Southern California Seminary

Name

Southern California Seminary

Legal name

Southern California Seminary

Website

https://socalsem.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theological Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bible Colleges (Undergraduate Ministry & Biblical Studies) (EDAHAKAB), Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM)

Keywords

• Theological education
• Biblical studies
• Seminary degrees
• Christian counseling
• Ministry preparation

Headquarters

HQ city

El Cajon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: SCS generates primary revenue through tuition charged for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. The seminary emphasizes 'refreshingly affordable' tuition with a stated goal of completing an MA in Christian Ministry for under $6,000 for qualifying students. Programs are offered both on-campus and online with varying fee structures.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: SCS operates a donation program accepting charitable contributions to support the institution's mission. The seminary is supported by Shadow Mountain Community Church and receives grants such as the Pathways for Tomorrow Lilly Grant.
3. SCS Press Publications: Revenue from sale of faculty-published books and theological works through the seminary's publishing arm, including scholarly texts and ministry resources.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Southern California Seminary is a private, nonprofit Bible seminary offering accredited theological and behavioral sciences education from associate through doctoral levels, delivered both on-campus at its El Cajon, California headquarters and 100% online. Its portfolio includes undergraduate programs (San Diego Bible College), graduate Bible & Theology degrees, and a Graduate School of Behavioral Sciences, supplemented by community courses, a lecture series, a publishing arm (SCS Press), and student support services such as a Writing Center and Library.

Product overview

Southern California Seminary is a private Bible seminary offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services across three main divisions: San Diego Bible College (undergraduate), the Graduate School of Bible and Theology, and the Graduate School of Behavioral Sciences. The institution provides face-to-face instruction at its San Diego campus and a parallel suite of eight degree programs delivered 100% online. Beyond degree programs, SCS offers community courses, the Lecture Series for affordable continuing education, maintains its own publishing house (SCS Press), and provides student support services including a Writing Center and Library. The product architecture combines residential and online delivery models with both credit-bearing degree programs and non-degree community education offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Associate of Arts in Christian Ministry (AACM) Two-year undergraduate degree preparing students for entry-level ministry roles, offered through San Diego Bible College.
• Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies (BABS) Four-year undergraduate degree in biblical studies offered through San Diego Bible College.
• Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM) Graduate degree program that can be completed in 12 months for under $6,000 for qualifying students.
• Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies (MAIS) Graduate degree preparing students for cross-cultural ministry and missions work.
• Master of Arts in Christian Counseling (MACC) Graduate degree combining biblical foundations with counseling skills for ministry to individuals and families.
• Master of Arts in Christian Thought (MACT) Graduate degree focused on Christian theological studies.
• Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (MABS) Graduate degree focusing on advanced biblical studies and exegesis.
• Master of Divinity (MDiv) Comprehensive three-year graduate degree preparing students for pastoral ministry and chaplaincy.
• Master of Theology (ThM) Advanced graduate degree in theology for students seeking deeper academic preparation.
• Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Professional doctorate for practicing ministry professionals seeking advanced leadership training.
• MA in Counseling Psychology (MACP) Graduate degree preparing students for clinical counseling practice with strong biblical foundation.
• MA in Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT) Graduate degree preparing students for marriage and family therapy practice.
• Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) Doctoral degree in psychology for clinical practice.
• Online Biblical Studies Programs Eight degree programs available 100% online with classes starting every 7 weeks, serving domestic and international students.
• Community Courses Non-degree community education courses including Biblical Worldview and other topical studies open to the public.
• SCS Lecture Series Seven-week intensive courses meeting three hours one night per week, offering seminary-quality instruction at an affordable price.
• SCS Press Publishing arm producing theological books, textbooks, and scholarly works by faculty and affiliated scholars.
• San Diego Bible College Undergraduate division offering associate and bachelor's degrees in biblical studies and Christian ministry.
• Graduate School of Bible and Theology Graduate division offering MA, MDiv, ThM, and DMin programs preparing Christian leaders for service inside and outside the Church.
• Graduate School of Behavioral Sciences Graduate division preparing students to minister to individuals and families with emotional, psychological, or relationship struggles, integrating counseling and psychological research with biblical foundations.
• Writing Center Writing assistance service for campus and online students providing help with writing, proof-reading, editing, and formatting (Turabian and APA).
• Library Services Seminary library providing research resources, academic databases, and student support services.

Quantifiable outcome

• MA in Christian Ministry can be completed in 12 months for under $6,000 for qualifying students
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Shadow Mountain Community ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCS is supported by Shadow Mountain Community Church under the leadership of Dr. David Jeremiah. This affiliation provides institutional support, spiritual community connection, and a natural referral pipeline for prospective students. The church's national profile enhances SCS's visibility and credibility in evangelical circles.
• Association of Theological Schools (ATS)coreOthersSCS holds accreditation from ATS for its Graduate School of Bible and Theology, ensuring academic standards meet nationally recognized criteria for theological education institutions.
• Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS)coreOthersSCS holds accreditation from TRACS, providing recognition for its educational programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels as a Christian postsecondary institution.
• National Association of Professional Chaplains (APC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCS's military chaplaincy preparation program is recognized by APC, allowing graduates to pursue Board Certified Chaplaincy. The program combines MACC and MDiv degrees with Clinical Pastoral Education pathways.
• Association of Gospel Churches (AGC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCS graduates are eligible for AGC military chaplaincy endorsement through the seminary's specialized preparation track designed for those called to serve as military chaplains.
• Routledge PublishingminorOthersRoutledge, a multinational publisher based in England, published Dr. Jeremiah Mutie's 'Death and Afterlife in Medieval Christian Thought' - demonstrating faculty scholarly achievement and publishing partnerships.
• Wipf and Stock PublishersminorOthersWipf and Stock published Dr. Jeremiah Mutie's 'The Quest for Early Church Historiography.' This partnership enables faculty scholarly works to reach broader academic audiences.
• Oakridge Bible ChapelGTM or Marketing PartnerDr. James Fazio collaborates with Oakridge Bible Chapel on the Gospel According to Matthew podcast series, extending SCS's reach through multimedia content and community engagement.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SoCalSeminary
• Facebookfacebook.com/155703336425
• Instagraminstagram.com/socalseminary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/620209

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

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 California Seminary