Northwest Baptist Seminary in Tacoma is merging with a Christian university in Oregon to become Corban University School of Ministry.

Sixty-student Northwest Baptist will continue offering graduate and post-graduate programs in Tacoma’s North End as part of Corban University in Salem, Ore.

Northwest Baptist Seminary, which has Baptist roots but is no longer affiliated with a denomination, has been located in Tacoma since 1974. It offers several master’s degrees in theology and ministry and a doctor of ministry.

Corban University has about 1,100 students in undergraduate and some graduate programs. Now independent, it was formerly known as Western Baptist College.

The Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the merger Aug. 5. Final approval by the boards of trustees for both schools is scheduled to take place in the fall.