Dallas Theological Seminary is reshaping its footprint across the Phoenix area by binding undergraduate degrees directly to graduate-level theological credentials, tackling seminary enrollment and financial challenges through an aggressive network of institutional and congregational partnerships.
An Integrated Academic Pipeline at Arizona Christian University
The expansion anchors itself in a first-of-its-kind curriculum integration with Arizona Christian University. Beginning this fall, every undergraduate student majoring in Bible and theology at ACU will graduate holding a DTS Graduate Certificate of Christian Studies seamlessly embedded within their four-year degree plan. Seniors will complete fifteen hours of coursework taught by DTS professors at the new DTS Academic Training Center on ACU’s campus, combining rigorous theological instruction with hands-on training via local church networks.
Biola University is acquiring Phoenix Seminary and rebranding it as Talbot Seminary Phoenix. The move would make Talbot the second largest independent seminary in the nation, behind only Dallas Theological Seminary. https://t.co/3wmXp6Kgor pic.twitter.com/W6CWrYzwlb
The partnership extends beyond theology majors. Undergraduates pursuing disciplines like business and education can also earn the certificate alongside their primary coursework. Graduates aiming for ministry leadership can transition into a 4+1 pathway, securing a Master of Arts in Christian Leadership with just one additional year of study.
“We’re excited to offer our students something no other Christian university currently provides,” ACU President Len Munsil said. “This partnership gives our students a strong theological foundation and a clear pathway into ministry.”
Expanding the Valley Church Residency Model
Beyond the classroom, DTS is scaling its church-based residency initiative throughout the Phoenix metro area. Originally launched in 2023 with Scottsdale Bible Church, the model allows enrolled students to earn a DTS master’s degree while actively serving in ministry roles. This residency network is now pulling in additional congregations, including Highlands Church and Palmcroft Church.
These institutions are organizing into a Valley Church Training Cohort. The collaborative setup exposes resident students to diverse leadership models and operational contexts while they complete their graduate studies. DTS is also pairing with Pursuit, an eighteen-month women’s discipleship initiative led by Michelle Clifford, executive leader at SBC, which focuses on advanced theological formation and leadership development.
Countering National Seminarian Declines
These structural shifts arrive as many seminaries across the United States are facing enrollment and financial challenges. By embedding seminary credits into undergraduate tuition paths and pairing degrees with church residencies, DTS is reflecting a growing need for models that integrate theological education with real-world ministry experience. To lower financial barriers further, the institution is making transfer students from accredited institutions eligible for Transfer Scholarships.
Mark Yarbrough, president of DTS, framed the regional expansion around an overarching strategy for the western United States. “There is an infectious excitement for the Church in the Valley and across the western United States,” Yarbrough said. “We’re honored to partner with churches and universities to equip men and women to go deep in God’s Word and lead with clarity and conviction.”
