How to get into Southeastern University
How to get into SEU: an Assemblies of God Pentecostal university in Lakeland with strong ministry and business programs
53%
Acceptance rate
$32,950
In-state cost
What makes Southeastern University admissions different
Southeastern University is a mid-size (~4,800 undergrad) private Pentecostal Christian university in Lakeland, FL, affiliated with the Assemblies of God. The institutional identity is overtly Pentecostal-Charismatic Christian (chapel, ministry-track courses, community-life expectations rooted in AG doctrine) and applicants are expected to engage with the faith dimension whether or not they're AG members. Programs include Ministerial Leadership, Business, Education, Psychology, and Communication. SEU has grown substantially through its 'extension site' model (SEU has campus locations at AG-affiliated churches across the U.S.) and the residential main campus in Lakeland.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through SEU's institutional online application. The application includes essays addressing Christian-life fit and Pentecostal/AG faith context.
- 2.
Maintain a strong GPA in college-prep coursework. SAT/ACT is considered; submitting reinforces a borderline file.
- 3.
Apply for institutional merit (Presidential, Provost, Dean's) at the time of application. AG-affiliated outside scholarships often stack with SEU institutional aid.
- 4.
If ministry is the goal, name the specific track in the Barnett College of Ministry & Theology and reference an AG-affiliated home church if applicable.
- 5.
If you're considering an SEU extension site rather than the Lakeland main campus, verify the program offerings and accreditation at the site — the extension model has program-specific differences from main-campus offerings.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Treating the AG / Pentecostal identity as background. The faith dimension is central — applicants who don't engage with it in the application or daily campus life find the fit lacking.
- ✕
Confusing the main campus with extension sites. They offer different programs and applicants should choose deliberately based on what they want.
- ✕
Missing institutional merit deadlines. Small-private merit aid matters; verify and apply on time.
The specifics for Southeastern University
Application deadlines
- Priority application2026-03-01Rolling through summer for fall start.
What makes this admissions process distinctive
Assemblies of God Pentecostal affiliation
SEU is affiliated with the Assemblies of God. The Pentecostal-Charismatic Christian identity shapes campus life — chapel, ministry-track courses, and community-life expectations rooted in AG doctrine.
SEU operates campus locations at AG-affiliated churches across the U.S. in addition to the residential Lakeland main campus. The extension model offers program-specific differences from main-campus offerings.
Barnett College of Ministry & Theology
The Barnett College is the school's flagship ministry-formation program with multiple ministry tracks (Pastoral, Youth, Worship, Cross-Cultural Missions).
What graduates actually do
Southeastern University is an Assemblies of God-affiliated Christian university in Lakeland, Florida, with strong outcomes in ministry, education, business, and worship arts. Graduates feed Assemblies of God churches globally, central Florida public and Christian schools, and the Lakeland-area Publix Super Markets corporate headquarters. The College of Ministry and the Tom and Mariam Murphey College of Arts and Media are anchor programs.
Transfer pathway
Southeastern accepts transfer students with a 2.0+ GPA and honors Florida's statewide 2+2 articulation agreement, guaranteeing junior-status entry for Florida CC AA-degree completers. Polk State College, the immediate-neighbor CC, sends the largest transfer cohort. Hillsborough Community College and Valencia College are also common feeders. Transfer scholarships are prorated.
Articulation partners
Polk State College · Hillsborough Community College · Valencia College
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App (supplements re-verified this pass). Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
SEU is reachable for applicants with college-prep coursework who are mission-aligned with the Pentecostal-Christian identity. Cost requires institutional merit + FAFSA aid stacking to be manageable for most families.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.