Prospective Students
The best way to learn more about Columbia is to visit the campus,
and the best time to visit campus is to come while the seminary is
in session. Columbia's fall term runs from September through mid-December.
The spring term starts in early February (following winter term)
and continues through mid-May.
Basic Degree Programs
If you are interested in learning more about our Master of Divinity
(M.Div.) or Master of Arts in Theological Studies (M.A.T.S.) programs
and would like to schedule a campus visit, contact the
Admissions Office with your name, phone
number, and the dates you wish to visit.
Prospective M.Div. and M.A.T.S. students may wish to visit during
a Conference
on Ministry, our weekend for prospective students. These weekends
are set for November 7-9, 2008, February 20-22, 2009, and November
6-8, 2009.
Advanced Degree Programs
Prospective students interested in the Master of Theology (Th.M.),
Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.), Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) or Doctor of Educational Ministry (D.Ed.Min.) program
should contact the
Advanced
Degrees Office to arrange a visit.
Church Groups
If you are a church group and interested in touring the campus
or in accommodations for meetings or retreats, please send a contact
name, phone number, and the dates you wish to visit to:
Alumni/ae and Church Relations
Columbia Theological Seminary
P.O. Box 520
Decatur, Georgia 30031
404 687-4566
Directions to Campus
701 S. Columbia Dr., Decatur, GA
Columbia Theological Seminary is six miles east of downtown Atlanta,
within the I-285 perimeter.
From the East
From I-20, take I-285 north (Exit 67B) to the Memorial Drive exit
(Exit 41) and turn left. Staying on Memorial Drive, go west (toward
Atlanta) 2.3 miles to the intersection with S. Columbia Drive. Turn
right on S. Columbia Drive and go one mile to Columbia Seminary,
on the left.
From the West
From I-20, take the second Glenwood Ave. exit (Exit 61B). Turn left
on Glenwood, and go 4.5 miles to the intersection with S. Columbia
Drive. Turn left on S. Columbia Drive, and go 2.5 miles to Columbia
Seminary, on the left.
From the Northwest
From I-75, take I-20 east (Exit 247), then take the second Glenwood Ave. exit (Exit 61B). Turn left
on Glenwood, and go 4.5 miles to the intersection with S. Columbia
Drive. Turn left on S. Columbia Drive, and go 2.5 miles to Columbia
Seminary, on the left. "
From the Northeast
From I-85, take the Clairmont Road exit (Exit 91). Turn left and
go 4.9 miles to Commerce Drive in Decatur. Turn left on Commerce,
which will become S. Columbia Drive, and go 1.6 miles to Columbia
Seminary, on the right.
From the South (including the airport)
From I-75/85, take I-20 East (Exit 247), then take the second Glenwood Ave. exit (Exit 61B). Turn left
on Glenwood, and go 4.5 miles to the intersection with S. Columbia
Drive. Turn left on S. Columbia Drive, and go 2.5 miles to Columbia
Seminary, on the left.
Parking is available on the circle in front of Campbell Hall, the
seminary's administration building.
Transportation to Campus from the Airport
Shuttle:
Columbia uses Atlanta Airport Superior Shuttle.
For transportation to the seminary from the airport: Follow
signs for Ground Transportation. Go to the green section, number
15 and 16, and make sure that Atlanta Airport Superior Shuttle is
on the bus. Pickup is every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
You can get the ticket from the driver using cash or credit card.
For transportation to the airport from the seminary:
You must make a reservation 24 hours in advance. Call 770-457-4794
or make reservations by e-mail.
Rapid Transit:
MARTA (Atlanta's rapid rail system) is the least expensive
mode of transportation from the airport ($2.25 one way). From the
airport MARTA station, obtain a Breeze card, which includes the
transfer to Decatur. Take the northbound line to the Five Points
station and transfer to the east line. Get off the train at the
Avondale station, E7. Transfer to Bus 114, which departs from the
north side of the station. This bus stops in front of the seminary.
Taxi service is also available from the Avondale station to Columbia.
The cost for a cab from MARTA to Columbia is about $6. Decatur Best
Taxi Service, 404 289-6603 or 404 371-0776; DeKalb Taxi, 404 371-4535.
Taxi/Limo Service:
Access Atlanta Executive Car Service; (mobile) 770 713-4789
and (office) 770 922-5083. Cost from airport to Columbia: $45 for
one person; $40 per person for two people.
Taxi service from the airport to the seminary is approximately
$60 one way.
Accommodations
Contact us for information about on-campus accommodations.
There are also a number of motels
convenient to the seminary.
For information about additional accommodations in the Decatur
Area, visit the DeKalb Convention and Visitors Bureau
website.
Information Upon Arrival
If you will be arriving at the seminary after hours
or during the weekend, you may want to download
this information about our campus.
Dining
For dining options in the Decatur/Atlanta area, visit the DeKalb
Convention and Visitors Bureau website or the AccessAtlanta restaurant guide.
The Decatur/Atlanta Area
Decatur
Decatur is located
six miles east of downtown Atlanta and is easily accessible by rapid
transit. Founded before Atlanta, Decatur has maintained its own
identity despite its proximity to the Southeast's largest city.
As a result, Decatur combines the resources of an urban center with
the well-established rhythms of a civic-minded community. Neighborhood
restaurants, shops, an international farmers market, and music nightspots
provide a nearby respite from the rigors of academic life.
A short drive from campus are Agnes Scott College and Emory University,
which offer a host of cultural and academic events; Stone Mountain
Park, known for its recreational opportunities; and the Fernbank
Museum of Natural History and Science Center.
Atlanta
The metropolitan Atlanta
area offers students a wealth of recreational, entertainment, and
cultural resources, including the Martin Luther King, Jr., birthplace
and historic district; the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library; Atlanta
University Center; and historic sites from the Civil War and the civil
rights movement. Cultural and recreational opportunities include a
nationally renowned symphony and ballet; science and art museums;
Underground Atlanta; theater and Broadway touring companies; professional
baseball, football, basketball, soccer, and hockey teams; as well
as Six Flags and other amusement parks.
In the Virginia-Highlands neighborhood people stroll along the
sidewalks, stopping in at coffee shops and bookstores. Restaurants
and nightspots draw large crowds from around the city. Little Five
Points is known for its offbeat and culturally diverse character,
and Buckhead's retail stores and fine dining offer the chance for
a splurge on special occasions.
The seminary is just two hours drive from the north Georgia mountains
where folk art and culture mix with opportunities for hiking and
whitewater rafting. Georgia's Atlantic coast is also a popular getaway
spot.
Points of interest
For ideas about places you might like to visit
while in the Atlanta area: