College & Seminary
The Jackson Theological Seminary is owned and operated by the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Jackson Seminary is a positive expression of the vision and determination to produce and sustain great leaders. The seminary was established in 1886 and has served and will continue to serve as an effective guide to those aspiring to become leaders.
The African Methodist Episcopal Church decided to develop a theological institution for the development and religious education of both clergy and laypersons, to provide students with the opportunity to reflect on the Christian faith and its contemporary significance. Great leaders, in both religious and secular fields, have the Jackson Theological Seminary as part of their resume’s, for example Drs. Cecil and James Cone.
Jackson Seminary moved from several areas on the Shorter College campus. In 1998, Jackson moved from the F.C. James Building to its current location came under the direction and guidance of Bishop Fredric H. Talbot and Dean Colin M. Lambert. From 2000 to 2008 the Seminary was refurnished under the direction of Bishop Richard Allen Chappelle Sr., Dean James R. Hooper, and Dean Clarence Guy. The school’s growth, development and quality of instruction provided can be directly correlated to the direct support of the many bishops assigned to the 12th Episcopal District. There has been an increase in enrollment of both clergy and lay persons. The school has had a mixture of students over the past years from the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Church of God in Christ, and Baptist Church as well as African Methodist Episcopal.
Over the years, the course curriculum has evolved to provide courses in areas such as Teaching the Bible, Leadership in the AME Church Stewards and Trustees. These core courses brought about an increased interest in the school by the Lay as well as the reverend clergy of the AME Church. With the shift in academia, the school now offers a more comprehensive set of courses that provide students who matriculate at Jackson Seminary with a pre-existing Bachelor’s degree to a professional degree such as the Masters of Religious Education and the much sought after Masters of Divinity. The school reaches out to members of the community that have not yet had the opportunity to complete their Bachelors degrees to obtain core knowledge at the advanced levels with it’s offering in its certificate program whereby a non-degreed person may obtain a Certificate in Ministerial Studies. Students, who have received their Certificate, have the ability to retain these courses and apply them towards a Master’s degree upon their graduation from an undergraduate school.
With the support of the Episcopal office, the Seminary has been able to purchase the necessary equipment books and tools to increase its, accessibility and its functionality. The school has been able to automate its tracking of student progress, billing and accounts payable processes, greatly improving the status of the school. The school now has an internet presence that allows students and potential student to access vital information about the school and its location, seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Currently under the leadership of the Rt. Rev. Samuel L. Green, and Dean Clarence Boyd, the Seminary is pursuing state and regional accreditation. The Seminary has existed as a entity since the late 1800’s but now is entering into the 21st century completing the steps to get the school fully accredited. The school has filed with the Arkansas State Board of Private Career Education Department as another step towards it receiving its national accreditation. Several students and graduates have already had state and federal agencies accept the degrees and courses afforded to them from Jackson Theological Seminary. As of January 2007, the Seminary has made major repairs to its heating and cooling equipment, and has made noticeable additions to its number and quality of books in the library.
At Jackson Theological Seminary, we study, we play, we enjoy the community of the saints, our student work in congregations, all done to the glory and edification of God. At Jackson, lives are being transformed to provide training for the current and future leadership of our churches.
Shorter College, founded in 1886, by the African Methodist Episcopal Church, is the oldest institution of higher learning in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The College Complex is located on three-and one-half square blocks of land. The campus complex includes 8 buildings, 2 of which were constructed in the last 10 years.
Shorter College is home to students who come from the cities of Little Rock, North Little Rock and surrounding areas. The student body is diverse. The college caters to traditional students who are recent graduates, as well as non-traditional students who are returning to school after many years. A significant number of the students come for upgrading skill or a specific course.
