Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary is a graduate school of theology that prepares skilled, bold and articulate leaders who share the transforming love of Jesus Christ. Related to The United Methodist Church, with an ecumenical and international reach, we prepare leaders who are equipped to live and proclaim the Gospel and to teach in diverse congregations and educational settings. To this end, measuring the educational effectiveness of our programs is Garrett-Evangelical’s ongoing commitment.
Evaluating educational effectiveness is an ongoing process carried out across our degree programs. We continually seek to improve our teaching practices and the educational quality of programs for our students. Assessment processes range from course evaluation questionnaires to review of degree and program goals to interviews with alumni/ae. We annually review the data made available to us from the Association of Theological Schools through the Graduate Student Questionnaire (GSQ) and utilize that information as one of many bases for the improvement of curricula and student services. Two key components in the GSQ report are the assessment of Educational Effectiveness in Facilitating Skill Areas which students consistently rate as effective to highly effective, and the Level of Satisfaction with School’s Students Services and Academic Resource, in which students report a general level of satisfaction. We also look to our significant markers for student learning for keys to improving our degree program pedagogy, including a mid-program evaluation that guides students toward successful completion of the program and the final projects specific to each degree program.
Other key measures of effectiveness include graduation rates, the average length of time for the completion of a degree, and continuing enrollment. These are listed below for each degree program for students entering between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2017.
This professional degree for pastoral vocation provides the academic qualification for ordination as elder or deacon by The United Methodist Church and other denominations. The M.Div. offers students the opportunity to choose from a variety of concentrations, including urban ministry, youth ministry, social justice, and African-American Church Leadership. In addition, the program prepares students with high academic achievement for doctoral studies in religion.
372
60.2
3.4
18.0
17.5
4.3
Master of Arts degrees equip students in the following areas of specialized ministry: Christian Education (MACE), Pastoral Care and Counseling (MAPCC), Public Ministry (MAPM), and Spiritual Formation and Direction (MASFD). These programs prepare students for leadership in congregations and agencies in specialized ministries. They also meet educational requirements for those seeking ordination as deacons in The United Methodist Church and for elders preparing for specialized ministries.
29
55.2
2.9
20.7
20.7
3.4
2
50
2
0
0
50
51
56.9
3.1
15.7
23.5
3.9
4
25
2
25
25
25
*The MAPM program began in 2017 and the MASFD was reconfigured as a separate degree at the time.
This two-year degree program allows for specialization in a chosen area of research and provides preparation for doctoral study in religion. It can be combined with a professional degree. Areas of specialization include: Old Testament, New Testament, History of Christianity, Theology and Ethics, Liturgy, and Religion, Personality and Culture. 39% of graduates in this program over the past five years have gone on to advanced academic study.
57
45.6
2.7
28.1
26.6
0
The DMin is an advanced degree in Christian ministry that prepares students for spiritual leadership in the church and enhances their competence as practical theologians. The DMin reflects the seminary’s commitment to meeting the needs of leadership in the church and the serious theological reflection that is foundational to this task. Tracks include: Community Organizing, Congregational Leadership, Spiritual Direction, Strategic Leadership for Black Congregations, and Preaching.
95
47.4
3.3
24.2
28.4
0
This program prepares persons for teaching and research in theological seminaries, departments of religion in colleges and universities and church leadership. PhD students may specialize in one of five program areas: Biblical Studies; Christian Education and Congregational Studies; Liturgical Studies; Pastoral Theology, Personality, and Culture; and Theology, Ethics and History. Of our graduates over the past five years, 58% currently serve as faculty or administrators in higher education, 8% as directors or administrators in denominational agencies, 24% as pastors of congregations, and 10% in other agencies or programs.
74
29.7
5.7
47.3
21.6
1.3
