Selma University

Selma University is a private, historically Black Baptist university located in Selma, Alabama. Founded in the late nineteenth century, the institution has longstanding ties to the Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention and maintains a Christian-centered mission. Selma University primarily offers undergraduate and graduate programs with a strong emphasis on biblical studies, theology, religious education, and related disciplines, while also providing general education coursework. The university is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education. Students who are interested in ministry, church leadership, faith-based service, and community engagement are often drawn to Selma University’s academic programs and its historic campus setting in a city closely associated with the Civil Rights Movement.

Selma University was founded in 1878 in Selma, Alabama, as the Alabama Baptist Normal and Theological School. Established by African American Baptist leaders shortly after Reconstruction, the school was created to educate formerly enslaved individuals and train ministers and teachers. The first classes were held in a local Baptist church before the institution moved to the former Selma Fair Grounds. In 1881, it was incorporated by the Alabama legislature. Over time, Selma University expanded its academic offerings and facilities while maintaining its Baptist affiliation. In the late 1980s, Selma University became a four-year institution, reflecting broader curricular development. In the early 2000s, the university pursued and achieved accreditation from the Association for Biblical Higher Education. Throughout its history, Selma University has remained rooted in its religious mission while adapting to changing educational standards and the evolving needs of its students.