Seminary Extension Campus Begins in Central Arkansas

     The BMA Seminary has been approved by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education* to offer courses leading to the Master of Arts in Religion and Master of Divinity degrees on the campus of Central Baptist College in Conway, Arkansas.

     Students joined professors and administrators on September 4, 2003 for the first classes being offered at the new extension site.

     The fall semester includes a course in expository preaching with Dr. Jesse Thomas and an Old Testament course with Dr. Thom South.  A special study course in effective teaching is also being offered with Drs. Philip Attebery and Ronnie Johnson on November 12-15.

     Students at the extension campus are glad to have the opportunity to advance their education.  One local pastor/student said, “I work over 40-hours a week and pastor a small church in the area.  Without these classes, I would not be able to get courses leading to a M.Div.”  

     Another student said, “I am very thankful.  I am able to pursue my education while remaining involved and committed to my current ministry.  I am also thankful that the seminary is the most affordable that I have found while being a quality education.”

      President, Dr. Charley Holmes, says, “This is a great opportunity for the BMA to offer graduate classes with the approval of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education where it has not been done in a number of years.  This puts BMA Seminary in the unique position of being the only institution in the State of Arkansas with approval to offer such classes.”

      Dr. Thom South will serve as the extension campus administrator. Classes are already being planned for the spring semester and intensive classes for the seminary’s main campus in January.  

       Interested students should contact the BMA Seminary Dean’s Office in Jacksonville, Texas for application and registration information.  Normally, applicants for admission must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited college or university or those accredited by organizations recognized by the Council for Higher Education Association. 

    * The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board certification does not constitute an endorsement of any institution or program.  Such certification merely indicates that certain minimum standards have been met under the rules and regulations implementing institutional and program certification as defined in Arkansas Code 6-61-301.