Not to be confused with Southeastern University of the Health Sciences, now Nova Southeastern University

Nova Southeastern University

Nova Southeastern University, commonly referred to as NSU or Nova, is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian, research university located in Broward County, Florida, with its main campus in the town of Davie...

 in Davie, Florida.

Southeastern University is a private

Private school

Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...

 Christian

Christian

A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...

 liberal arts university located in Lakeland, Florida

Lakeland, Florida

Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...

, USA. It was established in 1935 in New Brockton, Alabama

New Brockton, Alabama

New Brockton is a town in Coffee County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,250. The community was named for Huey E. Brock, settler.New Brockton is part of the Enterprise–Ozark Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...

 as a Bible

Bible

The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...

 college, relocated to Lakeland in 1946, and became a liberal arts

Liberal arts

The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...

 college in 1970. The school has four colleges and is the largest Assemblies of God

Assemblies of God

The Assemblies of God , officially the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, is a group of over 140 autonomous but loosely-associated national groupings of churches which together form the world's largest Pentecostal denomination...

 educational institution in the United States. The university offers 45 bachelor's degrees and ten master's degrees.

History

Southeastern University was founded in 1935 by Assemblies of God Alabama District Superintendent J.C. Thames and other Southeastern district leaders as the South-Eastern Bible Institute. Originally located in a former high school building in New Brockton, Alabama, SEBI opened its doors to students on November 4, 1935, under the direction of four faculty members. Edgar W. Bethany, Karl M. Gygax, Helen B. Stewart, and Myrtle G. Eason composed the original faculty. Two years later, in June, the first graduation exercises were held. Seventeen students received diplomas for the two-year academic program.

SEBI continued classes in New Brockton until 1940 when a decision was made to consolidate the school with Beulah Heights Bible Institute in Atlanta, Georgia. The school was known from 1940 to 1942 as the Beulah Heights—South-Eastern Bible Institute. In the fall of 1942, the district superintendents of the Southeastern districts accepted the invitation of the Rev. Ralph Byrd and his congregation to move the school to another location in Atlanta. For two years, Byrd served the school, without remuneration, as principal and business manager. In 1946, the school’s board of directors voted to secure a permanent location for the full development of the school. A new campus location was purchased later that year in Lakeland, Florida. The Atlanta campus was sold, and development of the new site began. Student body growth continued at the new central Florida campus along with the academic program.

SEBI became South-Eastern Bible College in 1956 when the school began offering four-year, bachelor’s degree programs. After adding education degrees, the college’s board of directors changed the school name to Southeastern College of the Assemblies of God. In 1986, Southeastern was granted regional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Accreditation was reaffirmed in 1991 and 2001. In 2005, Southeastern College officially became Southeastern University, and began offering its first master’s degree programs, and formed the colleges of arts and sciences, business, Christian ministries and religion, and education.

What began in 1935 as a Bible-training school is now the largest Assemblies of God educational institution in the U.S., producing Christian leaders in church ministries, education, medicine, law, business, communication, psychology, social work, literature, and music.

Admission

In the 2010-11 academic year, enrollment totaled 2,867 students. 41% are male , 59% female. Appromately 70% of students live on campus. Students come from a variety of denominations, though approximately 31% are from an Assemblies of God background.

Academics

Southeastern University is organized into four colleges. The College of Arts & Sciences houses the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Department of Communication, Department of English & Foreign Languages, Department of Music, and Department of Natural Sciences & Mathematics. The other three colleges are the College of Business & Legal Studies, the College of Education, and the College of Christian Ministries & Religion. The university also maintains a Division of Continuing and Adult Education and a study-abroad program in Israel

Israel

The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...

 based at the George O. Wood

George O. Wood

George O. Wood is an American Pentecostal minister. Since August 2007, he has been the General Superintendent of the General Council of the Assemblies of God in the United States of America and has been Chairman of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, the largest Pentecostal denomination in the...

 Jerusalem Studies Center.

Southeastern University offers 45 majors leading to the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees. In addition to these, the university also offers ten master's degrees.The school is the largest Assemblies of God educational institution of higher learning in the United States.

College of Arts & Sciences

Southeastern's College of Arts and Sciences prepares students for accomplished lives by strengthening their research, analytical and writing skills as they complete the university’s core, liberal arts curriculum. The liberal studies helps a student develop a wide breadth of understanding in a multitude of subjects. After exposure to an academic or professional subject through the College of Arts and Sciences, a student may choose to major in a discipline rooted in one of its five departments.

Department of Behavioral & Social Sciences

Southeastern University's Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences prepares students for careers in counseling, the social services and other fields—or for further study in graduate school. Majors offered include social work, psychology and counseling psychology. In addition to fulfilling major requirements, behavioral and social science classes may be woven into minors in psychology, Christian counseling, sociology, social services, or special education/disabled populations.

Department of Communication

Hands-on training through Southeastern’s Department of Communication equips students for inspired, professional, and responsible service in broadcasting, journalism, public relations, film studies, and theatre. Communication students at Southeastern gain experience using state-of-the-art broadcasting equipment. The university's vibrant Christian community supplies students with endless story ideas for the campus newspaper, The Southeastern Times. Plays and musicals provide theatre majors with a regular stage where they can hone their craft in the spotlight or behind the scenes. Film majors can screen their films at our annual 180 Film Festival and Southeastern's RAW TV gives students experience in producing a nationally televised talk show.

Department of English & Foreign Languages

Southeastern’s Department of English and Foreign Languages promotes interpersonal and cross-cultural understanding by teaching literature, writing and speaking. Students may major in English, or English and Intercultural Studies, and minor in Spanish, French, or Greek. The department also offers courses in Hebrew and foreign language literature's.

Department of Music

Southeastern’s Department of Music offers challenging technical training and instruction in music theory and history to the serious performing musician. Students may major in Music, Music Performance or Church Music, or earn a degree in Music Education through additional studies in Southeastern’s College of Education. Southeastern also is one of the first schools of its size to offer a substantial jazz studies program, which includes instruction in jazz theory, history, and performance. Students must audition to become a music major at Southeastern.

Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

The Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics teaches students about the beauty, purpose and intricacies of nature but also explores the ethical and moral dilemmas that often accompany scientific discovery. Students may study and major in biology, biology/pre-med or mathematics through the department.

College of Business and Legal Studies

Southeastern's College of Business and Legal Studies is composed of the Department of Business Administration and Department of Historical, Legal, and Leadership Studies. Both departments equip students to become ethical, skillful, and internationally astute leaders--whether they pursue careers in business, government, the academy, or non-profits. In addition, students pursuing majors in the Department of Business Administration or Department of Historical, Legal, and Leadership Studies benefit from the synergies that exist--and have existed historically--between business, law, economics, and public policy.

Department of Business Administration

The Department of Business Administration is dedicated to providing high-quality, relevant, and global learning experiences that emphasize moral and ethical practices within a Christ-centered environment. The Department of Business Administration prepares students with technical knowledge, essential skills, and leadership abilities that enable them to succeed in their professional and personal lives. Southeastern University is committed to serving God and its stakeholders through stewardship, leadership and scholarship.

Southeastern's business programs are marked by rigor and insightful instruction by professors who are both practitioners and scholars within their fields. Students in the Department of Business Administration can major in accounting, finance, international business, management, management information systems, and marketing. The department offers one-year, 16-month, and two-year MBA programs, and an online MBA program. In addition, the department offers the fifth year of credits accounting majors need to become Certified Public Accountants.

Southeastern University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), located in Olathe, Kansas. The business programs in the following degrees are accredited by the IACBE:

* Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting
* Bachelor of Science degree in Finance
* Bachelor of Science degree in Leadership
* Bachelor of Science degree in Management
* Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing

Department of Historical, Legal, and Leadership Studies

Southeastern’s Department of Historical, Legal, and Leadership Studies shows students how to study history, public policy, criminal justice, and leadership from a Christian perspective, and how to promote Biblical values through these fields. Graduates of our history program can pursue careers in history and other fields that value critical thinkers. Our public policy majors learn how to develop and implement public policies that reflect Christian values. Students who major in criminal justice are equipped for careers in law enforcement, as well as future study in law school. And our leadership grads are trained to lead in companies, churches, and other organizations, by serving in the spirit of Christ. The Department of Historical, Legal, and Leadership Studies —through its Pre-Law Track—also educates students in the fundamentals of law and prepares them for the rigors of law school.

College of Education

Southeastern’s College of Education trains students to equip children for success in school and beyond. Students may specialize in teaching elementary grades, or a subject in higher grades, including: math, science, social studies, and English. Students may also major in music education, Exceptional Student Education (ESE), or sport and recreation management. The university's graduate programs, which are all offered online, include Master of Education degrees in elementary education, educational leadership, and teaching and learning.

College of Christian Ministries & Religion

Southeastern, which has a 70-year heritage of training pastors, missionaries and other church workers, offers undergraduate programs in church ministries and a Master of Arts degree in Ministerial Leadership. As an undergraduate Church Ministries major, a student may choose from among eight concentrations that range from pastoral to youth ministry.

Resident life

Aventura Hall (Spanish for "Adventure") - Female housing 2- and 4-bedroom suites.

Bauer Hall - Communal male housing.

Bethany Hall - Communal female housing.

Destino Hall (Spanish for "Destiny") - Male housing 2- and 4-bedroom suites.

Esperanza Hall (Spanish for "Hope") - Female housing 2- and 4-bedroom suites.

South Pointe - Male/Female housing featuring 1- and 2-bedroom apartments that accommodate 3 and 4 students respectively.

Valencia - Male/Female housing featuring 1- and 2-bedroom apartments that accommodate 3 and 4 students respectively.

Buttercup - Female housing featuring 2- and 3-bedroom houses that accommodate 3 to 5 students.

National Leadership Forum

Held annually on the university's Lakeland, Fla., campus, the National Leadership Forum teaches the servant leadership

Servant leadership

Servant leadership is a philosophy and practice of leadership, coined and defined by Robert K. Greenleaf and supported by many leadership and management writers such as James Autry, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Peter Block, Peter Senge, Max DePree, Scott Greenberg, Larry Spears, Margaret...

 concept in the academic, business, and church communities. Notable speakers previously hosted by the Forum include former President George W. Bush

George W. Bush

George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....

 and former First Lady Laura Bush

Laura Bush

Laura Lane Welch Bush is the wife of the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush. She was the First Lady of the United States from January 20, 2001, to January 20, 2009. She has held a love of books and reading since childhood and her life and education have reflected that interest...

, Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer is a Charismatic Christian author and speaker. Meyer and her husband Dave have four grown children, and live outside St. Louis, Missouri. Her ministry is headquartered in the St. Louis suburb of Fenton, Missouri.-Early life:Meyer was born Pauline Joyce Hutchison in south St. Louis in...

, Gen. Colin L. Powell, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush

Jeb Bush

John Ellis "Jeb" Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. He is a prominent member of the Bush family: the second son of former President George H. W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush; the younger brother of former President George W...

, Tommy Barnett, Jack Welch

Jack Welch

John Francis "Jack" Welch, Jr. is an American chemical engineer, business executive, and author. He was Chairman and CEO of General Electric between 1981 and 2001...

, Tony Dungy

Tony Dungy

Anthony Kevin "Tony" Dungy [DUN-jee] is a former professional American football player and coach in the National Football League. Dungy was head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996 to 2001, and head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2002 to 2008...

, TD Jakes, Craig Groeschel

Craig Groeschel

Craig Groeschel is the founder and senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv, a church with fourteen locations in five states. He is married with six children and lives in Edmond, Oklahoma, a suburb of Oklahoma City, where LifeChurch.tv is based....

, Ken Blanchard

Ken Blanchard

Kenneth Hartley Blanchard is an American author and management expert. His book The One Minute Manager has sold over 13 million copies and has been translated into 37 languages...

, Erwin McManus, Patrick Lencioni

Patrick Lencioni

Patrick Lencioni is a New York Times best-selling author, speaker, consultant and founder and president of , a firm dedicated to helping organizations become healthy. Lencioni’s ideas around leadership, teamwork and employee engagement have impacted organizations around the globe...

, Bill Hybels

Bill Hybels

William Hybels is the founding and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, one of the most attended churches in North America, with an average attendance of nearly 24,000 as of 2011...

, Bill George

Bill George

William J. George was a professional football player, playing linebacker, for the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Rams....

, Henry Cloud

Henry Cloud

Henry Cloud is a clinical psychologist with broad experience in private practice, leadership consulting, and media...

, Dave Ramsey

Dave Ramsey

David L. Ramsey III is an American financial author, radio host, television personality, and motivational speaker.Ramsey's syndicated radio program The Dave Ramsey Show is promoted with a tagline that "It's about your life and your money," and it is heard on over 450 radio stations throughout the...

, Tim Sanders

Tim Sanders

Tim Sanders is a New York Times bestselling author, public speaker, and former Yahoo! executive. He joined Yahoo! through the acquisition of Mark Cuban's Broadcast.com in 1999. After arriving at Yahoo!, Sanders created and led the "ValueLab," an internal group dedicated to providing insight into...

, Ed Young, Jr., Tony Evans

Tony Evans

Tony Evans is a Christian pastor and a widely-syndicated radio broadcaster in the United States.Dr. Evans serves as Senior Pastor to the over 8,000 member Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, which was founded in 1976 with 10 members meeting at his home...

, Megyn Kelly

Megyn Kelly

Megyn Marie Kelly , formerly known as Megyn Kendall, is an American journalist and news anchor employed by the Fox News Channel. Kelly currently hosts America Live from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST live from the network’s New York City headquarters...

, and Wayne Cordeiro

Wayne Cordeiro

Wayne Cordeiro is Founder and Senior Pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu, Hawaii.- Biography :Cordeiro was born in Fort Belvoir, Virginia...

.

The 2011 National Leadership Forum was held March 8-10. Speakers included former President George W. Bush

George W. Bush

George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....

; former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice is an American political scientist and diplomat. She served as the 66th United States Secretary of State, and was the second person to hold that office in the administration of President George W. Bush...

; Franklin Graham

Franklin Graham

William Franklin Graham III , known publicly as Franklin Graham, is an American Christian evangelist and missionary. He is the president and CEO of both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the international Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse.He currently lives in Boone,...

; Dan Cathy; Kurt Warner

Kurt Warner

Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...

; and David Gergen

David Gergen

David Richmond Gergen is an American political consultant and former presidential advisor who served during the administrations of Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Clinton. He is currently Director of the Center for Public Leadership and a professor of public service at Harvard Kennedy School. Gergen is...

.

Athletics

Southeastern University competes in Division I of the National Christian College Athletic Association

National Christian College Athletic Association

The National Christian College Athletic Association is an association of approximately 100 Christian universities, colleges, and Bible colleges in the United States and Canada which see collegiate sports primarily as an opportunity for Christian fellowship and ministry. The national headquarters...

 after recently transitioning from Division II. The school is also associated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...

 and is a member of the Sun Conference. The university fields teams in men's and women's basketball, men's baseball, men's golf, men's and women's soccer, women's tennis, women's volleyball, and co-ed cheerleading. Southeastern University has won Division II championships in all four men's sports and a Division I championship in men's golf. The school's teams are nicknamed "The Fire."

Notable alumni

External links

• www.seu.edu -- Official Web Site
• www.seuleadershipforum.com -- National Leadership Forum
• colleges.ag.org -- Assemblies of God Colleges and Universities