History, Affiliations and Rankings

Dallas Baptist University is a Christian Liberal Arts University which was founded in 1898 as the Decatur Baptist College, becoming Texas’ first junior college. The first class with over over 900 students was offered in 1965. The University got its present name in the year 1985 and also witnessed a change in its structure. This university is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Decatur Baptist College, DBU's precursor, was established in 1898 as Texas' first junior college. For many years, the school was located in the little town of Decatur, where it produced excellent young men and women who worked in churches, classrooms, hospitals, and companies around the country. The school moved to the picturesque foothills of southwest Dallas in 1965, becoming a four-year college and later renaming itself Dallas Baptist University when it began providing graduate-level degrees. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has accredited Dallas Baptist University to grant associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. According to the US News and World Report 2022, the university is ranked #288 in the National Universities category. 

Infrastructure, Campuses and Courses

Despite its position in the flourishing urban metropolis of Dallas/Fort Worth, which has a population of more than 7 million people, Dallas Baptist University's 368-acre campus appears secluded in its scenic, hill-country setting and offers the opportunity to be a part of a small community. The school is only 13 miles from downtown Dallas and 29 miles from downtown Fort Worth, and it is centrally positioned near Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Love Field, providing easy access to both cities. DBU is a fantastic destination to spend your university years. Currently, this university operates on three campuses located in Dallas, Plano and Hurst. The university offers a small community to enjoy and grow with. It provides the perfect place to enjoy your university years. There are some off-campus sites too and a North area which is the regional academic centre too. Dallas Baptist University offers undergraduate and graduate courses in classrooms at local organisations and select school districts in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Many of the courses required for undergraduate and graduate programmes are available on these websites. Off-campus locations are classified as either open or closed. Open sites are open to all DBU students, but closed sites are exclusively open to employees of the site or district where classes are placed. At this university, more than 120 programs are provided at the Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral levels. Programs are offered across 8 Colleges of specialization, namely, Business, Christian Faith, Education, Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Leadership and the Graduate School of Ministry. 

Accomplishments and Alumni

The university measures its accomplishments and success by measuring the success of its students. Currently, it has established a first-to-second year retention rate of 70% and aims to take it up to 78%-80%. Another measurement factor is the overall graduation rate. The current graduation rate of Dallas Baptist is 53% and the university aims to take it to 60%-63% by the year 2024. The Dorothy M. Bush College of Education at Dallas Baptist University is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the sole national accrediting body for educator preparation providers in the United States and internationally with programmes leading to certification/licensure, bachelor's, master's, post-baccalaureate, and doctoral degrees. CAEP certification confirms that DBU's undergraduate education programme meets the requirements established by organisations representing the academic community, professionals, and other stakeholders. Dallas Baptist University's Educator Preparation Program is also accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) to prepare, train, and recommend candidates for certification as a teacher, school counsellor, diagnostician, reading specialist, principal, and superintendent. Dallas Baptist University's business programmes are nationally accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Some of the notable graduates of this university are, Baseball players Vic Black, Freddy Sanchez, Scott Mullen, Michael Jason, and David O’Neal Brown (Former Chief of the Dallas Police Department) and Kari Jobe (Christian Music Artist) among others.

Student Diversity and Visiting Companies

The university has a student population of around 3,000 students. Out of this total, around 700 are international and come from more than 50 different countries. In this, around 400 are undergraduates and 300 are pursuing post-graduation. Dallas Baptist University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,874 students (fall 2020), with 42 percent male students and 58 percent female students. At this university, 67 percent of students reside in college-owned, operated, or related housing, while 33 percent live off campus. In sports, Dallas Baptist University is part of the NCAA II. The full-time DBU undergraduate population is made up of 58% women, and 42% men. About 59% of full-time grad students are women, and 41% men.The University has a dedicated Career Services department that assists students in finding internships, and placements, interview preparation, by organizing frequent Career Expos, Etiquette Dinners and workshops. AT&T, Lockheed Martin, McKessen, Microsoft, Deloitte, Oracle and other multinational companies recruit graduates from Dallas Baptist.