SBC satellite campus explosion

==I don't keep up with the cooperative program, so I can't say. However I believe at least part of the reason is the demand for easier access to degree programs/education. Schools, secular and Christian, are looking for ways to take education to their people instead of forcing people to up-root their lives to attend school. The result is more online programs, satellite campuses,evening degree programs, and less worrying about "geographic territories".

I would say that at least part of the reason you are seeing an explosion of satellite campuses is...

(a) They have discovered that they can offer such programs without sacrificing a quality education.

(b) They are witnessing the enrollment growth at schools that offer such programs, and the SBC schools certainly don't wish to be left behind.

(c) Like any business, and seminaries are businesses, they realize that the schools can make money through such programs.

 

I think the expense of operating extension programs a decade or so ago has probably turned into the financial benefit of operating them. Also, I think they experienced a decline in the enrolment of the "traditional" seminary student, the college graduate who enrolls full time in pursuit of a graduate degree for vocational ministry or mission service. Now, they are looking at a lot of non-traditional students, pastors and church leaders already serving in the field who want to take courses, part-time studies, Bachelor's degrees and such. Cost may also be a factor, particularly when students are looking at their choices. I teach a college Sunday School class, and I'd guess that the majority of my students would prefer to attend a seminary here in Nashville, even if it belonged to another denomination, rather than relocate to Louisville or New Orleans or Raleigh. I know some who have done that. Most of my class is made up of Nashville residents who chose to stay here and go to college rather than move out of town, so I guess a local seminary would have the same appeal.

 

Typically, extension campuses are revenue producers. I would imagine that is also the case with seminary extension campuses. There are colleges who use the revenue generated by off-site centers to offset the rising costs of healthcare and technology on their main campuses. I don't know if the CP funding formula is based on total headcount or FTEs. If it is based on total head count, then I would look for the continued expansion of our seminaries' off-site programs.

I don't know about the whole "territory" thing. I figure its not that big of a deal unless a seminary opens a center in another seminary's home state. For example, SWBTS at Lake Charles, NOBTS at Greensboro, SBTS in St. Louis, etc. would probably be bad ideas. But I don't really see a problem with them "competing" for students in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, etc.