Andersonville Theological Seminary


Andersonville Theological Seminary is a private evangelical Christian seminary located in Camilla, Georgia. The seminary offers both undergraduate and graduate level degree programs and its primary focuses is to train missionaries, evangelists, preachers, Christian professionals and teachers. The seminary was founded in 1981 as a coeducational institution, and today has more than 7,000 enrolled students, and over 30,000 graduates.

History

Andersonville Theological Seminary has roots dating back to 1981 when Dr. Jimmy Hayes founded the Andersonville Baptist Seminary. During the seminary's registration with the State of Georgia, they classified Andersonville as a non-profit Christian seminary and the Internal Revenue Service registered the seminary as a 501 organization. The founder sought to create a seminary that could offer a practical Christian training program with affordable tuition costs.
In the 2000s the school officially changed its name to Andersonville Theological Seminary and increased their degree offerings. Since the founding of the seminary they have used the King James Version of the Bible. The school's foundation stems from an evangelical Baptist tradition and still lists these positions in their existing published Doctrinal Statement.
Baptist students and faculty account for the largest denominational group at the seminary. However, many students and faculty are either Non-denominational Christian or come from another protestant denomination.

Student Body

As of 2019 the students come from 24 foreign countries and all 50 states and the student body is theologically, culturally, and denominationally diverse. ATS has adult students who are currently serving in church positions and also has adults who are working full-time and are also pursuing first or second degrees.

Governance

ATS is currently governed by a board of trustees and the chair is Chris Moore. Jimmy Hayes is the current president of the seminary. The trustees for the seminary administers policy, and serve as Andersonville Theological Seminary's final authority and legal entity. The trustees are also responsible for ensuring resources are being used productively and in a well-organized manner.

Geographical location

Andersonville Theological Seminary is located approximately south of Albany, Georgia and approximately north of Tallahassee, Florida.
which is in Mitchell County.
The seminary is located in Southwest Georgia, and has two administrative buildings which are located in the city of Camilla which comprise its headquarters. Camilla is in Mitchell County, Georgia, in the United States and is known for its historical traditions, southern architecture, and agriculture.

Academics

Academic programs

Every degree offered is designed, checked for quality, reviewed, and approved by the Board of Trustees. As of 2019 Andersonville Theological Seminary authorizes three degree types at the undergraduate degree levels and six degree types at the graduate degree levels.
Academic Levels
Degrees Offered
AssociateAssociate of Biblical Studies
BachelorBachelor of Theology
Bachelor of Ministry
MastersMaster of Biblical Studies
Master of Theology
Master of Ministry
Master of Divinity
DoctorateDoctor of Theology
Doctor of Ministry

Andersonville has been recognized as being theologically conservative. ATS offers a pedagogy that focuses on both theology and biblical studies for the Christian education that they provide. Most ATS students attend the seminary in order to prepare for a career in the ministry of Christianity. ATS courses are all Bible-centred.
The seminary primarily offers instruction through textbooks and by using class lectures that have been recorded on audio MP3 files. The seminary is affiliated with the Institute of Theological Studies. As an affiliate, ATS can offer courses from ITS by way of audio MP3 format. The seminary announced that they are working to convert select courses from distance-education courses to fully online interactive courses. With the exception of the Counseling Programs, all other degrees allow the student to advance at their own pace. ATS degrees in Counseling and Education do not meet licensure requirements in any state but may be able to work under a religious exemption in the performance of their duties.
Starting in 2020 graduate students are now able to attend on-site courses offered in Mitchell County at the Andersonville Theological Seminary site in Camilla, Georgia.

Admissions

Admissions to the associate degree program require the applicant to have a high school diploma or have something equivalent like the General Education Development Credential or IB Diploma. Those applying to a Bachelor degree program must have completed an associate degree or completed sixty credit hours of collegiate level coursework. Admission to graduate studies varies by the degree program.

National Christian Counselors Association

ATS has formed a Christian counseling program with the National Christian Counselors Association. The NCCA is a Christian organization that issues faith-based licenses and certifications to pastoral counselors and are not recognized in any state to perform secular counseling services.

Graduating with Honors

ATS has a traditional grading system for coursework completed. The seminary does not rank students but instead uses a four-point Grade Point Average scale.
The seminary offers ATS graduates the opportunity to achieve honors and distinction at the time of their graduation from their degree program.
The school is an autonomous seminary and thus does not appear in national or global rankings for colleges and universities.

Colors and Mascot

Andersonville's colors are slate blue, red, and white. In addition, the official ATS mascot is the crusader.

Affiliations and Recognition

In the seminary's 39-year history, ATS alumni and faculty are leading in missions and ministry of the Baptist Church and other Christian churches and organizations, in academia, spiritual instruction, in service to the public, and as professionals.
ATS has produced over 30,000 graduates since being founded and has an active alumni organization for the seminary. The organization assists the seminary through events, programs, and services targeted at friends of the seminary and ATS alumni. Every year ATS conducts its annual commencement at the Albany Municipal Auditorium. Alumni may purchase class rings and diploma frames from the memorabilia company Jostens, and alumni shirts, computer cases, and coffee mugs from Logosoftware which serves as the official ATS Online store.

Media

ATS offers a monthly online newsletter with the latest news and changes for the seminary. In addition, upcoming dates such as commencement and career opportunities are also included. The newsletter is for students, alumni, and supporters of the seminary. The newsletters used to be on the seminary's website, but now they are sent via email to their mailing list.

Notable alumni