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About ETBU

At a Glance

Established

East Texas Baptist University was founded as the College of Marshall in 1912, later becoming East Texas Baptist College in 1944 and East Texas Baptist University in 1984.

Mission Statement

As a Christ-centered institution, East Texas Baptist University educates students by integrating biblical faith and learning to develop mind, body, and soul through community engagement to prepare graduates to be Christian servant leaders in their calling to God and humanity.  

University Theme Verse, Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to Him,
    and He will make your paths straight." 

Core Commitments

Embracing Faith 
Ensure the integration of biblical faith in curricular and co-curricular experiences including opportunities while embracing our Baptist heritage.
Engaging Minds 
Equip students through excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship to explore God's truth and provide the knowledge and skills for academic success, degree completion, employment opportunity, and lifelong learning.

Empowering Leaders 
Develop and deploy Christian Servant leaders for their callings to God and to humanity.

Enhancing Community 
Create an environment conducive to the development of the whole person through relevant facilities, resources, and services which allows a diverse and growing community to utilize their God-given gifts both locally and globally. 

Vision Statement

The vision of East Texas Baptist University is to stand boldly as a committed Christ-centered institution of higher learning. In light of the distinct calling to Christian education, the University seeks to inspire and impact students through the renewing of minds and the transformation of hearts for the cause of Christ. The primary focus of the ETBU educational experience is the development of the whole student – intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, socially, and physically – in an unwavering commitment to the transformation of mind, spirit, and body.

Faculty

ETBU currently employs 75 full-time faculty who are dedicated Christians who are committed to integrating faith in the classroom.

Student

Student to faculty ratio is 15:1 with an average undergraduate class size of 20.

East Texas Baptist University Seals

College of Marshall seal
College of Marshall
1912
ETBC seal
East Texas Baptist College
1944
ETBU seal
East Texas Baptist University
1984

Alumni

ETBU has conferred degrees upon 11,950 graduates since its inception in 1912. 

Motto

May the Light On the Hill Never Die

Programs

ETBU offers a variety of degree opportunities to equip you for your future career. With over 45 undergraduate programs and 15 graduate programs to choose from, ETBU connects individuals to their callings.

Accreditation

East Texas Baptist University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Questions about the accreditation of East Texas Baptist University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

The University is authorized to certify teachers under authorization of the Texas Education Agency and is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The ETBU Nursing Program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Board of Nursing for the State of Texas. The ETBU Clinical Lab Science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Laboratory Sciences.

Awards

  • #39 in Best Christian Colleges & Universities
  • #1 in Texas, ETBU School of Nursing by registerednursing.org and rncareers.org
  • #6 Top Christian Colleges and Universities in Texas
  • #34 Baccalaureate College Ranking
  • #50 50 Most Beautiful Christian Colleges And Universities
  • #5 Best College Dorms in Texas out of 67
  • #56 Best College Dorms in America out of 1,371
  • #14 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (tie)
  • #15 Best Regional Colleges West Rankings
  • #10 Best Value Schools (Regional Colleges West)
  • #84 Best Colleges for Religious Studies in America out of 197
  • Named as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation
  • Named one of the Most Beautiful Christian Colleges and Universities
  • Named as one of the Nation's Top Teacher Prep Programs for Early Reading Instruction

Mascot

The tiger mascot for ETBU is represented by brother and sister, "Toby" and "Tabby."

School Colors

PMS CMYK RGB HEX
Navy PMS 5395C C= 100
M= 71
Y= 39
K= 90
R= 9
G= 31
B= 44
#081F2C
Gold PMS 124C C= 00
M= 27.5
Y= 100
K= 6
R= 234
G= 170
B= 0
#EAAA00

School Logos

Primary Logo
Primary Logo
Spirit Logo
Spirit Logo
Electronic Campus Information

East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) is a member of the Southern Regional Education Board’s Electronic Campus. Navigate to the Electronic Campus page to find information for students who are potentially seeking admission to ETBU online programs through Electronic Campus.

Connect with ETBU
Other Important Information
  • Christian-focused education that emphasizes the integration of faith and learning.
  • Common for students to refer to ETBU as “home” rather than “school.”
  • 90% of full-time faculty have earned doctorates or terminal degrees.
  • Students are taught by faculty members, not graduate assistants.
  • Last year, ETBU students and faculty served through volunteering over 60,000 hours.
  • ETBU Nursing students achieved 100% pass rate of the National Council (Board of Nursing) Licensure Examination for 2017.  Additionally, our teacher education graduates’ pass rate for the state licensure exam (TExES) average over the last ten years is 95%.