Welcome to Southwest Baptist University

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Welcome to SBU

Tour stop audio transcript

Welcome to Southwest Baptist University! Founded in 1878, we are a Christian liberal arts university offering more than 100 areas of academic study for both undergraduate and graduate students over four different campuses and online. We are nationally recognized for our academic programs and the integration of faith in all we do. We offer students a fun and engaging campus experience, with a vibrant and close-knit community where you'll build lifelong friendships. Our students engage in academic rigor, ministry and a hands-on learning experience. We can't wait to meet you!

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Pike Auditorium

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Welcome to Chapel, known as the heart of the SBU Experience. Here, we host chapel on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. The first week of each semester begins with a special Bible conference. We are committed to educating students so that they not only become more perceptive, well-rounded individuals, but that they are instructed in discipleship. We desire that every student who attends SBU will be encouraged to love the Lord, be servant - leaders, and pursue the maximum joy in God.

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Center for Global Connections

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Welcome to our Center for Global Connections! We are one of the largest short-term volunteer programs of any university in the United States. SBU offers students the chance to experience diverse cultures and serve others, while sharing the Good News of the Gospel. Our students connect to a global society. We are dedicated to representing Christ locally, domestically and globally. Ministry opportunities include disaster relief, teaching English, hygiene and nutrition education, village and inner city service as well as youth ministry.

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Randolph Chapel

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It's here we build a sense of community by providing a shared experience of worship, Biblical teaching, community and prayer. Students a use the chapel for personal worship and prayer. The Table is our Student-led bible study held every Tuesday night. Locemente is our student-led worship on Thursday evenings, held outside during the warmer months. Students also love getting involved in our local church college groups that meet across campus. Being mission mindness is an integral part of who we are. Students can attend one of our 30 local and global mission projects each year.

Residence Life

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Welcome to our residence life! It's here you'll find it easy to call SBU home. Living on campus provides opportunities for students to experience growth from sharing spaces with new friends, to being cared for, and ultimately having fun with friends that will be there for a lifetime. Our residence life staff creates a place of community that encourages both personal and spiritual growth. You'll have the chance to get involved in leadership opportunities, residence hall activities, community service projects, multicultural programs and Bible studies.

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Wellness Center

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Our Wellness Center allows students to stay active during the college years and beyond. Our holistic wellness offerings include campus nurses, counselors, and physical training. Try bouldering on our climbing wall or take a plunge in our indoor swimming pool. Students can access three indoor courts for basketball, volleyball courts, or racquetball courts. Plus, be able to use our workout gym that is equipped with weightlifting equipment and cardio machines. Shake Smart, our healthy dining hot spot, was founded by college students for college students and is included in your student dining options.

Student Fitness Center

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Our Student Fitness Center features a full gym, weight room, swimming pool, racket courts, rock wall and several weekly fitness classes. Try one of our aquatic aerobics classes, body sculpting, Pilates or kickboxing. Students also love our intramural sports league, such as flag football, dodgeball, frisbee golf or ping pong.

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Dining

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Here at SBU, we offer fresh, regional cuisine and globally inspired menus for our campus community with high quality food options. SBU's Food Provider was ranked number five for Best College Food in the Nation. Students can enjoy a meal at our main dining facility the Marketplace, Corner Market, Shake Smart and Deli-Craft and Coffee, where we proudly serve Starbucks. It's the food that you want, when and where you want it.

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Athletics

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Meet the Southwest Baptist Bearcats! Recognized as a NCAA Division II School, our athletics program helps student-athletes become leaders by providing a great experience academically, athletically, relationally, socially and spiritually. Students can choose between 17 GLVC varsity sports, as well as several JV teams. You'll have the chance to compete in a high-level conference while gaining national exposure and creating lasting friendships.

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Bookstore

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Our newly renovated bookstore contains SBU apparel and class materials. One way SBU supports its students is by providing all books as part of students' fees and tuition. Every semester, your books will be automatically purchased and delivered to you. This removes any undue stress that comes along with purchasing your class material. Books will instead be available in your dorm rooms on move-in day.

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Nursing

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We offer a variety of nursing degrees at our state-of-the-art facilities. Students can earn Associate, Bachelor, and Master's degrees at our Bolivar main campus as well as our Springfield, Salem and online campuses. Each of our programs is also accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing. Our students benefit from our small class sizes that provide opportunities for individualized instruction, academic guidance and networking. Upon graduating, students enjoy a 95 percent job placement rate.

Exercise Sciences

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Our exercise science major is designed for students interested in any allied health career as they learn how to deal with people who need injury rehabilitation. Facilities for students to practice and simulate a real working environment. By combining coursework in the sciences and human development, we equip you with the skills you need for a variety of professions. Plus, within three months of graduation students can expect a 95 percent job placement rate. With hands-on practicum experiences, small class sizes and dedicated faculty, you'll be prepared to enter the workforce or pursue post-graduate school immediately after graduation.

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Physical Therapy

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Southwest Baptist University prioritizes hands-on clinical learning starting your very first semester in the program. You will be given the opportunity to apply what you learn in the classroom at SBU's hands-on, state-of-the-art facilities. These facilities include multiple labs and a faculty-led pro bono community clinic. SBU Doctor of Physical Therapy program provides resources for you to exceed each week in the classroom, while simultaneously leveraging essential resources to help you graduate and pass the NPTE your first time.

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Hands-On Learning

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Students experience an engaging classroom experience from the very start. Check out our synthetic Cadaver lab, the only one in Southwest Missouri. Biology students can customize their degree based on their own interests. From anatomy to agriculture to biology, SBU offers a hands-on education in all their academic offerings, which helps students brave the toughest classes and learn as much as they can. Learning the theory and practicing hands on allows the student to be prepared for either the workplace or graduate school. SBU sends numerous graduates to medical school, law school, and other types of advance degrees.

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Computer Sciences and Mathematics

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SBU's Computer Science and Mathematics program is the only ABET-Accredited Christian college in the area and one of only six nationwide. Our Division of Computing and Mathematics is the only department to house programs accredited by both ABET and ACBSP. Students enjoy 100 percent job placement rate within 6 months of graduation. We're known as one of the area's leading producers of software engineers because our students put their learning into action with hands-on, real-world projects. You'll create software solutions for large companies and organizations such as the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Ozarks Food Harvest, the Department of Defense contractors and more.

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Education Classroom

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SBU's education classrooms are designed with real-world classrooms in mind and give students a head start on their education career. SBU provides programs for not only Bachelor's degrees but also Master's and Doctorate degrees in Education. Our faculty are highly educated educators with professional backgrounds as teachers, principals and superintendents. Many also serve on state and national education boards. Most importantly, our students engage in relevant curriculum with an emphasis on practical application.

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You are now on the 61st point on the Welcome trail coming from Education Classroom on your way to Explore Bolivar.

Fine Arts

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Our fine arts program includes theatre, music and art. Students can participate in 15 different performing music groups, two annual theatre productions with student-led costume design and set design or showcase their work in our student Art Gallery. You'll form close relationships with your professors with a 9-to-1, student-faculty ratio. Our Department of Art aims to integrate our Christian faith with academic discipline and you'll experience faith discussions woven into your course material. Be sure to check out SBU's Art Club, where students can interact and engage in activities to enhance your art education.

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Redford Building

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Serving, worshiping and experiencing Christ as well as developing servant leaders are the core of our mission here at SBU. We have the unique opportunity to train students in Christian thought and practice alongside diverse fields of study. Our programs allow students to double major, helping our future ministers secure main sources of income and professional focus. We encourage all students to consider their own faith and how they will incorporate their faith into their chosen career paths. All students will get the opportunity to participate in christian faith formation classes as they are a part of our general education curriculum.

Get Involved

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At SBU, your education expands beyond the classroom. Join one of over 35 student-led clubs and activities, such as our Creative Club, International Club or Association of Computing Machinery. Students also love participating in our different performance groups, including theater, music ensembles and speech and debate team. For those looking for student leadership opportunities, check out our Student Association or University Activities Council. There are so many ways to get involved and form a fun and caring community here at SBU.

Explore Bolivar

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Get to know the city of Bolivar, nestled on the edge of the Missouri Ozarks. Southwest Missouri is a vibrant community full of local boutiques, restaurants and study hubs for the coffee-loving students. The surrounding area is home to dozens of churches that welcome SBU students with open arms. Join one of their SBU-specific small groups or attend a community event such as the Country Days Festival, Christmas parade, Light the Park display or Celebration of Freedom fireworks. Students love living in a community that is easy to navigate and convenient, with a central location just 30 minutes from Springfield, Missouri's third largest city.

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