Chicago Metropolitan Baptist Association.

Through the collaborative efforts of leadership from the Chicago Metropolitan Baptist Association (CMBA), local churches within the CMBA and the Illinois Baptist State Association (IBSA), an extension of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) began in August 2004 and offers courses leading to the completion of fully-accredited Master's Degrees. Register now!

This page provides important information regarding how you as a local church pastor, church leadership team member, Christian layperson, or Associational staff leader can more fully prepare yourself to better "equip the saints to do the work of the ministry" (Ephesians 4:11-16).

General Information

The Seminary Extension Center offers courses leading to the completion of three different degree programs to help meet the training needs of church, parachurch, and denominatioanl servants. Seminarians must complete, in the course of their studies, a certain amount of courswork on the main seminary campus in Louisville (approximately 5 hours from Chicago). This is usually accomplished through intensive, one-week J Term classes during the summer or in January.

Degree Programs

Each of the degree tracks offered at the Chicago Seminary Extension Center are fully-accredited by all of the major accrediting agencies related to any particular area of study offered by the seminary. This includes both the regional agency (SACS) and national theological accreditation (ATS). Following are the primary degree tracks offered through the Seminary Extension Center.

Master of Arts in Theological Studies(M.A.T.S.)
Master of Arts(M.A.)
Master of Divinity(M.Div.)

Degree Descriptions

M.A.T.S. The Master of Arts in Theological Studies is designed especially for non-vocational ministers on your lay leadership team. It is a 48 hour degree that offers extensive studies in Theology, History and Biblical Studies. Though the M.A.T.S. is a professional degree longer than some other comparable master's degrees in other fields, if a student wishes to pursue doctoral studies, either the M.A. or M.Div. will be required as the prerequisite.

M.A.C.E. The Master of Arts in Christian Education is a 63 hour degree that focuses on a broad curriculum not unlike a traditional liberal arts approach. This particular M.A. has emphases in Christian Education. The M.A. is considered the predominate and often, preferred, degree for those serving on church and parachurch staffs in the areas of Christian Education, Spiritual Formation/Discipleship, Youth Ministry, Children's Ministry, Administration and the like. Course electives allow M.A. degree candidates to tailor their program to meet their particular calling and vocational needs.

M.Div. The Master of Divinity is a 91 hour program whose primary emphasis is the preparation of ministers for service within the Pastorate. Unlike the breadth of the M.A. degree, the M.Div. takes the student deeper into Biblical Studies (Exegesis and Hermeneutics) and Preaching (Homiletics), in addition to the general coursework offered in the M.A.T.S.

Those considering enrolling in the Chicago Extension are encouraged to discuss the nature of their calling with an advisor (stadvising@sbts.edu) in order to ensure the degree they pursue will help them prepare for their vocational interests.

Those who are prepared to begin classes this coming semester can go online to http://www.sbts.edu/admissions/ and download the seminary admission application OR you can request the abbreviated Special Student Admissions Agreement from our Center Director (jnoh@sbts.edu), however that Special Student Admissions Agreement form is only valid for attending classes for one semester. If you use that option, the full application must be completed before you begin attending a second semester of classes. In the event you would like to have one mailed to you (instead of e-mailed), simply contact Southern Seminary at (800) 626-5525 and request the Admissions Office.

Once you've applied, you will be sent information and instructions on how to register for classes-- even though you may already be attending classes. You will then log on to www.sbtsstudents.netand provide the ID name and password given to you by the Registrar's Office. That will unlock a vast array of helps for you as a new student.

At your personal web page, issued to you as a student, you will be given a student e-mail account and you can easily register for classes in a straight-forward process that isn't confusing... and then get catalog information, course schedules, transfer of credit request forms, transcripts, your GPA, your professor's e-mail and your course syllabus-- and much more.

When you register you will be asked to work out some payment arrangements for classes and there are a couple of options from which to choose-- including a "pay as you go" plan that many, if not most, students use. Using that program (called FACTS) you can pay out through the semester, making it easier to budget for your seminary expenses.

Already Previously Attended Chicago Extension Classes?

If you have previously been a student, here are Specific Instructions on How To Register for Classes at the Chicago Extension Center!

Ten Easy Steps to Properly Registering for Classes

Sign on to http://www.sbts.edu/ and go to the E-Campus link-- or directly log on at https://ecampus.sbts.edu/ics/.
Go to the 'Student' Tab
See "Registration Portlet" near the middle of the page and CLICK ON EX WEB.
Click on "Course Search" in the gray area...
Change the "term" to Spring 06 and click "Change"
Then in the gray box, where it says "Location" change that to the "all" selection
Then in the third box down, where it says "select course by course number"-- then fill in the course you want.
Any course that comes up as "X9" is Chicago's extension listing. (Example: 22400-X9 is Elementary Greek; 22200-X9 is New Testament I; 32100-X9 is Personal Evangelism)-- those would be our classes.
Then, click "action" for adding the class...
You're ready to go!