Western Seminary also has online-only degrees and programs and offers cohorts at partner churches around the U.S. Portland Baptist Bible Institute was organized in the winter of 1925 through the work of Walter B. Hinson.

In the following year, further efforts were begun to establish a graduate-level seminary to provide a theological education of greater depth in the Northwestern United States.

The board acquired the Philip Buehner House, now Armstrong Hall, and 5 acres (2.0 ha) of land on the west slope of Portland's Mt.

Western's presidents have been reputable leaders in theological education, including Earl D. Radmacher (1965–1989), Bert Downs (1998–2008) and Randal Roberts (2008-2021).

Western was one of the earliest institutions to offer the Doctor of Ministry degree, with modular scheduling for easy out of state access.

In 1981, Western began an online-only program that served hundreds of students per year in study centers across America and overseas through interactive video curriculum.

In 2005, Western expanded its training sites along the west coast by establishing learning cohorts in such cities as Seattle and Richland, Washington, Reno, Nevada and Bakersfield, California.

In 2014, the seminary launched a Seattle Teaching Site in Bellevue, Washington to offer classes to the Puget Sound Area.

'Transformed' is a blog composed by faculty and alumni of Western Seminary, which was launched in October 2011 to help initiate renewal to the Christian Church community.

Articles address a variety of disciplines, including the Bible, theology, ministry practice, leadership, discipleship, culture and reviews of various media that pertain to Christian living.