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 2021-2022 Student Satisfaction Survey, 58% 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
91%
I feel I am growing intellectually in seminary.
87%
I feel I am growing spiritually in seminary.
89%
The United community supports my academic and spiritual growth.
RESPECT
90%
My views are respected in the classroom /seminary community.
89%
I have been taught to respect the views of others in the classroom/seminary community.
COMMITMENT
87%
Faculty and/or mentors are committed to my growth in the faith.
92%
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 2021-2022 Graduating Student Questionnaire, 78% of United’s 88 graduates
responded1. We compare United’s results to those from participating ATS schools.
Based on responses to this survey:
0
%
Agree or strongly agree they were satisfied with their academic experience at United.
0
%
Were offered a position or will continue in their current ministerial position, as compared to 65% for ATS schools.
0
%
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 2021, 13% of the 2,169 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.
Based on responses to this survey:
0
%
Would recommend United to a prospective student.
0
%
Are currently employed in or retired from ministry.
0
%
Serve in local parishes.3
0
%
Work in either denominational offices or chaplaincy positions.4
AVERAGE TIME TO COMPLETION, GRADUATION RATES AND PLACEMENT RATES BY DEGREE FOR 20215
According to results from the ATS 2021-2022 Strategic Information Report, which approximates time to completion, on average United’s Master of Divinity students completed their degree in 3.94 years, Master of Arts in Christian Ministries, Master of Ministry, Master of Theological Studies, and Master of Arts students in 3.36 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) | 70% | 60% |
| MA (MA, MACM, MMin, and MTS) | 25% | 54% |
| Doctoral Degrees (DMin) | 62% | 55% |
In addition, placement rates7are evaluated in this report. United’s overall placement rate is 85%, as compared to 90% for all ATS schools.
Placement Rates
| Degree Program | United Theological Seminary |
| Master of Divinity (MDiv) | 90% |
| Professional MA (MACM and MMin) | 76% |
| Academic MA (MA and MTS) | 80% |
| Doctoral Degrees (DMin) | 83% |
RETENTION RATES BY PROGRAM CATEGORY 2021-20228
The Office of Student Success tracks student retention rates on an annual basis.
92%
Master’s Degrees and Certificates
95%
Doctoral Degree
Note: All percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number.
[1] The Association of Theological Schools 2021-2022 Graduating Student Questionnaire, Report for United Theological Seminary compared to Total School Profile (141 participating ATS schools, 5,558 respondents). The survey was sent to students graduating with a degree or certificate from United in the 2021-2022 academic year. Data collected represents a 78% response rate of the 88 United degree- and certificate-seeking graduating students contacted (69 respondents).
[2] The 2021 alumni/ae survey was sent in April 2021 to alumni/ae who graduated with a degree or certificate from United in years ranging from the 1940s to 2020, for whom the seminary had email contact information (2,169 of 4,412 living alumni/ae). Data collected represents a 13% response rate of the 2,169 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 2021-2022 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 100% of the 110 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 2021 to Fall 2022.
