Tuition

Beeson offers competitive and affordable tuition to students. When compared with peer institutions, tuition and fees for the Beeson MDiv are 17.3% less. Average tuition and fees at 10 peer institutions* in 2023-24 was $21,376, compared with $17,676 at Beeson Divinity School.

*Peer institutions include: Asbury Theological Seminary, Covenant Theological Seminary, Denver Seminary, Duke Divinity School, Fuller Theological Seminary, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, Reformed Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry and George W. Truett Theological Seminary. Tuition data derived from 2023-24 Annual Data Table, the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.

The tuition rate for the 2024-25 academic year for full-time master’s degree students is $8,743 per semester. Full-time enrollment is 9-12 credit hours.

The tuition rate for students taking fewer than 9 credit hours or more than 12 credit hours is $832 per credit hour.

Fees

The university fee per semester (fall/spring) is $450. The university fee for an interterm or summer term is $285. Vehicle registration fee per semester is $30.

Deposit

Following a student's acceptance of an offer, Beeson requires a non-refundable $200 deposit as confirmation of the student's intention to enroll for the coming semester. The deposit will be applied toward the student's account upon enrollment.

*Waived for graduates of Samford University and for those who attend a preview day or an official campus visit.

**ThM students will pay the doctoral program per-credit-hour tuition rate for any PhD seminars in which they enroll. Additionally, the Ralph Waldo Beeson scholarship will be prorated for any full-time ThM students enrolled in less than 9 master’s-level credit hours during a fall or spring semester.

2024-2025 Estimated Cost of Attendance

Federal Student Aid

Current and prospective divinity students are highly encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for need-based aid programs such as federal work-study jobs and federal student loans.

Processing time for the FAFSA form is up to four weeks. The FAFSA report is necessary for all student loan programs available through Samford University.

If you have questions, please contact Samford OneStop at 205-726-2905.

All full-time master’s-level students (9-12 credit hours) at Beeson receive scholarship assistance due to the generosity of Mr. Beeson’s endowment.

Scholarships for MATS, MACC and ThM Students

Full-time students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS), Master of Arts in Christian Counseling (MACC) and Master of Theology (ThM) programs will receive the Ralph Waldo Beeson scholarship in the amount of $2,500 per semester.* The number of semesters the scholarship is awarded varies depending on the degree program.

*ThM students will pay the doctoral program per-credit-hour tuition rate for any PhD seminars in which they enroll. Additionally, the Ralph Waldo Beeson scholarship will be prorated for any full-time ThM students enrolled in less than 9 master’s-level credit hours during a fall or spring semester.

Scholarship Requirements for MDiv Students

The Beeson scholarships listed in the section below are designated for students enrolled full-time in Beeson’s flagship degree program, the Master of Divinity (MDiv).

A student’s application for admission to Beeson is also an application for scholarships. Therefore, students should present their best writing and recommendations in the application process.

The amount of MDiv scholarship assistance covers anywhere from 25% to 100% of the full-time tuition rate. On average, scholarships cover approximately half of the tuition cost for full-time students.

Tier one scholarships are the most competitive, covering anywhere from 55% to 100% of full-time tuition cost. Consideration for these scholarships requires an additional essay on the Apostles’ Creed.

To qualify for a tier one scholarship, students must have:

• An undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale)
• Strong Christian character and ministry leadership potential, demonstrated in previous roles of service in church and/or community
• Expressed commitment to enter vocational Christian service upon graduation

Applicants who complete all requirements by the priority deadline (Feb. 1 for fall entry, Sept. 1 for spring entry) will be considered first for admission and scholarship.

The admission and scholarship committee will review all applications. If necessary, finalists for tier one scholarships will be invited to an additional interview with members of the admission and scholarship committee.

Scholarships for MDiv Students

The following scholarships are awarded based on a student’s application to Beeson Divinity School's MDiv program and on the availability of scholarship funds.

*Denotes a tier one scholarship. See above for criteria.

*Leila Bryant Beaird and Mary Nell Beaird Medley Scholarship: This scholarship was established by a gift from the estate of Joe Nix Quin, a McWhorter School of Pharmacy graduate, in honor of his mother and aunt. He desired to use the resources God gave him to further the work of God’s Kingdom.

Beeson Advisory Board Annual and Endowed Scholarship: The board consists of men and women who are committed to the mission of Beeson Divinity School. This board supports the work of the faculty and administration of the school and, when called upon, provides advice, counsel and support for the school.

Beeson Divinity Alumni Scholarship Fund: This endowed scholarship was established by the first graduating class of Beeson Divinity School.

John Wesley Beeson Scholarship: Named after longtime Methodist minister and the father of Beeson’s founder, this endowed scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence when applying to Beeson Divinity School.

Ralph Waldo Beeson Scholarship: Named after Beeson’s founder and faithful Presbyterian layperson, this endowed scholarship is awarded to many full-time admitted students.

Brookwood Bryant Strain Divinity School Scholarship: This endowed scholarship was established in honor of the founding pastor of Brookwood Baptist Church.

Vaughn Burrell Scholarship: This scholarship was named for longtime Birmingham businessman Vaughn Burrell, who was an active member and leader in the First Nazarene Church of Birmingham.

Milton and Anne Chamberlain Scholarship: This scholarship was named in honor of the Chamberlains, who have been members of Shades Mountain Baptist Church for more than 40 years and who are passionate supporters of missions and missionaries.

Dan International Student Scholarship: This endowed scholarship was named for Rev. Emmanuel Titus Dan and his wife, Fulga Pascu Dan, who served as cross-cultural missionaries among Romanians in the United States and Australia. They served with the IMB of the SBC in their retirement. They are the parents of Dr. Stefana Dan Laing of Beeson Divinity School.

Dr. Reginald Calvert Racial Reconciliation Annual and Endowed Scholarship: This scholarship was initially established by a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Wilson in honor of Beeson alumnus and pastor Dr. Reginald Calvert.

Aletha Dawson Scholarship: This endowed scholarship was named for the late daughter-in-law of Rev. L. O. Dawson, the founding pastor of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church.

Day-Sanders Scholarship: This endowed scholarship was named for the mother and grandmother of retired Beeson professor, Dr. Norfleete Day.

*Dean’s Scholarship: This endowed scholarship is awarded to a select number of MDiv students who have an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale), demonstrate strong Christian character and ministry leadership potential through previous roles of service in church and/or community, and who have an expressed commitment to enter vocational Christian service upon graduation.

Lillian Payne Donahoo Scholarship: This endowed scholarship was established by J. W. Donahoo in honor of his late wife, Lillian Payne Donahoo.

Katherine M. Eakin, Phillip & Martha Inman Endowed Scholarship at Beeson Divinity School: This scholarship was established by Katherine Eakin in honor of Phillip & Martha Inman, supporters and friends of Beeson Divinity School.

Elaine Cook Annual Scholarship: This annual scholarship was given in honor of Elaine Cook by her husband and Beeson Divinity School alumnus, Darrell Cook.

Banks and Evelyn Farris Scholarship: This endowed scholarship was given in honor of Banks and Evelyn Farris. Mr. Farris was the vice president for Alabama Power.

Gary and Alta Faye Fenton Scholarship: This endowed scholarship was named for Dr. Gary D. Fenton, retired pastor of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham, and his wife, Alta Faye.

Claude Heard Ford Scholarship: This endowed scholarship was given in honor of Claude Heard Ford, MD by his wife.

Fullman-Trott Scholarship: This endowed scholarship was funded in honor of Mr. and Mrs. John Fullman and Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Trott by their nephew, Mr. Herschel H. Day.

*Timothy George Scholarship for Excellence: This endowed, full-tuition scholarship was named for the founding Dean of Beeson. It is usually awarded to one or two MDiv students annually. Recipient(s) must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale), demonstrate strong Christian character and ministry leadership potential through previous roles of service in church and/or community, and be preparing to serve in pastoral roles in a congregational context.

Mark Gignilliat Endowed Scholarship: This scholarship was named for Beeson Old Testament and Hebrew professor, Dr. Mark Gignilliat.

Rev. Robert Gladney, Jr. Scholarship: This endowed scholarship was named for Bob Gladney, former staff member at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama; First Baptist Tuscaloosa, Alabama; First Baptist Jackson, Mississippi; Springhill Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama; and Central Baptist in Decatur, Alabama.

*Lynn and Bill Hairston Annual Scholarship: This annual scholarship was named for Lynn and Bill Hairston, supporters and friends of Beeson Divinity School.

*Mary and Victor Hanson, III Beeson Divinity School Scholarship: This annual scholarship was established by Mary and Victor Hanson, longtime supporters and donors to Beeson Divinity School.

General Holle Military Chaplaincy Scholarship: This endowed scholarship was established in honor General Everett H. Holle for his outstanding leadership in the military and community.

Winfred Ann Turner Hull Scholarship: This endowed scholarship was given in honor of Mrs. Leland Hull, who served as very effective Bible teacher to groups of young mothers at St. Luke’s Episcopal, St. Peter’s Anglican and Cathedral of the Advent.

General James M. Hutchens Military Chaplaincy Scholarship: This annual scholarship was established in honor of General James M. Hutchens, the first chaplain wounded in Vietnam. He later was awarded the Purple Heart and two Bronze Star Medals for valor. By the time he retired in 1994, General Hutchens had earned the rank of Brigadier General.

Mathews-Thielman Scholarship: This endowed scholarship was established to honor two of the longer tenured professors at Beeson: Dr. Ken Mathews, retired professor of Old Testament, and Dr. Frank Thielman, professor of New Testament and Presbyterian Chair of Divinity.

F. Frederick Moss and Mary Della Moss Endowed International Scholarship in Biblical Theology and Applied Evangelism: This scholarship was named in memory of F. Frederick and Mary Della Moss, who were members of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church. While in the Navy, Frederick would conduct chapel services if a chaplain was not available. Both Fred and Mary Della were strong advocates of missions.

Dolores Emanuel Nation Endowed Scholarship: This scholarship was named in memory of the mother of Beeson alumnus Philip Nation, who serves as the vice president for Thomas Nelson Bibles at HarperCollins Christian Publishing.

Nancy Norton Scholarship: This endowed scholarship was established by Mr. John Norton in memory of his late wife, Nancy.

Dr. Patricia Outlaw Endowed Scholarship: This scholarship was named for retired Beeson professor Dr. Patricia Outlaw.

Joe Nix Quin Scholarships: This scholarship was named for Samford graduate and successful pharmacist, Joe Nix Quin.

Jennifer Davis Rash Scholarship: Jennifer is a Beeson graduate and has served on search committees for both the Beeson Dean and the Samford President. The scholarship was established on the 25^th anniversary of her employment at The Alabama Baptist, where she is now president and editor-in-chief.

James V. K. Ratliff Scholarship: This endowed scholarship was established by the family of Mr. Ratliff, a longtime Birmingham business leader and active member of Mountain Brook Baptist Church.

Redeemer Community Church Endowed Scholarship: This scholarship was established by the elders and members of Redeemer Community Church. First preference for this scholarship shall be given to members and staff members of the Redeemer. If no members or staff members of the church are eligible, then second preference shall be given to deserving students serving as ministers or missionaries.

Allen Ross Scholarship: This scholarship was given in honor of longtime professor of Old Testament, Dr. Allen Ross. The scholarship is awarded to a rising third year Beeson Divinity School student.

Schultz Family Endowed Scholarship: This scholarship was established by the Schultz family to help share with others what God has provided for their family and to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Antonio Smith Scholarship: This scholarship was named for the son of Dr. Robert Smith Jr., the Charles T. Carter Baptist Chair of Divinity and professor of Christian preaching at Beeson Divinity School, who retired in 2024.

*Robert Smith Jr. Scholarship: This scholarship was established in honor of longtime faculty member Dr. Robert Smith Jr. for his more than 20 years at Beeson and more than 50 years of preaching God’s Word.

Gregory Tippins Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship was established in memory of Dr. Gregory Tippins, who passed away after completing the requirements for the Doctor of Ministry degree. The Samford Board of Trustees granted the degree posthumously to his widow, Mrs. Wanda Tippins. Dr. Tippins was pastor of the Rising Star Baptist Church at the time of his death. The Tippins Scholarship was established by friends and family members.

Lucille Burgess Walls Endowed Scholarship: This scholarship was named in honor of the mother of James Walls, a friend of Beeson and attendee of Lay Academy.

Wesleyan Studies Scholarship: This scholarship was established by Methodist laypersons to assist students who are members of churches in the Wesleyan tradition and who are pursuing a Certificate in Wesleyan Studies at Beeson.

T. Andrew Westmoreland Scholarship: This scholarship was named in honor of the eighteenth president of Samford University, who was a strong supporter and advocate for Beeson Divinity School.

Roger Willmore Endowed Scholarship: This scholarship was given in honor of Dr. Roger Willmore, former Alabama pastor and Director of Missions for Calhoun County Baptist Association.

Woodward Scholarship: South Roebuck established and endowed this scholarship to help candidates for international missions. Students interested in missions should see the Director of Admission for more information.

Third Presbyterian Church of Birmingham Annual Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded each year to members of the ministerial staff of Third Presbyterian Church of Birmingham who are preparing for ministry in the Presbyterian Church of America.

St. Mary’s-on-the-Highlands Episcopal Church Annual Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to Episcopalian and Anglican students preparing for ministry at Beeson Divinity School.

Sue Meadows Auchmuty Endowed Scholarship: This scholarship was established in memory of Mrs. Auchmuty by her husband, Dr. Jim Auchmuty, and their three children.

South Highland Presbyterian Church of Birmingham Endowed Scholarship: This scholarship was established by South Highland Presbyterian Church.

The Cecelia Walker Baptist Health System Foundation Endowed Scholarship: This scholarship is funded by the Baptist Health System Foundation in honor of Dr. Cecelia Walker, Beeson alumna and Samford University trustee, in honor of her years of service to the state’s hospitals through chaplaincy.

The Wayne and Mary Splawn Endowed Scholarship: This endowed scholarship is given in honor of Beeson alumni Dr. Wayne and Mary Splawn by Mountain Brook Baptist Church/James D. Moebes Foundation. Dr. Splawn is the Senior Pastor and Mary is the Minister of Connection at Mountain Brook Baptist Church.

The tuition rate for the PhD program is $918 per credit hour (2024-25). Students will be billed on a program fee basis, at the rate of 3.5 credit hours per term enrolled, for a maximum of 12 terms (3.5 credit hours x 12 terms = 42 credit hours). A continuation fee of $1,000 will be charged for each additional term of enrollment beyond the 12.

The program fee will be calculated using the tuition rate in place in a student's first term of enrollment. The program fee will not change if a student maintains continuous enrollment throughout the program. If a student does not maintain continuous enrollment, the balance of the program fee will be recalculated using the per-credit tuition rate in place at the time he or she resumes enrollment.

Students will pay applicable university fees charged to doctoral students. For 2024-25, the university fee is $450 for fall and spring terms and $285 for summer/interterms.

Students will pay a dissertation fee of $500 in the term in which the dissertation is submitted and the oral defense conducted, to offset costs for proofreading and binding.

*Waived for graduates of Beeson Divinity School

Graduate Estimated Cost of Attendance