Centennial Timeline
A lot of incredible things has happened over the last 100 years at DTS. 6 uniquely and incredibly gifted Presidents have lead our seminary from 1924 until today. DTS has seen incredible times of growth with new degrees, locations and programs being added regularly. We invite you to experience some of the history for yourself!
1924 – 1933
1924 – Evangelical Theological College established
1925 – Lewis Sperry Chafer became first President of DTS
1926 – Doctrinal statement officially adopted
1927 – Davidson Hall, first permanent building, erected
1927 – Doctor of Theology (ThD) degree program initiated
1934 – 1951
1934 – First issue of Bibliotheca Sacra published on campus
1935 – Master of Theology (ThM) program started
1936 – Name changed to Dallas Theological Seminary and Graduate School of Theology
1952 – 1969
1952 – John F. Walvoord became second president
1953 – Chafer Chapel construction completed
1960 – Mosher Library erected
1969 – Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
1969 – Name changed to Dallas Theological Seminary
1970 – 1985
1970 – Summer School program launched
1970 – Master of Arts in Biblical Studies program
1980 – Doctor of Ministry program started
1981 – Master of Arts in Christian Education program started
1986 – 1989
1986 – Donald Campbell became third president
1986 – Center for Christian Leadership established
1987 – Master of Arts in Cross-Cultural Ministries program launched
1988 – San Antonio extension program established
1990 – 2000
1990 – DTS joins the Association of Theological Schools
1991 – Certificate of Graduate Studies program started
1992 – Christian Education in DMin program started
1993 – Houston and Chattanooga extension programs established
1993 – Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling launches
1993 – Master of Arts in Biblical Exegesis and Linguistics program launches
1993 – ThD nomenclature changed to PhD
1994 – Charles Swindoll became fourth president
1994 – Accredited by Association of Theological Schools
1999 – Reaffirmation of Accreditation with ATS for 10 years
1999 – Atlanta and Austin extension programs launch
2001 – 2005
2001 – Mark Bailey became fifth president
2002 – Swiss Tower student apartment complex completed
2003 – Reaffirmation of accreditation with both SACS and ATS for 10 years
2004 – Online education program launches
2004 – Approval by ATS to offer the full MACS degree at Atlanta and Austin extensions
2004 – Approval by ATS to offer the full MACS degree at Atlanta and Austin extensions
2004 – Chafer Chapel renovated
2005 – Campbell Academic Center renovated
2005 – Master of Arts in Media and Communication (MAMC) degree program
2005 – Approval by ATS to offer the full ThM and MACE programs in Houston
2006 – 2011
2006 – First online course in Chinese offered
2008 – Washington Hall single-student apartment complex completed
2008 – “Women in Ministry” DMin cohort established
2009 – “Marriage and Family” DMin cohort established
2009 – Certificate of Graduate Studies completion program for non-graduate alumni
2010 – Dedication of the Miller Prayer Chapel
2010 – Washington, DC extension program established
2011 – Master of Arts in Christian Leadership (MACL) offered
2012 – 2019
2013 – Fully approved online MABS degree
2013 – All students receive access to Logos Bible Software
2013 – Established Mobile Seminary program
2014 – Reaffirmation of accreditation with both SACSCOC and ATS for 10 years
2015 – Master of Biblical and Theological Studies program begun (MBTS)
2015 – The academic Master of Arts degree program (MA) with majors in Old Testament, New Testament, and Theological Studies begun
2015 – Master of Arts (Biblical Studies) renamed to Master of Arts (Christian Studies)
2016 – Passion Global Institute extension program established in Atlanta, GA
2016 – First online course in Spanish offered as part of DTS en Español initiative
2016 – Knoxville Extension relocated to Nashville
2020 – Current
2020 – Mark Yarbrough becomes the sixth president
2020 – Mark Yarbrough becomes the sixth president
2020 – Masters in Chaplaincy and Ministry Care (MACP)
2020 – Atlanta campus opens
2021 – Swiss Tower renamed Swindoll Tower
2021 – Master of Arts in Jewish Studies (MAJS)
2024 – DTS TURNS 100!