Accreditation

Educational Effectiveness

Saint John's University School of Theology and Seminary is committed to offering quality theological education and formation rooted in the Roman Catholic, Benedictine tradition for laity, religious, and clergy preparing for diverse forms of ministry and service in the church and the world. 

Measuring the effectiveness of this education is notoriously elusive, particularly since we take seriously the goals of spiritual growth, wisdom and the ability to lead others in lives of faithful discipleship.  Nevertheless we are committed to regular, on-going assessment of student learning and growth in all these areas and have a number of institutional mechanisms designed to facilitate that assessment.  Each program or degree has learning outcomes that identify academic and pastoral competencies and a mechanism for assessing student progress toward those outcomes.  This includes mid-degree assessments of each ministerial student, annual reviews of ordination candidates, and regular evaluations of summative work in comprehensive examinations, theses, and integration seminar projects.  We also use satisfaction indicators such as course evaluations, student and alumni surveys, and interviews.  This information is used by the faculty and administration not only to assess student achievement but also to assess and modify the curricular and formation programs of the School.

2014-2017 Average Placement Rate 98%

The measure that may speak most directly to the concerns of prospective students and others about the effectiveness of the education offered at Saint John's is the placement rate of our graduates.  Does the education our students receive enable them to achieve the vocational and career goals that led them to pursue a graduate degree?  These are not the only goals students have for their theological education but they are the most straightforward to measure.  The placement rate, calculated as a running average for the academic years 2014-2017, is 98%.  Of those who graduated between fall 2014 to spring 2017 - 55% earned new jobs in their disciplines, 22% continued in jobs they had before their studies or that they began during their studies, 19% went on to further study, 2% reported as still seeking, and 2% were pursing the degree for personal enrichment and not seeking degree-related employment.

For questions and inquiries about the School of Theology and Seminary's educational mission, assessment and effectiveness efforts, please contact the Dean's Office at [email protected] or by phone at 320-363-2622.

Saint John's University School of Theology and Seminary Accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools, and the following degree programs are approved: M.Div., M.A. Liturgical Music, M.A.M., M.T.S.,Th.M.

The Commission contact information is:

Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools
10 Summit Park Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15275
USA
Telephone: 412-788-6505
Fax: 412-788-6510
Website: http://www.ats.edu

The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
Telephone: 800.621.7440
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.hlcommission.org/