Central Baptist Theological Seminary

What Central Baptist Theological Seminary does

Central Baptist Theological Seminary is a private theological institution founded in 1901, headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas (Kansas City metropolitan area), and celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2026. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the Association of Theological Schools, and it delivers accredited theological education primarily online with periodic in-person intensives and seven Korean-language campus locations across the United States (Dallas, Austin, Houston, Overland Park, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta) hosted at partner Korean churches and a Georgia Gwinnett College site.

The seminary's product portfolio spans Doctor of Ministry (DMin in Creative Leadership in English; DMin in Missional Church Studies in Korean), master's degrees (Master of Divinity; Master of Arts in Counseling; Master of Arts in Ministry; Master of Arts in Theological Studies; Master of Christian Care & Counseling in Korean), certificate programs (Graduate and Professional Certificates in Chaplaincy; Certificate in Peace and Justice Ministry), and a Diploma in Christian Formation. The core technology stack centers on live video conferencing for synchronous online instruction, the Populi student information system, Microsoft 365 with a myCBTS single sign-on portal, the Digital Theological Library (DTL), and research databases (ATLA, EBSCOhost, ProQuest). The Buttry Center for Peace and Nonviolence operates as a sub-brand running webinars, Bible studies, and peacebuilding programming.

The business model combines tuition revenue (charged per credit hour: $410 for MDiv, $425 for the Chaplaincy certificate, $600/course for the Professional Chaplaincy certificate) with charitable donations processed through Network for Good. The seminary does not participate in Title IV federal student aid, instead offering institutional Green Scholarships (100%, 75%, 50% tiers) and payment plans. Customer segments include aspiring ministry leaders, counseling professionals preparing for LPC licensure, Korean-speaking students in the US and abroad, and students pursuing peace and justice ministry through the Buttry Center. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the website, blog, Voice Magazine, events/webinars, a speaker's bureau, and dedicated Korean-program outreach channels.

Name

Central Baptist Theological Seminary

Legal name

Central Baptist Theological Seminary

Website

https://cbts.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1901

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Central Baptist Theological Seminary is a private, ATS- and HLC-accredited theological school founded in 1901 in Overland Park, Kansas, delivering online and hybrid English and Korean ministry degrees, certificates, and diplomas to aspiring pastors, counselors, and Korean-speaking students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theological Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM), Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG), Ministerial Training Institutes (Clergy Formation) (EDAHAKAE)

Keywords

• Theological education
• Seminary programs
• Online ministry degrees
• Pastoral training
• Chaplaincy certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Shawnee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition - Degree Programs: Revenue from tuition for degree programs including Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Counseling, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and Doctor of Ministry. Tuition is charged per credit hour. Students pay per term with registration fees.
2. Certificate Program Fees: Graduate Certificate in Chaplaincy at $425/credit and Professional Certificate at $600/course. Non-degree programs providing alternative credential pathways.
3. Donations and Fundraising: The seminary accepts charitable donations through Network for Good platform for the 2026 FYE campaign and general operations support

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Central Baptist Theological Seminary provides accredited theological higher education through degree, certificate, and diploma programs. Programs include the Doctor of Ministry (English and Korean), Master of Divinity, Master of Arts degrees (Counseling, Ministry, Theological Studies, Christian Care & Counseling), certificates in Chaplaincy and Peace and Justice Ministry, and a diploma in Christian Formation. Programs are delivered primarily online via live video sessions with additional in-person Korean-language cohorts across seven US cities and on-site intensives in Kansas.

Product overview

Central Baptist Theological Seminary offers a comprehensive suite of theological education programs delivered primarily online with some hybrid options. The portfolio includes doctoral programs (Doctor of Ministry in Creative Leadership and Missional Church Studies), master's degree programs (Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Counseling, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and Master of Christian Care & Counseling), certificate programs (Graduate and Professional Certificates in Chaplaincy and Peace and Justice Ministry), and diploma programs. Programs are offered in both English and Korean, with real-time online sessions and occasional in-person intensives. The seminary provides student support through the myCBTS portal (integrated with Microsoft and Populi), the Shumaker Library (Digital Theological Library), and the Buttry Center for Peace and Nonviolence. Accreditation is maintained through the Higher Learning Commission and Association of Theological Schools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Buttry Center for Peace and Nonviolence: A center focused on theologically engaging, educating, and connecting people of faith for seeking justice, nurturing peace, and caring for creation. Named after Dan and Sharon Buttry, Global Peace Consultants for International Ministries of the American Baptist Churches.

Products and services

• Doctor of Ministry in Creative Leadership A 100% online doctoral program designed for entrepreneurial individuals seeking to advance their seminary education and develop sustainable change leadership skills in ministry contexts.
• Doctor of Ministry in Missional Church Studies (Korean) A Korean-language doctoral program focusing on missional church leadership and creativity, offered to students worldwide.
• Master of Divinity (MDiv) A comprehensive theological degree preparing students for pastoral ministry, chaplaincy, missions, and nonprofit leadership, structured around four pillars: interpretation, contextualization, performance, and formation. Available in English and Korean.
• Master of Arts in Counseling (MACO) A hybrid in-person and online accredited program preparing students to become Licensed Professional Counselors, taught by scholar-practitioner faculty combining theory and clinical practice.
• Master of Arts in Ministry A professional degree program equipping students for ministry inside and outside congregational settings, tailored for vocational goals in a changing global environment.
• Master of Arts in Theological Studies A research and communication-focused program strengthening interpersonal and leadership skills with emphases in Biblical Studies or Peacemaking/Reconciliation.
• Master of Christian Care & Counseling (Korean) A Korean-language master's program preparing Christian caregivers and counselors with empathy, listening, and coaching skills for serving church and community.
• Graduate Certificate in Chaplaincy A non-degree for-credit program (18 credits, 100% online, completed in one year) for individuals seeking employment or board certification as chaplains; can be integrated with MDiv or MA degrees.
• Professional Certificate in Chaplaincy A non-degree, not-for-credit program for persons interested in caregiving skills, volunteering as a chaplain, or part-time employment in specific chaplaincy settings.
• Certificate in Peace and Justice Ministry An online certificate program focusing on conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and social change, offered as a 12-credit Graduate Certificate and a Professional Certificate option.
• Diploma in Christian Formation (Korean) A Korean-language diploma program preparing students for dedicated Christian life in church and daily life through structured courses.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates prepared for ministry in traditional church settings and non-profit organizations
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Dan and Sharon ButtrycoreOthers · 1 May 2018The Buttry Center for Peace and Nonviolence was named after Dan and Sharon Buttry, who worked as Global Peace Consultants for International Ministries of the American Baptist Churches, USA. In 2009, Dr. Buttry was awarded an honorary doctoral degree from Central Seminary. The center continues their legacy of peacebuilding work.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationCentral Seminary uses Microsoft applications including myCBTS (Microsoft myApps) for single sign-on access to all student systems, and Microsoft 365 for email and collaboration tools.
• Digital Theological Library (DTL)coreTechnology or IntegrationDTL is a comprehensive online library providing access to theology, religious studies, and counseling resources. Available through MyCBTS to all current students, faculty, and staff.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Liberty University Online: Large, broadly accredited online university with a seminary offering low-cost MDiv and DMin programs. Significant competitor on price and online accessibility, though less denominationally specialized.
• Fuller Theological Seminary: Large multi-denominational, ATS-accredited seminary with a well-developed online program and significant counseling (PsyD/PhD) offerings. Overlaps with CBTS's counseling and DMin tracks but at much greater scale.

Direct peers

• Asbury Theological Seminary: Evangelical, ATS-accredited seminary with extensive online degree programs (MDiv, MA, DMin) and similar affordability-focused positioning. Direct competitor in the online theological education market.
• Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary: Evangelical, ATS-accredited seminary with a significant online DMin and master's portfolio. Comparable target audience of ministry professionals and similar accredited online delivery model.
• Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary: Another large Southern Baptist seminary with extensive online degree offerings. Comparable denominational positioning, ATS accreditation, and target audience of ministry leaders.
• Northern Baptist Theological Seminary: Baptist-aligned, ATS-accredited seminary with online MDiv and DMin programs serving ministry leaders. Similar size, denomination, and online-first delivery model.
• Southern Baptist Theological Seminary: The flagship Southern Baptist seminary, also Baptist-denominational, ATS-accredited, and a major provider of online theological degrees. Directly competes for the same Baptist/evangelical student pool that CBTS serves.
• Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond: Moderate Baptist seminary offering MDiv and DMin programs with online options. Closely comparable in denominational niche, ATS accreditation, and small-institution scale.

Regional players

• McMaster Divinity College: Baptist-affiliated divinity school in Canada offering MDiv and master's programs. Comparable Baptist/evangelical identity and ATS-affiliated accreditation, but serves a primarily Canadian market.

Emerging players

• Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary: Smaller ATS-accredited seminary with online master's programs and a strong peace/justice orientation, paralleling CBTS's Buttry Center positioning. Comparable scale and niche programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CBTSKansas
• Facebookfacebook.com/107003847691
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/central-baptist-theological-seminary-cp

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Central Baptist Theological Seminary