Biola University is preparing to expand its theological education footprint across the Southwest through the acquisition of Phoenix Seminary, a move that will create what leaders describe as the ‘nation’s second-largest nondenominational seminary’.
The announcement was made the first week of June, after Biola University’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved plans to acquire the assets of the Arizona-based seminary. Pending final regulatory approvals, Phoenix Seminary will become Talbot Seminary Phoenix, serving as a regional campus of Biola’s renowned Talbot School of Theology beginning fall of 2026.
University leaders say the decision reflects a shared commitment to preserving and strengthening biblical theological education for future generations. “For more than a century, Biola University has prepared students to be a faithful and influential witness in the world for the cause of Christ,” said Biola President Barry Corey. “Through this acquisition, Biola University and Talbot School of Theology seek to honor and carry forward Phoenix Seminary’s established legacy while investing in its future.”
Founded in 1988, Phoenix Seminary currently serves approximately 300 students. Biola University, headquartered in La Mirada, offers more than 250 academic programs and serves over 5,300 students through its main campus, online learning, and distance education programs worldwide.
According to university officials, Talbot Seminary Phoenix will maintain a local presence in Arizona with faculty and staff remaining on site. The campus will support expanded theological education initiatives throughout the Southwest while remaining grounded in the theological traditions that have shaped both institutions.
Michael Maples, a member of Biola University’s Board of Trustees, said the acquisition was driven by a desire to preserve the seminary’s nearly four decades of ministry and educational impact.
Phoenix Seminary leadership emphasized that the transition is not the result of a crisis but rather the culmination of more than a year of prayerful discussion and planning. Current students will continue their studies uninterrupted, with classes, faculty, and degree programs remaining in place throughout the transition process.
Phoenix Seminary President and Chancellor Darryl DelHousaye described the partnership as an opportunity to build upon decades of ministry preparation and leadership development. For La Mirada residents, the acquisition represents another significant milestone for Biola University, reinforcing the institution’s influence not only as a local educational anchor but also as a growing national leader in Christian higher education.
If approved as expected, Talbot Seminary Phoenix will officially begin operations under the Biola umbrella later this year, extending the reach of one of the country’s most respected evangelical theological institutions while preserving Phoenix Seminary’s longstanding mission and heritage.
