes.

Once we receive all of the documents associated with your application, you will receive an email to inform you that it has been sent to the Admissions Committee. You will subsequently receive a decision letter in the mail 1-3 weeks after your application has been reviewed.

If you have questions about where your application stands give us a call at 1-800-284-6317. Our admissions team would be happy to update you and let you know any documents that may be missing.

The personal statement is an opportunity to share on your application how you came to faith in Christ, what it has meant for you from then until now and why you believe Southeastern may be the place for your equipping.

You are not required to have a spouse statement completed so long as you complete your application before your wedding date. Congratulations on the upcoming wedding!

Yes, undergraduate credit received from regionally accredited institutions may be transferred into Southeastern.

This will depend on a number of factors. Please contact the Registrar’s Office at (919) 761-2215 to see where you may stand.

The BA in Global Studies and Pastoral Ministry can be completed online. For more questions concerning specific classes that are offered online, please contact distance learning.

Hybrid courses begin each semester with material made available online. When signing up for the course, students commit to be on campus for one Friday night and Saturday during the semester. This required on campus portion is published with the course description. This requires students to only be here physically for one night in the area. After the on campus portion, students complete any remaining coursework online.

Yes, an on campus student may take Hybrid courses.

To learn more about distance learning at Southeastern please check out our distance learning page.

Our admissions team would be happy to provide or help you find the answer to any questions. Please give us a call at 1-800-284-6317 or email us at [email protected]