FAITH BASED DEGREES

HISTORY

In the early 1940s, a group of dedicated pastors recognized a pressing need: many ministers, often called to serve later in life, lacked formal college degrees yet needed advanced biblical training. In response, they established the Florida Baptist Institute in Lakeland in 1943. Renamed Baptist Bible Institute two years later, the school moved to Graceville in 1953 and came under the ownership of the Florida Baptist State Convention in 1957.

Originally focused on providing seminary-style education, the college steadily broadened its curriculum, introducing baccalaureate degrees in 1976 and associate degrees in 1988. This growth prompted a name change to Florida Baptist Theological College in 1988. In 1999, the college gained approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to offer its programs via distance education, leading to another name change in 2000 to The Baptist College of Florida. By 2010, it was offering graduate degrees and has since granted over 4,500 degrees to men and women serving worldwide. Today, under the leadership of its seventh president, Dr. Clayton P. Cloer, the institution moves forward as the Baptist University of Florida, honoring its rich heritage while equipping future Christian leaders.