Accrediting Agencies

The College of Arts and Sciences is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor's and master's degrees. To contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, write to 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, or call 404.679.4500.

The School of Theology is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, and the following degree programs are approved:  M.Div., M.A., D.Min., S.T.M.

The Commission contact information is: The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, 10 Summit Park Drive Pittsburgh, Pa., 15275 USA

Telephone: 412-788-6505
Fax: 412-788-6510
Website: www.ats.edu

Evaluation of Educational Effectiveness

The School of Theology evaluates its educational effectiveness by tracking the graduation rate and the length of time it takes to graduate. The school also uses assessment of learning outcomes through portfolios and the ATS Graduating Student Questionnaire for the M.Div. and M.A. programs. The D.Min. and S.T.M. programs demonstrate educational effectiveness through the evaluation of the thesis/project and through surveys of students and graduates.

We report as “completion rate” the percentage of students who finish their degree within the normal time-to-degree: three years for M.Div., two years for M.A., six years for D.Min. and S.T.M (degrees normally pursued part-time), and one year for DAS. We report as “placement rate” the percentage of graduating students who find employment related to their degree within 18 months of graduation.

M.Div. Program - 2009-10 Entrants
Completion Rate: 87.5%
Placement Rate: 100%
Effectiveness: Direct measures for learning, portfolios, revealed that 98% of graduating students met or exceeded the faculty’s standards for degree objectives. Indirect measures of learning are demonstrated on the chart from graduate student questionnaire.

M.A. Program - 2009-10 Entrants
Completion Rate: 100%
Placement Rate: 100% of those seeking placement were placed
Effectiveness: Measured by successful completion of a thesis. 100% of graduating students successfully completed the thesis, as it is a graduation requirement. Indirect measures of learning are demonstrated on the chart from graduate student questionnaire.

D.Min. Program – 2006-07 Entrants
Completion Rate: 50%
Placement Rate: 100%
Effectiveness: Measured by successful completion of a project and surveys of graduates three years out. 100% of graduating students successfully completed the project, as it is a graduation requirement. In surveys, 78% of respondents indicated the degree enhanced his/her ministry.

S.T.M. Program – 2005-06 Entrants (There were none for 06-07.)
Completion Rate: 100%
Placement Rate: 100%
Effectiveness: Measured by successful completion of a thesis and surveys of graduates three years out. 100% of graduating students successfully completed the thesis, as it is a graduation requirement. In surveys, 100% of respondents indicated the degree provided a fuller mastery of one area of theological study.

Diploma of Anglican Studies – 2009-10 Entrants
Completion Rate: 100%
Placement Rate: 100%
Effectiveness: Measured by completion and placement. The DAS is designed for those whose M.Div. degreeein another theological tradition has not prepared them for employment in the ministry of the Episcopal Church.

The Certificate of Theological Studies recognizes a period of full-time, in-residence study. The educational effectiveness measures are not applicable.

*Students in the D.Min. and S.T.M. programs are normally employed while working towards the degree, so placement rate is not applicable.