Frequently Asked Questions
The College at Southwestern
Questions Concerning the Bachelor of Arts at CSW -
show all
1. What makes The College at Southwestern (CSW) Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) unique?
Answer: The College at Southwestern (CSW) baccalaureate degree is designed to equip the graduate to understand and engage the cultural climate of our day. The degree accomplishes this by introducing the student to the history and development of western thought, which shapes the culture. All students take a 60-hour core in History, Life and Thought that integrates class lecture with small group breakout sessions along with readings in primary and secondary literature of the period. This degree program also requires all students to complete a 24-hour course of study in Bible and theology with opportunities for focused research in those disciplines. Graduates of CSW will be uniquely prepared to address the culture from a sound and Biblical worldview. Beyond these requirements the degree also allows the student to choose a concentration in one of four areas (History of Ideas, Education, Music, and General Studies)
2. For whom is the CSW BA suited?
Answer: The CSW baccalaureate program is ideally suited for high school graduates who feel the Lord may be calling them to ministry. The degree presupposes that the student will be firmly committed to the Christian faith and open to God’s leadership as to his or her life’s work. The CSW BA is designed to equip the graduate to understand and engage our post-modern culture. This degree will also prepare the person who wishes to continue graduate studies at seminary.
3. Is this program essentially a philosophy major?
Answer: No. While the History, Life and Thought core of the BA does have a strong philosophical current it should not be misconstrued as a degree that focuses merely on the abstract. This program also requires a 24 hour biblical and theological component and affords each student the option of taking a concentration in areas of applied ministry such as music, education, or the history of ideas. The degree also requires two years (four semesters) of physical education, thus taking seriously the biblical principle of physical stewardship in ministry.
4. What is the tuition rate?
Answer: The tuition for the BA is $416.00 per semester hour for all students. However, because of the generosity of Southern Baptist churches, students who are members of a Southern Baptist church receive a Cooperative Program scholarship, which reduces the per hour tuition to $208.00. Students are also required to pay a $35.00 application fee and a student campus fee of $132.00 per semester. Depending on what courses a student may take at any given time other fees may apply.
5. What scholarships are available for the BA student?
Answer: All students who are members of a Southern Baptist Church benefit from the generosity of Southern Baptist churches that give through the Cooperative Program for the training of ministerial students. As such all Southern Baptist students receive a Cooperative Program scholarship that reduces their personal tuition cost by 50 percent from $416.00 to $208.00 per semester hour. Beyond the Cooperative Program scholarship, students can apply for other financial assistance by contacting the Financial Aid Office (ext. 3080). While CSW does not participate in any federal or state-funded student aid programs including PELL grants and Stafford loans, students are eligible to apply for repayment deferments for most federal or state educational loans incurred while attending other colleges and universities. Veterans enrolled at CSW may be eligible to receive VA benefits such as GI Bill and Tuition Assistance.
6. What kinds of things can I do to prepare for the program?
Answer: The successful student enrolled in the CSW BA will come prepared to embark in a fascinating yet rigorous learning experience. Students should generally cultivate a strong spiritual life, emotional stability, a healthy life-style, and a positive attitude towards learning. Students should specifically develop strengths in reading, reasoning, and writing skills. All incoming students are strongly encouraged to take the college preparatory track, or its equivalent, or honors program in their high school studies before enrolling at CSW. Students should be thoroughly comfortable with the use of a personal computer (all students will be required to own a personal computer).
7. What “concentrations” are available for study?
Answer: The sole major for Southwestern’s baccalaureate degree is in History, Life and Thought. However, within this program CSW offers four possible concentrations in the following areas: History of Ideas (15 hours), Education (15 hours), Music (30 hours), and General Studies (15 hours).
8. Will I have to take classes in sequence?
Answer: Yes. The History, Life and Thought major core of the CSW BA is truly unique and builds from the beginning to the end of the program. Because philosophical, political, social, scientific and other ideas grow out of earlier concepts the need for a historical sequence is self-evident. As such, students will gain the most benefit from taking these courses in proper sequence. Other courses in the curriculum may be taken at any time so long as any prerequisite course work is completed first when applicable.
9. If I miss a course in the sequence can I pick it up later?
Answer: Yes. However, students are encouraged to take the courses in proper sequence as these build a foundation for the courses that follow.
10. When do classes start?
Answer: Generally, CSW BA program will follow the same academic calendar as that of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. For welcome weekend, orientation and registration information please see CSW calendar at college.swbts.edu.
11. When do I register for classes?
Answer: A new baccalaureate student is required to participate in new student orientation and registration the week that classes begin, but the new student can also take advangtage of early advising and early registration to ensure they get the classes that they want. Returning students may take advantage of early registration as well (see schedule for dates).
12. Are the parents of students welcome at orientation?
Answer: Yes, parents are always welcome at CSW and are encouraged to be involved in their children’s education. During welcome weekend parents will have special sessions to address any questions and concerns they may have. Parents wishing to spend a day on campus can secure lodging at the Riley Smith Leadership Development Center. For reservations call 1-800-SWBTS-01.
13. Who is my academic advisor?
Answer: An academic advisor will be assigned to you at orientation. Also, you may be assigned a student leader who will be responsible for your campus orientation.
14. Will I be required to live on campus?
Answer: Freshmen students who are twenty years of age or under may live at home if it is within a fifty mile radius of CSW. Those students who do not live in the metroplex and are not married will be required to live on campus and enroll in the school meal plan during their freshman year. All students may apply for student housing throughout the course of their studies at CSW. Campus housing is well maintained and costs about 25 percent less than comparable apartments in the community. Students living on campus benefit from a convenient living location, reduced commute time, campus security, billing, and timely maintenance.
15. If I do choose to live on campus, when can I move in?
Answer: Generally, a student who has been approved for admission to CSW should contact the housing office to secure their housing and meal plan if applicable. See below for housing information:
Housing Office
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
P.O. Box 22480
Fort Worth, Texas 76122-0480
(817) 923-1921 ext. 2330
If you have not yet been approved for admission to CSW, you may obtain further housing information through the Admissions Office at:
Admissions Office
P.O. Box 22740
Ft. Worth, TX 76122-0740
(800) SWBTS-01
A $150 deposit is necessary to secure campus housing. For move in dates see CSW calendar at college.swbts.edu. Otherwise, click here to visit the Housing Office on our website.
16. How are residence hall assignments made?
Answer: Housing assignments are made by the Housing Office. CSW has both male and female single residence dorms available, as well as apartments and single family units. The housing office will take individual needs and reasonable requests into consideration when assigning living quarters for incoming students.
17. Am I required to purchase a meal plan?
Answer: Freshmen students who are twenty years of age or under may live at home if it is within a fifty mile radius of The College. Those students who do not live in the metroplex and are not married will be required to live on campus and enroll in the school meal plan during their freshman year. All students may apply for student housing throughout the course of their studies at The College. Campus housing is well maintained and costs about 25 percent less than comparable apartments in the community. Students living on campus benefit from a convenient living location, reduced commute time, campus security, billing, and timely maintenance.
The school meal plan will be available for purchase at the time the deposit is made for campus housing. Others may also elect to purchase the school meal plan. The school offers a variety of plans tailored to individual needs. The College insures that all meals will be nutritious, economical, and conveniently located in the Naylor Student Center Cafeteria. Anyone interested in purchasing a meal plan should contact Southwestern Dining Services, 1-800-SWBTS-01.
There are two meal plans available: the $1190 plan and $765 plan. They are available the first day of the semester and ends the last day of the semester. Remaining funds at the end of the semester are non-refundable. All of this information is included in the application the student completes in the housing office at the time of lease. Our dining plan allows students to purchase their meals individually, giving them more control over how their money is used. Once the dining plan account is funded, the dollar amount is then credited to the students’ Gold Card. The Gold Card then doubles as a debit card for on-campus dining.
18. Is there a charge for parking?
Answer: No. The school issues parking permits at no cost to all registered students with vehicles. You will receive a parking permit for each car you will be driving on campus at the Cashier’s Office when you register. All vehicles must have parking decals to park on campus or in campus housing areas.
19. Where should my parents and I park during orientation?
Answer: Family and incoming students should park in student perimeter parking.
20. How do I get my student ID?
Answer: Students approved for admission can have their ID made at the Gold Card office anytime after your approval or you may have it made at the time of registration.
21. How do I receive mail at CSW?
Answer: Residence hall students will receive a campus post office box number when they check in to the residence hall. On a space available basis, non-residence hall students may rent a box at the campus post office in the Naylor Student Center.
22. Can I transfer credit hours completed at another school?
Answer: Yes. All hours transferred into the BA are subject to transcript evaluation which should be accomplished prior to registration by requesting a transfer credit evaluation through the Admissions Office.
23. What if I am an International student?
Answer: The CSW BA degree is approved by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS). In addition to the requirements listed above, international students (F-1 visas) must also supply the following:
- Statement of financial support. The Bureau of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requires that a student on an F-1 visa provide evidence of adequate financial support during the duration of status as a student.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). All international students who are not citizens of the United States or a country where English is not their first language must take TOEFL and have the score sent to the Admissions Office. A minimum score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79 (internet-based) is required for undergraduate and master's levels. Students will also be required to provide a Test for Spoken English (TSE) score. The institution code for CSW is 6668.
- High School Transcript/Diploma Send an official high school transcript and/or copy of your diploma to the College at Southwestern.
- Immunization Form All incoming students under 20 must have the immunization form completed by a doctor and sent to the College at Southwestern.
- Transcript evaluation. All transcripts of undergraduate academic credit earned outside the United States must be evaluated by World Education Services, Inc. (www.wes.org). Undergraduate level students should request the "Course-by-Course" Report. The WES evaluation should be mailed directly from WES to the CSW's admission office.
- All applicants may send documents to:SWBTS Office, PO Box 22740, Fort Worth, TX 76122
24. Can an undergraduate student take graduate level courses to meet the B.A. requirements?
Answer: No. Baccalaureate students will need to take courses required for the program and electives from the undergraduate courses offered during any given semester.
25. Does CSW have chapel, and if so, will I be required to attend?
Answer: Yes. The chapel service at CSW is central to instilling the Christian qualities becoming to anyone seeking to serve the Lord in their life. CSW students will participate in the chapel services. Chapel services are regularly held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10:50 to11:50 a.m. unless otherwise posted. The services are held throughout the semester in Truett Auditorium. Guests and parents are always welcomed.
26. When can I purchase my textbooks?
Answer: You will have an opportunity to purchase textbooks as listed on the CSW calendar at college.swbts.edu. An estimate of cost will be provided so parents can make arrangements for payment in advance.
27. What tuition payment options are available?
Answer: At registration you will be able to select one of two payment options:
- Payment made in full by cash or check on the day you register.
- Payment made through on-line payment options, courtesy of E-cashier. New students may sign up for E-cashier payment options after registration.
28. Does CSW give credit for advanced placement (AP) courses and exams taken in High School?
Answer: CSW strongly recommends that prospective students take AP courses to prepare for their college studies. Students demonstrating an AP test/exam grade of 3 or better in certain AP subject areas may submit them for college credit. Only AP exams will be considered for possible credit and are subject to transcript evaluation. For more information contact the admissions office to request a transfer credit evaluation packet.
29. Is The College at Southwestern accredited?
