Student no longer has to be under age of 25 to apply for admission to the diploma studies program at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Jonathan Kim, director of the seminary’s undergraduate and lay theological studies department, said, “Any God-called man or woman who has a high school degree may now apply for admission to the diploma studies program at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.”

According to Kim, the first requirement for admission into the undergraduate program has always been a minimum age of 25.

After the board’s decision, any graduate from high school who demonstrates God's call to prepare for ministry may now apply for admission.

"Once a student completes this diploma studies program, he or she becomes eligible for admission into one of the graduate programs at Southwestern," Kim said.

During the fall 2003 semester, Southwestern enrolled 2,887 students. The enrollment number is expected to grow beginning Fall 2004.