Talbot School of Theology

What Talbot School of Theology does

Talbot School of Theology is a private, nonprofit theological seminary and integral school of Biola University, Inc., headquartered on the Biola University campus in La Mirada, California, founded in 1952. The institution delivers accredited graduate and undergraduate theological education — including a Master of Divinity with six concentrations, multiple Master of Arts programs (Christian Ministry and Leadership, Christian Apologetics, Bible Exposition), an online B.S. in Bible, Theology, and Apologetics, a Doctor of Ministry, and certificate programs — across three modalities: on-campus in Southern California, fully online via the Biola LEARN learning management system, and through language-specific programs targeting Korean (Talbot Korean) and Spanish-speaking (Talbot en Español) students. Supporting the academic portfolio are specialized units including the Institute for Spiritual Formation, the Center for the Study of the Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit Today, Talbot Embedded (integrated ministry placement), and the Global Learning Center.

The school's go-to-market is a traditional seminary admissions motion operating through the Biola University admissions portal, with Apply Now and Request Information calls-to-action complemented by direct outreach via the Dean-led "Lead the Way Tour" across California, the Think Biblically Podcast, The Good Book Blog, Talbot Magazine, and presence on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Revenue is generated almost exclusively through tuition and academic fees for degree and certificate programs, with no alternative revenue streams disclosed; tuition rates are not publicly published on Talbot's own pages. The school's value proposition is anchored in biblical inerrancy, multidenominational community, recognized strength in Christian apologetics, and integration of spiritual formation with academic study, positioning Talbot as a training ground for vocational Christian ministry.

Recent strategic activity signals expansion: a 2025 launch of Talbot en Español (four fully online Spanish-language programs) and Talbot Korean (three programs including a D.Min.), and the 2026 announcement that Biola University will acquire Phoenix Seminary to extend Talbot's footprint into the Southwest. The school is also preparing for an ATS Commission on Accrediting reaffirmation visit scheduled March 23-26, 2026, a critical regulatory milestone for sustaining accredited status and federal financial aid eligibility. Leadership includes Dean Ed Stetzer, Associate Dean Douglas Geringer, and faculty such as Kyle Strobel (Assistant Professor of Spiritual Formation). As a division of a private nonprofit, Talbot has no independent fundraising rounds, ownership changes, or public-market events to disclose.

Name

Talbot School of Theology

Legal name

Biola University, Inc.

Website

https://talbot.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Talbot School of Theology is the accredited seminary division of Biola University, offering M.Div., M.A., doctoral, certificate, and online B.S. programs on-campus in La Mirada and online via Biola LEARN, including Korean and Spanish-language programs. It serves prospective pastors, ministry leaders, and lay students seeking biblical, multidenominational theological education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theological Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD), Bible Colleges (Undergraduate Ministry & Biblical Studies) (EDAHAKAB)

Keywords

• Theological seminary education
• Graduate ministry degrees
• Christian apologetics programs
• Biblical studies degrees
• Online seminary programs

Headquarters

HQ city

La Mirada

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Fees: Talbot generates revenue primarily through tuition fees charged for its degree programs including Master of Divinity, Master of Arts degrees, and Bachelor of Science programs. Programs are available both on-campus in Southern California and online, with pricing varying by delivery format.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Talbot School of Theology is a theological seminary within Biola University that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in theology, biblical studies, Christian apologetics, ministry, and spiritual formation. Programs are offered on-campus in Southern California, fully online, and in language-specific tracks (Korean and Spanish), spanning B.S., M.A., M.Div., D.Min., and certificate credentials.

Product overview

Talbot School of Theology is a theological seminary within Biola University offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs and spiritual formation resources. The portfolio includes undergraduate degree programs (B.S. in Bible, Theology, and Apologetics, available online), multiple Master of Arts programs (Christian Ministry and Leadership, Christian Apologetics, Bible Exposition), Master of Divinity with six concentrations, doctoral programs (Doctor of Ministry), and certificate programs. Talbot also offers language-specific programs including Talbot en Español (with four fully online Spanish-language degrees and certificate) and Talbot Korean (with three programs). Supporting the academic offerings are specialized institutes including the Institute for Spiritual Formation, the Center for the Study of the Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit Today, Talbot Embedded, and the Global Learning Center. The school further extends its reach through media publications including the Think Biblically Podcast, The Good Book Blog, and Talbot Magazine. Programs are available on campus in Southern California, fully online, and through embedded ministry partnerships, with recent expansion through the announced acquisition of Phoenix Seminary.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• B.S. in Bible, Theology, and Apologetics (Online) A fully online undergraduate bachelor's degree program equipping students to think biblically, minister effectively, and advocate compellingly for the Christian faith.
• Master of Divinity A comprehensive graduate degree offering six concentrations (with two fully online) preparing students to serve in church, missions, or Christian ministry. Concentrations include Pastoral Care and Counseling, Missions and Intercultural Studies, and Pastoral and General Ministries.
• Master of Arts – Christian Apologetics Recognized as one of the world's leading apologetics programs, preparing students to articulate a Christian worldview with intelligence, confidence, and compassion. Available on campus and online.
• Master of Arts in Bible Exposition A master's degree program focused on deep study and exposition of biblical texts.
• Master of Arts in Christian Ministry and Leadership A master's degree program preparing students for Christian ministry and leadership roles within church and ministry settings.
• Talbot Korean Programs Three seminary degree programs (M.A. in Christian Ministry and Leadership, M.Div., and D.Min.) delivered in Korean for Korean-speaking students.
• Talbot en Español Programs Four fully online programs in Spanish: Certificado en Estudios Bíblicos y Teológicos (certificate), Maestría en Artes en Exposición Bíblica, Maestría en Ministerio y Liderazgo Cristiano, and Maestría en Divinidad en Ministerios Pastorales y Generales.

Quantifiable outcome

• One of the world's leading Christian Apologetics programs recognized by the institution

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Phoenix SeminaryflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Biola University has announced plans to acquire Phoenix Seminary as a strategic expansion initiative to broaden Talbot School of Theology's presence in the Southwest United States. This acquisition represents a significant growth partnership for Talbot, extending its theological education footprint beyond its Southern California base.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Master's University and Seminary: Evangelical institution combining undergraduate Bible college and seminary programs under one university, similar to Biola/Talbot's structure. Comparable in doctrinal conservatism and integrated undergraduate-to-graduate theological education.
• Fuller Theological Seminary: Major evangelical seminary headquartered in Pasadena, California, offering M.Div., M.A., and doctoral programs with both on-campus and significant online enrollment. Comparable in California footprint, program breadth, and online scale.
• Asbury Theological Seminary: Multidenominational evangelical seminary with on-campus and significant online program delivery across M.Div., M.A., and doctoral degrees. Directly comparable in delivery model and evangelical Wesleyan-Arminian-leaning identity.
• Dallas Theological Seminary: One of the foremost evangelical theological seminaries in the US, offering M.Div., M.A., and D.Min. programs with a similar biblical-inerrancy stance and comparable online/on-campus delivery. Closely comparable in mission, doctrinal posture, and program stack.
• Moody Bible Institute / Moody Theological Seminary: Evangelical Bible-college-plus-seminary institution with biblical-inerrancy stance, online degree programs, and global student reach. Highly comparable in doctrinal identity and integrated undergraduate-graduate theological education.
• Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary: Multidenominational evangelical seminary offering M.Div., M.A., and doctoral programs across multiple US campuses and online. Highly comparable in doctrinal positioning and multidenominational ethos.
• Phoenix Seminary: Evangelical seminary in Scottsdale, Arizona, now being acquired by Biola University to be absorbed into Talbot. Closely comparable in mission and program offerings; the acquisition signals direct overlap.
• Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Trinity International University): Evangelical divinity school offering M.Div., M.A., and D.Min. programs with an evangelical, biblical-scholarship emphasis. Closely aligned with Talbot's theological identity and program structure.

Broad incumbents

• Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary: Large, established evangelical seminary offering comprehensive M.Div., M.A., and doctoral programs with on-campus and online options. Comparable in program breadth and theological tradition, though denominationally narrower.
• Liberty University (John W. Rawlings School of Divinity): Large private online university with a sizable evangelical seminary offering M.Div., M.A., D.Min., and doctoral programs at scale. Comparable in doctrinal conservatism but competes primarily on online scale and tuition value.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/talbotnews
• Facebookfacebook.com/Talbot-School-of-Theo
• Instagraminstagram.com/talbottheology
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/talbot-school-of-theology

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Talbot School of Theology