Southeastern University: Transforming Minds, Engaging Culture

Southeastern University (SEU) is a Christian liberal arts university in Lakeland, Florida. Established in 1935 as Southeastern Bible Institute, it became a liberal arts college in 1970. The university now has 7,000 students and is the largest Assemblies of God educational institution in the United States. Southeastern University equips students to discover and develop their divine design to serve Christ and the world through Spirit-empowered life, learning and leadership.

SEU’s Mission Statement: “Southeastern University is a Christ-centered institution of higher learning. We are committed to equipping the next generation of leaders so that they can go into the world as influential servants in their careers and their communities.”

Leadership

Pastor Tommy Barnett is the Chancellor of Southeastern University, which named its ministry school the Barnett College of Ministry and Theology. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Pastor Barnett and his son Matthew are also well-known for having co-founded The Dream Center in Los Angeles, an inner-city church and outreach center that touches the lives of 50,000 people each month.

The leadership forum at SEU has hosted such notable speakers as Tommy Barnett, Jack Welch, Tony Dungy, TD Jakes, Craig Groeschel, Ken Blanchard, Joyce Meyer, George W. Bush, Laura Bush, Colin L. Powell, Jeb Bush, Sarah Palin, Condoleezza Rice, Erwin McManus, Patrick Lencioni, Bill George, Henry Cloud, Dave Ramsey, Tim Sanders, Ed Young, Jr., Tony Evans, Tim Tebow, Ben Carson, and Wayne Cordeiro.

Academics

Academics at Southeastern University combine a Christian education with the one-on-one support of professors, as is common at a small college, and the global opportunities available at a large, prestigious university.

Southeastern University is organized into six colleges. The College of Arts & Media houses the Department of Communication, Department of Humanities, and Department of Music. The other five colleges are the Jannetides College of Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership, the College of Education, the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the College of Christian Ministries and Religion, and the College of Natural and Health Sciences.

Southeastern University offers 55 majors leading to the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees, as well as 16 master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees. In addition, SEU Online is a full online program that offers more than 70 Christ-centered academic programs to choose from, ranging from the arts and business to ministry and more.

In the fall of 2013, Southeastern University launched their student debate program. They compete as members of the Florida Intercollegiate Forensics Association (FIFA), participating in both Lincoln-Douglas debate, Parliamentary debate, and British Parliamentary debate.

The Steelman Library serves as the academic library at Southeastern University. The library houses a Curriculum Lab that includes children’s materials and textbooks for education students. Steelman Library also supplies electronic access to the SPARC Catalog (library catalog), and research databases that include over 15,000 full text periodicals and 32,000 e-books.

Campus Life

The Southeastern University campus is located in sunny Lakeland, Florida, where students are treated to great weather and outdoor activities throughout the year. Lakeland is a vibrant community with a small-town feel and plenty of things to do. SEU is also within an hour’s drive of some of the nation’s best beaches, as well as theme parks such as Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Busch Gardens.

Southeastern University athletic teams are nicknamed the Fire and the school’s mascot is known as Scorch. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), competing in The Sun Conference, and associate members of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA).

Admissions

Southeastern University prides itself in being an exceptional college choice for homeschooled students, and part of their commitment to serving homeschooled families comes through the admission process. All undergraduate students are required to submit the following items:

  • High school transcript/GED scores (if transferring less than 60 college credits)
  • College transcript (if college courses have been taken through dual enrollment or after graduating high school, even if no credit was earned or grades received)
  • SAT and/or ACT scores (except for Evening and Online students)
  • Christian Character Reference
  • Essay

The important thing to mention here is that since many homeschoolers do not study under the umbrella of a local school district or a homeschooling agency, SEU permits you to create your own transcript of high school course work. Transcripts should include all courses taken in grades 9 through 12, with final grades and final cumulative GPA.

Homeschool Support

Southeastern University offers support services for students who require remedial academic courses during their first year, including an Early Start Summer Bridge program. For more details about academic support options, click here.

If you’re a high school student looking to get a head start on earning your college degree, dual enrollment at Southeastern University is an opportunity to earn college credit while also completing your high school requirements. SEU offers dual enrollment on the main campus, at local high schools, at partner sites, and online.

SEU further supports homeschoolers through a unique program that lets parents earn a masters degree while homeschooling! For more information about the Master of Arts degree offered in partnership with Classical Conversations, click here. (To learn more about the Classical Conversations homeschool program, click here.)

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