Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School opened its doors in the fall of 1988 to an entering class of 32 full-time students. Much has changed. The Beeson Divinity School family now includes more than 1,150 graduates serving the Lord on six continents. Much remains the same. We continue to be loyal to our core commitments. We are committed to the life of the church, to the practice of spiritual disciplines, to the total truthfulness of Holy Scripture, to the centrality of preaching, to the mission and unity of the church in the world, and to the great principles that characterized the Protestant Reformation.
At Beeson Divinity School, we frequently say, “Above all else, we want our students to be men and women of God.” We welcome you gladly to join with us as we press “toward the high calling” of God in Jesus Christ. Soli Deo Gloria!
History
On February 9, 1988, the Board of Trustees of Samford University authorized the establishment of the School of Divinity beginning in the 1988-1989 academic session. In one sense this action fulfilled the founding purpose of the University adopted in 1841 which provided for "the establishment of a Theological Institution, connected with the college hereinafter established."
In December 1988, the Samford Board of Trustees voted to name the school the Beeson School of Divinity in honor of Ralph Waldo Beeson and his late father, John Wesley Beeson. Ralph Beeson provided the largest gift from a living individual in Samford history to establish the first divinity school at a Baptist college or university in the nation. Beeson Divinity School is open to persons from all Christian denominations.
Mr. Beeson's founding vision was that Beeson Divinity School would be a place that trains "pastors who can preach." Although many of our students and graduates find places of service outside the pulpit, our aim is to give special attention to the pastoral ministry.
Beeson Divinity School is one of ten schools that make up Samford University.
Mission
Core Values
Confessional
We are committed to the great tradition of historic Christian orthodoxy.
Evangelical
We are committed to the full inspiration and total truthfulness of Holy Scripture.
Interdenominational
We welcome and celebrate denominational diversity within our faculty and student body.
Reformational
We are committed to the theological principles characterized in the Protestant Reformation: Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura, Solus Christus and Soli Deo Gloria!
Our Commitments
We believe in face-to-face theological education for the purpose of face-to-face gospel ministry. Thus, we maintain a low faculty to student ratio (1:7) and keep class sizes small (average 12-15 students per class). All faculty and full-time students participate in weekly faculty-led mentor groups. Because of these commitments, we do not offer online or distance education.
We believe that, more than anything, worship of the Triune God forms us into the image of Jesus Christ and fits us for ministry. Thus, all faculty, staff, and full-time students are expected to worship together in weekly chapel services. Christian worship unites us in fellowship. So we also eat together in the Beeson Commons each week after chapel services.
Statement of Faith
At the founding of Beeson Divinity School in 1988, "The Baptist Faith and Message" (1963) was adopted by the Samford University Board of Trustees as the confessional standard for the school. We affirm without reservation the total truthfulness of Holy Scripture and the great principles of historic Christian orthodoxy embodied in this statement of faith. At the same time, in accordance with the desires of Ralph Waldo Beeson, the school was established as a "Christian, Protestant, evangelical and interdenominational" theological community. We all agree to teach in accordance with and not contrary to those evangelical essentials of the Christian faith, such as the Holy Trinity, the person and work of Jesus Christ, salvation by grace alone, and a life of discipleship and faithful obedience to God's word. Members of the divinity school faculty who are not Baptist by denomination submit in writing their own convictions concerning those articles in the statement of faith that touch on denominational distinctions. In this way, we seek to preserve both the theological integrity and the interdenominational variety of our faculty as set forth in the founding documents of the school.
The Apostles' Creed, which is etched in stone in Andrew Gerow Hodges Chapel, is recited at the beginning of each academic year as an expression of our common commitment to the historic faith of the church. In addition, students who apply for admission to Beeson Divinity School are asked to submit an essay based on the Apostles' Creed.
Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only son our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of
God the Father almighty.
From thence he shall come to judge
the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Accreditation
We are accredited by SACSCOC and by ATS in the United States and Canada to award the following degrees:
- Master of Divinity (MDiv)
- Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS)
Accreditation Contact Information
For questions about accreditation, please contact:
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
The Association of Theological Schools Commission on Accrediting
Samford University is an Equal Opportunity Institution that complies with applicable law prohibiting discrimination in its educational and employment policies and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or national or ethnic origin.
Statement of Educational Effectiveness
The faculty and staff of the Divinity School are committed to the fulfillment of this mission and to rigorous evaluation of programs, services, and outcomes for the sake of educational effectiveness and quality improvement.
While there are various measures of educational effectiveness employed by theological schools, Beeson Divinity School is pleased to publish the following findings:
Master of Divinity
Direct measures of learning (2019-21) revealed that 81% of students met or exceeded the faculty's standards for learning outcomes; 9% met standards with some qualification; and 1% failed to meet standards.
Indirect measures of learning (2019-21 graduates' self-reported evaluations) revealed that graduates were very satisfied with the program's effectiveness in facilitating their growth in biblical and theological understanding, their spiritual formation, and their ministry leadership development. The aggregate rating across all learning outcomes was 4.56 (1 = not at all effective; 5 = very effective).
Master of Arts in Theological Studies
Direct measures of learning (2019-21) revealed that 81% of students met or exceeded the faculty's standards for learning outcomes.
Indirect measures of learning (2019-21 graduates' self-reported evaluations) revealed that graduates were very satisfied with the program's effectiveness in developing their understanding of the theological disciplines. The aggregate rating across all degree objectives was 4.51 (1 = very dissatisfied; 5 = very satisfied).
