Baptist House of Studies | Union Presbyterian Seminary

A group of graduates in academic regalia, including caps and gowns, stand together in an outdoor setting with brick buildings and greenery in the background.

The Baptist House of Studies offers opportunities for students to interact in the rich ecosystem of CBFVA churches while growing in a diverse community on campus.

The Baptist House of Studies at Union Presbyterian Seminary was created in collaboration with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia (CBFVA) and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Global to offer high quality theological education to Baptist students in a residential setting on UPSem’s Richmond campus. In addition, students working toward a Master of Divinity can earn a concentration in Baptist Studies by completing the following courses offered on the Richmond campus: Baptist Theology, Baptist History, Baptist Polity, and an internship in a Baptist setting.

BHS Professors

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Bert Browning

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Baptist Polity

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Elizabeth Newman

Adjunct Professor of Theology

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Phyllis Rodgerson Pleasants Tessieri

Adjunct Professor of Baptist History

Financial Resources

Financial Aid

All full-time master's students who apply by the deadline are eligible to receive full tuition in the form of financial aid. Learn More »

Baptist Scholarships

EverBless Foundation

Previously known as the Virginia Baptist Foundation. Hundreds of students are awarded thousands in annual scholarship money each year. Learn More »

Baptist General Association of Virginia Ministerial Education Fund

Scholarships and ministerial education funds available for eligible students. Learn More »

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Scholarship

A Christian network of individuals and churches working together to spread the hope of Christ. Learn More »

Support us today by donating to the CBFVA Theological Education Fund

Advisory Board

Rev. Alice Cates Clark
Associate Pastor for Youth and Community Engagement
Derbyshire Baptist Church

Rev. Laura Davis, ex officio
Associate Coordinator
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia

Rev. Val Fisk
Associate Minister for Students
University Baptist Church, Charlottesville

Dr. Dean Ott, ex officio
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean
Union Presbyterian Seminary

Rev. Alan Miller
Senior Pastor
Orange Baptist Church

Dr. Noel Schoonmaker, Senior
Senior Pastor
Second Baptist Church, Richmond

Rev. Mark Snipes, ex officio
Coordinator
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia

Dr. Jim Somerville, ex officio
Senior Pastor
Richmond's First Baptist Church

Rev. Lisa McLennan, ex officio
Vice President for Charlotte campus and Dean of Students
Union Presbyterian Seminary

Rev. Diana Farrell White
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church, Radford

Dr. Art Wright (Chair)
Senior Pastor
Williamsburg Baptist Church

Kristi Yeatman
Student
Union Presbyterian Seminary

Program Director

Susan Blanchard

Director of the Baptist House of Studies/Registrar

In 2021, Rev. Susan Blanchard accepted the call to become the first Director of the Baptist House of Studies at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond. In this role, Susan supports students as they navigate campus life, pursue a Concentration in Baptist Studies, and engage in field placement in Baptist contexts.

Susan is an ordained Baptist minister who has long been called to minister to students in institutes of higher education. A significant part of her call has been to nurture students as they embrace their own calls to ministry.

Previously Susan served as registrar and director of financial aid, student services manager, and an adjunct faculty member at Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond. Prior to BTSR, she was Baptist campus minister at the University of Mary Washington.

Education
• Union Theological Seminary at Richmond, M.Div.
• Presbyterian School of Christian Education, M.A.C.E.
• Radford University, B.S.

Contact Us

Susan Blanchard

Registrar, Director of the Baptist House of Studies

Richmond

Contact