Southern Evangelical Seminary

What Southern Evangelical Seminary does

Southern Evangelical Seminary (SES) is a private Christian seminary founded in 1992 and headquartered in Rock Hill, South Carolina. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees — including a BA in Religious Studies, MAs in Christian Apologetics, Philosophy, Biblical Studies, and Christian Apologetics & Theology, MDiv tracks in Apologetics and Biblical Studies, a DMin in Apologetics, and a PhD in Philosophy of Religion — alongside shorter certificates in Apologetics, Philosophy, PPE, and Biblical Languages. Its category specialization is Christian apologetics, a discipline mainstream seminaries do not foreground, and the institution explicitly refuses government funding to preserve doctrinal independence. The academic catalog is delivered primarily through a digital-first model built on the SES Immersive Digital Campus, supported by a 500+ hour mobile content library and the Populi LMS.

SES operates a dual revenue model. The first leg is tuition: $345/credit hour for undergraduate, $475/credit hour for graduate, $600/credit hour for doctoral, $200/credit hour for dual enrollment, $200 per audit course, plus a $250/semester technology fee. A layered discount stack — military, first responder, pastor, furloughed, and partner-program reductions — is used to broaden the student funnel. The second leg is donor funding: SES is 100% donor-funded, with no government grants, loans, or contracts, distinguishing it from mainstream accredited seminaries and shifting its revenue risk profile toward donor-retention dynamics. Tuition, technology fees, audit income, and certificate fees constitute the direct commercial intake; donations and campaign contributions subsidize operations and scholarships.

The go-to-market strategy centers on three vectors. First, digital content distribution via the Immersive Digital Campus and mobile app, enabling online enrollment nationally and internationally without geographic constraints. Second, an institutional partnership network spanning Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Samaritan's Purse, the Colson Center, Ratio Christi, Church Multiplication Network, and similar parachurch organizations, which functions as both a referral channel and a curriculum-alignment mechanism. Third, the annual National Apologetics and Evangelism Conference, which doubles as a brand-building event, donor-cultivation touchpoint, and student-recruitment channel. Faculty brand — anchored by co-founder Dr. Norman Geisler and including Frank Turek, J. Warner Wallace, and the Dr. Norman Geisler Chair of Christian Apologetics — provides category-defining reputational differentiation that mainstream seminaries cannot easily replicate.

Name

Southern Evangelical Seminary

Legal name

Southern Evangelical Seminary

Website

https://ses.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Southern Evangelical Seminary is a private, donor-funded Christian seminary offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in apologetics, philosophy, and theology. It serves pastors, ministry leaders, and lay Christians globally via an immersive digital campus while refusing government funding to preserve doctrinal independence.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theological and Religious Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bible Colleges (Undergraduate Ministry & Biblical Studies) (EDAHAKAB), Ministerial Training Institutes (Clergy Formation) (EDAHAKAE), Missionary Training Colleges & Schools (EDAHAKAF)

Keywords

• Christian apologetics education
• Theological seminary programs
• Online graduate theology degrees
• Doctoral ministry apologetics
• Biblical studies certificates

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: Primary revenue stream from tuition charged per credit hour for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. Students pay per credit hour based on program level with flat technology and service fees per semester.
2. Certificate Programs: Revenue from for-credit certificate programs offered in Christian Apologetics, Philosophy, Biblical Languages, and Philosophy, Politics, & Economics.
3. Audit and Continuing Education: Revenue from audit courses and continuing education offerings at flat rate per course.
4. Donations and Campaign Contributions: SES is 100% funded by Kingdom donors and does not accept government funding. The Global Scholar Campaign aims to raise $250,000 to equip global leaders. Last year delivered over $250,000 in scholarships.
5. Technology and Service Fees: Flat $250 Technology & Service Fee per semester for all for-credit courses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels15 records

Core offering

Southern Evangelical Seminary delivers accredited Christian higher education in apologetics, theology, philosophy, and biblical studies, ranging from undergraduate (B.A. in Religious Studies) through graduate (M.A. in Christian Apologetics, Philosophy, Biblical Studies, and Christian Apologetics & Theology; M.Div. tracks) to doctoral programs (D.Min. in Apologetics, Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion), plus for-credit certificates and dual-enrollment options. Instruction is delivered primarily online through an Immersive Digital Campus, with a mobile app and Digital Theological Library access supplementing classroom learning.

Product overview

Southern Evangelical Seminary (SES) offers an integrated apologetics-focused Christian education platform providing undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees as well as for-credit certificates. The institution operates through its Immersive Digital Campus platform (offering live-streamed and recorded courses) and mobile application, with programs centered on the integration of philosophy, theology, and apologetics. Degree offerings include the Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies; Master of Arts degrees in Christian Apologetics (36 hours), Philosophy (42 hours), Biblical Studies (63 hours), and Christian Apologetics & Theology (60 hours); Master of Divinity degrees in Apologetics and Biblical Studies (both 84 hours); and doctoral programs including the Doctor of Ministry in Apologetics (36 hours) and Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy of Religion (60 hours). Certificate programs include Apologetics, Philosophy, Philosophy Politics & Economics (15 hours), and Biblical Languages (18 hours). The institution also hosts the annual National Apologetics and Evangelism Conference.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies A 120-credit-hour apologetics-focused undergraduate degree preparing students for graduate work in apologetics, philosophy, and biblical studies, with some hours applicable to M.A. programs.
• Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics (M.A.C.A.) A 36-credit-hour seminary-level master's providing focused training in classical apologetics for ministry or further academic study, designed to be completed in one year of full-time study.
• Master of Arts in Philosophy A 42-credit-hour M.A. with classical philosophical underpinning, foundational for theology and apologetics, preparing students for doctoral studies or engagement with philosophical issues in contemporary culture.
• Master of Arts in Biblical Studies A 63-credit-hour program focusing on Greek and Hebrew grammar, syntax, and interpretation, with coursework in Aramaic, Syriac, and Latin, integrated with apologetics emphasis.
• Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics & Theology A 60-credit-hour comprehensive seminary-level degree providing in-depth training in the interplay between philosophy, theology, and apologetics, designed for ordination preparation or advanced ministry.
• Master of Divinity in Apologetics An 84-credit-hour intensive accredited degree providing a broad foundation for various ministry pursuits, combining theology, philosophy, and apologetics, delivered via live-streamed and recorded courses.
• Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies An 84-credit-hour program designed to strengthen students for diverse ministries, emphasizing apologetics, biblical language training (Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Syriac, and Latin), and classical theism.
• Doctor of Ministry in Apologetics A 36-credit-hour doctoral program designed for ministers to enhance credibility and confidence in addressing unique issues of 21st-century pastoral leadership through advanced apologetics training.
• Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy of Religion A 60-credit-hour terminal doctoral program preparing students for academic research and teaching in philosophy of religion, apologetics, and related fields, completed via the immersive digital campus.
• Certificate in Apologetics A for-credit certificate providing core apologetics courses with a systematic approach built upon solid arguments and reasons, providing a firm foundation for the Christian faith.
• Certificate in Philosophy A for-credit certificate preparing students to understand the nature of reality that forms the structure of a good apologetic, foundational for defending the faith.
• Certificate in Philosophy, Politics, & Economics (PPE) A 15-credit-hour certificate equipping future pastors and apologists with training in the ethical, political, and economic implications of the Christian faith for engaging secularist and progressivist worldviews.
• Certificate in Biblical Languages An 18-credit-hour for-credit certificate for those seeking knowledge of the original languages of the Bible (Greek, Hebrew) to better understand the correct meaning and application of the biblical text.

Quantifiable outcome

• Affordable tuition: $345 undergraduate, $475 graduate, $600 doctoral per credit hour - significantly below comparable institutions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Ratio ChristicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRatio Christi was originally birthed at SES and establishes apologetics clubs on college and high school campuses. Ratio Christi staff and missionaries receive a 25% tuition discount on for-credit courses at SES. RCMA Training Fellowship provides fully trained and funded missionaries with the same 25% discount plus additional training from Ratio Christi.
• Billy Graham Evangelistic AssociationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFull-time employees of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association are eligible for a 25% discount on all for-credit courses at SES.
• Samaritan's PursemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFull-time employees of Samaritan's Purse are eligible for a 25% discount on all for-credit courses at SES.
• CrossExamined Instructor Academy (CIA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerLed by SES alum and CrossExamined.org President Dr. Frank Turek, CIA graduates receive a 25% discount on all for-credit courses at SES. CIA is an intense three-day program teaching how to present 'I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist' in hostile environments.
• Online Christian Courses (OCC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOCC students who earn a certificate from approved Premium OCC Certificate Courses may earn three credit hours at SES for Introduction to Christian Apologetics by completing additional assignments. All OCC graduates receive a 10% discount on all for-credit courses.
• Colson Center / Colson FellowsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGraduates of the Colson Fellows program and full-time Colson Center employees are eligible for a 25% discount on all for-credit courses. Colson Fellows graduates also receive six credit hours applied to elective courses in an SES degree program.
• Bible College Articulation PartnersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSES has articulation agreements with Alaska Bible College, Calvary Chapel Bible College, Carolina College of Biblical Studies, Fire School of Ministry, and Fruitland Baptist Bible College. Credits from these institutions are accepted at SES, and graduates receive a 25% discount on all for-credit courses.
• North Carolina State Approving Agency (V.A.)minorOthersDegree programs at SES are approved by the North Carolina State Approving Agency for the enrollment of persons eligible for education assistance benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (V.A.). SES is approved for V.A. benefits though these are continually threatened by government mandates.
• CrossExamined.orgcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFounded and led by SES alum Dr. Frank Turek, CrossExamined.org presents evidence for Christianity at churches and college campuses. Dr. Turek serves as Adjunct Professor at SES.
• Digital Theological LibrarycoreTechnology or IntegrationSES is a supporting sponsor of the Digital Theological Library, providing students with access to one of the most expansive theological libraries ever created for academic research.
• Norm Geisler International MinistriesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNamed after SES co-founder Dr. Norman Geisler, this ministry is among the alumni ministry placements from SES.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary: Multi-denominational evangelical seminary with online M.Div. and D.Min. programs. Competes for working professionals seeking accredited evangelical seminary degrees online.
• Biola University: Evangelical university with the Talbot School of Theology and a dedicated apologetics program. Listed as a direct tuition comparator at every level and competes for apologetics-focused online students.
• Houston Christian University: Houston Baptist University (now Houston Christian University) is cited as a tuition comparator at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels and competes for the same online seminary market.
• Dallas Theological Seminary: Major evangelical graduate seminary offering Th.M. and Ph.D. programs with a similar emphasis on biblical inerrancy and dispensational theology. Competes for the same graduate theology student pool.
• The Master's Seminary: Reformed-cessationist evangelical seminary focused on expository preaching and pastoral training. Directly comparable in scale, mission, and online M.Div. offerings to SES.
• Reformed Theological Seminary: Multi-campus Reformed evangelical seminary with a robust online M.A. and M.Div. program. Directly comparable online delivery model and conservative-evangelical theological positioning.
• Denver Seminary: Evangelical seminary offering online M.Div., M.A., and D.Min. programs at comparable price points. Targets the same non-denominational evangelical student demographic as SES.

Broad incumbents

• Liberty University: Largest online evangelical university in the U.S. with a seminary and doctoral programs. Listed as a direct tuition comparator in SES pricing and competes for the same online evangelical seminary student.
• Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary: One of the largest SBC-affiliated seminaries offering Ph.D. and Th.M. programs with online options. Competes in the same conservative-evangelical graduate theology market as SES.

Regional players

• Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary: Southern Baptist seminary offering online and on-campus graduate theology degrees. Comparable in theological orientation and competes with SES for SBC-affiliated and broader evangelical students in the U.S. Southeast.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sesapologetics
• YouTubeyoutube.com/southernevangelicalseminary
• Facebookfacebook.com/sesapologetics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/sesapologetics
• Instagraminstagram.com/sesapologetics

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Southern Evangelical Seminary