In the fall of 1924 the first student body of Dallas Theological Seminary met to study under the noted Bible teacher, Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer. This class of thirteen students was the result of Dr. Chafer’s burden and vision to found a seminary that would emphasize expository preaching and teaching of the Scriptures. In 1935 the Seminary pioneered the four-year Master of Theology (Th.M.) degree, which is a year longer than the three-year Master of Divinity (M.Div.) offered at most other seminaries. The Th.M. gives all the essential theological courses offered in a three-year curriculum with additional emphasis in systematic theology, Hebrew and Old Testament exegesis, Greek and New Testament exegesis, and Bible exposition. In 1974 the Seminary instituted the two-year Master of Arts (M.A.) program in Biblical Studies for students whose ministries would not require the in-depth language training of the Th.M. program. The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree was begun in 1980 to provide further pastoral training for seminary graduates to meet the changing demands of ministry. In 1982 the Seminary began the M.A. in Christian Education so students could receive specialized training for Christian ministries. In 1987 the M.A. program in Cross-cultural Ministries was inaugurated to give specialized missions training. In 1993 the Seminary launched a three-year M.A. in Biblical Counseling and a two-year M.A. in Biblical Exegesis and Linguistics. The latter program is offered jointly with the Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics located in south Dallas. Outstanding leadership and scholarly expertise have characterized the Seminary’s presidents: Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer (1924–52), Dr. John F. Walvoord (1952–86), Dr. Donald K. Campbell (1986–94), and Dr. Charles R. Swindoll (1994-2001), and Dr. Mark L. Bailey (2001–). Throughout the Seminary’s history it has steadfastly maintained its allegiance to biblical truth. A Doctrinal Statement articulates the beliefs of Dallas Seminary, and each year the faculty and members of the boards reaffirm their agreement with this statement.