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 GSQ was changed beginning 2014, asking different questions and no longer breaking out responses by degree.) 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: 2019–20 Entrants
Completion Rate: 94.4%
Placement Rate: 94.7%
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 chart 14 and chart 15 from the graduate student questionnaire.
M.A. Program: 2020–21 Entrants
Completion Rate: 83.33%
Placement Rate: 80%
Effectiveness: Direct measures for learning, portfolios, revealed that 100% of graduating, general-track, students met or exceeded the faculty's standards for degree objectives. 100% of graduating students concentrating in a particular area successfully completed a research paper. Indirect measures of learning are demonstrated on chart 14 and chart 15 from the graduate student questionnaire.
D.Min. Program: 2016 Entrants
Completion Rate: 75%
Placement Rate*
Effectiveness: Measured by successful completion of a project and surveys of graduates three years out. The check sheets completed in review of the projects demonstrated 97% adequate or high-level achievement. In surveys, 100% of respondents indicated the degree enhanced his/her ministry.
S.T.M. Program:
Completion Rate: 33.33%
Placement Rate*
Effectiveness: Measured by successful completion of a thesis and surveys of graduates three years out. The check sheets completed in review of the theses demonstrated 100% adequate or high-level achievement. No students responded to the survey this year.
Diploma of Anglican Studies: 2021–22 Entrants
Completion Rate: No students entered in the cohort.
Placement Rate:
Effectiveness: Measured by completion and placement. The DAS is designed for those whose M.Div. degree in 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.
