STATEMENT OF EDUCATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
OUR
United prepares faithful and fruitful Christian leaders to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
STATEMENT OF EDUCATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
United is committed to its mission and publishes a number of measures of educational effectiveness and success. When possible, United benchmarks its results against those for schools accredited by The Association for Theological Schools (ATS).
As United prepares people for service and leadership in the church, information is gleaned from United students, graduates and alumni/ae to evaluate educational effectiveness in this endeavor.
UNITED STUDENTS
United Theological Seminary surveys its students annually. For the 2022-2023 Student Satisfaction Survey, 65% of students responded.
United strives to cultivate an environment where its students may learn and grow. When responding regarding the learning environment, several themes emerge as a high percentage of students agree or strongly agree with the following statements:
GROWTH
I feel I am growing intellectually in seminary.
I feel I am growing spiritually in seminary.
The United community supports my academic and spiritual growth.
COMMITMENT
Faculty and/or mentors are committed to my growth in the faith
Faculty and/or mentors are committed to my learning.
UNITED GRADUATES
United participates in an annual survey of its graduates administered by The Association of Theological Schools. For the ATS 2022-2023 Graduating Student Questionnaire, 76% of United’s 107 graduates responded1. We compare United’s results to those from participating ATS schools.
Based on responses to this survey:
97%
Agree or strongly agree they were satisfied with their academic experience at United.
72%
Were offered a position or will continue in their current ministerial position, as compared to 65% for ATS schools.
76%
Plan to serve in parish or congregational ministry, as compared to 56% for ATS schools.
UNITED ALUMNI/AE
United also conducts an alumni/ae survey2. In 2023, 24% of the 2,321 alumni/ae contacted responded to the survey.
United’s dedication to providing an educational experience that values the local church and prepares people for pastoral ministry is recognized by judicatories and borne out in levels of ordination and service in local churches.
AVERAGE TIME TO COMPLETION, GRADUATION RATES AND PLACEMENT RATES BY DEGREE FOR 20225
According to results from the ATS 2022 Strategic Information Report, which approximates time to completion, on average United’s Master of Divinity students completed their degree in 3.82 years, Master of Arts in Christian Ministries, Master of Ministry, Master of Theological Studies, and Master of Arts students in 2.67 years.
Graduation rates6are evaluated in this report, with United results compared to industry in the table below.
Graduation Rates
| Degree Program | United Theological Seminary | All ATS Schools |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Divinity (MDiv) | 62% | 61% |
| MA (MA, MACM, MMin, and MTS) | 40% | 53% |
| Doctoral Degrees (DMin) | 72% | 50% |
Graduation rates6are evaluated in this report, with United results compared to industry in the table below.
Placement Rates
| Degree Program | United Theological Seminary |
|---|---|
| Master of Divinity (MDiv) | 92% |
| Professional MA (MACM and MMin) | 100% |
| Academic MA (MA and MTS) | 100% |
| Doctoral Degrees (DMin) | 77% |
RETENTION RATES BY PROGRAM CATEGORY 2022-20238
The Office of Student Success tracks student retention rates on an annual basis. The rates below reflect retention from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023.
Master’s Degrees and Certificates
Doctoral Degree
Note: All percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number.
[1] The Association of Theological Schools 2022-2023 Graduating Student Questionnaire, Report for United Theological Seminary compared to Total School Profile (146 participating ATS schools, 5,842 respondents). The survey was sent to students graduating with a degree or certificate from United in the 2022-2023 academic year. Data collected represents a 76% response rate of the 107 United degree- and certificate-seeking graduating students contacted (81 respondents).
[2] The 2023 alumni/ae survey was sent in April 2023 to alumni/ae who graduated with a degree or certificate from United in years ranging from the 1940s to 2022, for whom the seminary had email contact information (2,321 of 5,305 living alumni/ae). Data collected represents a 24% response rate of the 2,321 alumni/ae contacted.
[3] Or if retired, were serving in this capacity at time of retirement.
[4] Or if retired, were serving in this capacity at time of retirement.
[5] The Association of Theological Schools 2022 Strategic Information Report for United Theological Seminary, United’s programs in each ATS category are listed in parentheses following the category.
[6] Graduation rates represent the percentage of students who were able to complete their chosen degree within a specified period of time which approximates two times the normal length of the degree.
[7] Placement rates show the percent of graduates that within one year of graduation either received a vocational placement, received a non-vocational placement, or went on for further study. United collects placement data from graduating students via a required survey question on the intent to graduate form. This data is provided by the Registrar to the Association for Theological Schools (ATS) in the annual report form. Placement rates are calculated using ATS methodology from the data provided. Data collected represents 98% of the 86 United graduates.
[8] Retention rates are calculated as the percentage of students who enrolled in the previous Fall or Spring who have enrolled in either of the following two semesters. Retention rates reflected above are calculated from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023.