![\"Southwestern](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AHi_j0011(56).JPG\" "\\"Southwestern")
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Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary was sanctioned in 2023 after failing a financial audit. <\/p>\n
Joyce Marshall<\/p>\n
Star-Telegram\/Joyce Marshall<\/p>\n
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary\u2019s years in the accreditation desert may be coming to an end, according to a letter from school president David S. Dockery.<\/p>\n
Dockery\u2019s letter comes a day after the seminary hosted inspectors from its accreditation agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission.<\/p>\n
According to the letter, the inspectors will recommend removing sanctions put in place in response to an audit of the seminary\u2019s finances.<\/p>\n
The accreditation agency\u2019s board will still have to vote on whether to remove the sanctions, but the recommendation from the inspectors is a positive step, Dockery said in his letter.<\/p>\n
The seminary was placed on a two-year probationary period in 2023<\/a> following a July 2022 audit that found \u201cdeep financial vulnerabilities, including large deficits that threatened the seminary\u2019s long-term stability.\u201d<\/p>\n That probationary period was extended for one year after<\/a> a 2025 inspection showed the seminary was taking positive steps to address the issues found in the audit, according to a June 2025 letter from Dockery.<\/p>\n The school has maintained its accreditation through the three-year audit process.<\/p>\n In his April 8 letter posted on the seminary\u2019s website<\/a>, Dockery thanked administrators, staff and the seminary\u2019s board of trustees for their work to get the school on sounder financial footing.<\/p>\n \u201cToday, we give thanks to God for answering these prayers in abundant ways, and for bringing Southwestern to this important place,\u201d Dockery said.<\/p>\n \u2b50 Our editors also recommend: <\/p>\n Related Stories from Fort Worth Star-Telegram<\/p>\n