More About BTS

The Birmingham Theological Seminary (BTS) offers an unusual opportunity for study. While the student remains at home, the Bible and theology can be studied in a laboratory environment.

The BTS programs are primarily designed to accommodate those who wish to pursue their studies on a part-time basis. The student may elect to take all their course work at BTS and be granted a degree from BTS. Other students may choose to attend BTS for only a few semesters before transferring to a full time residence program at another seminary. An increasingly popular option is for the student is to combine regular campus classes with the BTS Distance Education Component to facilitate a more rapid completion of their program while remaining in the work force and active in their home church.

BTS is a member of the Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries (ARTS). ARTS is a growing accrediting association comprised of graduate institutions that hold to the doctrines of the Reformed faith. For more information about ARTS, visit their website by clicking here.

Credits from BTS have been accepted at several evangelical institutions subject to the policies and degree requirements of each school. The student who expects to receive a degree from an institution other than BTS should write for specific information concerning applicability of work taken at BTS. Several major seminaries have been willing to either accept transfer credit from BTS or recognize a BTS degree as the prerequisite for pursuing a more advanced degree.

The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) has granted BTS full academic credit for Bible coursework. This extends to continuing education units as well. The appropriate credit for continuing education units will be granted by ACSI based upon transcripts provided by the applicant seeking certification.

As of February, 2006, Birmingham Theological Seminary has become an “affiliate institution” of the Association for Biblical Higher Education. ABHE, formerly known as The Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges, (AABC) of Orlando. Florida, is recognized by the US Department of Education as an accrediting governing body. The “affiliate status” will now allow BTS to take advantage of the many programs and services that the Association provides. This presents BTS with the opportunity of inclusion on the Association website and a listing in the ABHE Directory, along with the opportunity to network with like institutions, to gain additional assistance working toward the accreditation process and access to the consultative services of ABHE.

BTS has a special relationship with the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The PCA has adopted an internship program which must be completed prior to ordination which is in addition to the Master of Divinity degree. BTS is so structured that this additional requirement can be accommodated.

The curriculum has been designed to fulfill the requirements of the uniform curriculum of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The Theological Education Committee of the PCA's General Assembly has approved the program. Thus graduates of BTS are eligible for ordination in any presbytery of the PCA.

Although based in Birmingham at Briarwood Presbyterian Church, the Birmingham Theological Seminary (BTS) conducts courses at several other locations. Within Birmingham many courses are taught at the Birmingham Easonian Baptist Bible College and Household of Faith Church. The Montgomery Extension courses are taught at Trinity Presbyterian, Faith Presbyterian and Eastwood Presbyterian churches, and in Tuscaloosa classes are held each semester at the First African Baptist Church. Classes are held in Huntsville at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

The purpose of BTS is to prepare students to fulfill the Great Commission by equipping them to reproduce the next generation to fulfill the Great Commission in Alabama, North America and around the world.