Don’t Repeat What You’ve Already Done
If you have already completed college-level Bible and theology coursework through your undergraduate degree, you should not have to start over. Advanced Standing is our way of honoring the work you have already done, helping you move through your degree with fewer unnecessary hurdles, and giving you clear options based on what you need for your next step in ministry.
Advanced Standing is evaluated during the admissions process and locked in at the time of admission. The only time it is reevaluated is when a student changes degree programs, since the one-third cap applies to the new degree.
Advanced Standing credit is only available from accredited, domestic U.S.A. undergraduate schools.
Requirements for Advanced Standing
Advanced Standing is awarded on a course-by-course basis.
- Applicants must have a completed undergraduate degree from an accredited college to apply for Advanced Standing.
- Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in their undergraduate study.
- Applicants must have received a grade of B or higher in the undergraduate course completed.
- Up to one-third of degree program requirements can be satisfied through Advanced Standing.
- Please note that Seminary Track students studying at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary are not eligable.
Two Pathways for Advanced Standing
Degree Reduction
Best fit if you want to shorten the degree, saving you time and money.
This option gives you flexibility. If your prior coursework aligns with degree requirements, you can apply Advanced Standing for up to one-third of your program. That reduces the number of courses you need to complete, helps you finish sooner, saves you money, and prevents you from retaking content you have already mastered.
Replace the Foundations with an Elective
Best fit if you want flexibility without reducing the total number of credits.
Bypass many core course requirements and take an elective instead. This keeps your degree moving forward while letting you tailor coursework toward your ministry focus or academic interests.
If You Want More Electives
If you want to free up elective space beyond what Advanced Standing covers, Advanced Placement Exams are the right next step. Review the available exams at https://inside.sbts.edu/advanced-placement-exams/ and reach out to the Student Success Team with questions about which exams fit your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You must have a completed undergraduate degree from an accredited college before you can apply for Advanced Standing.
Up to one-third of your program. That breaks down by degree as follows:
- MDiv: up to 27 hours (9 courses)
- Adv. MDiv: up to 24 hours (8 courses)
- MA: up to 18 hours (6 courses)
- MATS: up to 15 hours (5 courses)
Yes. The undergraduate degree must be from an accredited institution. International coursework is not accepted for Advanced Standing.
You need a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, and you must have earned a B or higher in each individual course being considered.
During the admissions process. It is locked in at the time of admission and cannot be added or changed later. The one exception is a change of degree program.
If you switch to a different degree, your Advanced Standing will need to be reevaluated. The one-third cap applies to your new degree, so some courses that counted under your previous program may not carry over. The Student Success Team will walk through the new evaluation with you.
No. You must have a completed undergraduate degree from an accredited college before you can apply for Advanced Standing.
Yes, you can combine them, but the combined total still cannot exceed one-third of your degree requirements.
Anything beyond the one-third cap can be addressed through an Advanced Placement Exam. You can find the current list of available exams at https://inside.sbts.edu/advanced-placement-exams/
Yes, and we encourage it. Advanced Placement Exams are a great way for current students to demonstrate proficiency in a subject area and open up space for additional electives in their degree.
No. Advanced Standing will not be applied to Pastoral Ministry (40301) or Discipleship Ministry (45260). The supervised ministry experience requirement is embedded in those courses at Southern, so prior undergraduate coursework cannot substitute for them.
The following courses are eligible for consideration:
- Intro to Old Testament, I
- Intro to Old Testament, II
- Beginning Hebrew
- Intro to Hebrew Exegesis: Ruth
- Biblical Hermeneutics
- Intro to New Testament, I
- Intro to New Testament, II
- Beginning Greek
- Intro to Greek Exegesis: 1 John
- Intro to Church History, I
- Intro to Church History, II
- Systematic Theology I
- Systematic Theology II
- Systematic Theology III
- Preaching Practicum
- Introduction to Missiology
- Biblical Counseling & Personal Ministry of the Word
- Christian Preaching
- Christian Leadership
- Christian Apologetics
- Christian Teaching
- Introduction to Biblical Worship
- Personal Evangelism & Devotion
- Survey of Christian Ethics
Process and Timeline for Current Students (May 2026)
Advanced Standing is not usually applied retroactively. We are making a one-time exception for current students. When the opportunity is announced, the Advanced Standing form will open on May 20, 2026, and current students will receive a link to complete it.
Timeline
The form is now open. We will begin reviewing submitted forms on June 1, 2026. Priority is given to students with the earliest expected graduation dates, so forms are worked in grad-date order and students closest to finishing are served first. Approved Advanced Standing is applied in time for Fall 2026 registration for priority cases.
How to Apply
- Watch for the announcement and the link to the Advanced Standing form.
- Submit your undergraduate transcripts to Admissions.
- Check your student email and complete the form at the link provided.
- Review possible Advanced Standing courses through TES.
- For questions, reach out to academicadvising@sbts.edu.