Accreditation

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a private, not-for-profit institution accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the Commission on Accrediting of The Association of Theological Schools. In 2012, both accreditors reaffirmed degree program(s) of study offered by Southeastern.

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is hosting a comprehensive evaluation visit for reaffirmation of accreditation by the ATS Commission on Accrediting on March 14th-17th, 2022. The purpose of this visit is to verify that the school meets all applicable Commission Standards of Accreditation. Comments regarding how well the school meets those standards and/or generally demonstrates educational quality may be sent to the ATS Director of Commission Information Services or call 412-788-6505 at least two weeks before the visit. Comments may also or instead be sent in writing to Dr. Keith Whitfield at [email protected]. All comments will be shared with the onsite evaluation committee.

Because Southeastern is an institution of religious education, it has been declared exempt from the requirements for licensure under provisions of North Carolina General Statutes (G.S.) 116-15(d) for exemption from licensure with respect to religious education. Exemption from licensure is not based upon any assessment of program quality under established licensing standards.

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a religious institution exempt from state regulation and oversight in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and the College at Southeastern are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctorate degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and the College at Southeastern may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404)679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

The seminary has been accredited by SACS since 1978.

Commission on Accrediting of The Association of Theological Schools

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.

The Commission’s contact information is:

The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada

10 Summit Park Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15275 USA
Telephone: 412-788-6505
Fax: 421-788-6510
Website: www.ats.edu

The seminary has been accredited by ATS since 1958.

Educational Effectiveness

Retention Rate:

  1. Undergraduate: Percentage of first-time [non-transferable] bachelors (or equivalent) degree-seeking undergraduates matriculated in the previous Fall semester who re-enrolled in current reporting Fall semester.
  2. Graduate/Advanced: Percentage of degree-seeking graduate or advanced students matriculated in the previous Fall semester who re-enrolled in current reporting Fall semester.

Persistance Rate:

  1. Percentage of degree-seeking students enrolled in the previous academic period and did not graduate who re-enrolled in the reporting academic period.

Graduation Rate:

  1. Undergraduate:
    1. IPEDS: Percentage of full-time, first-time (non-transfer), degree/certificate seeking students in Fall cohorts who graduate within 150% of the degree length (i.e., 6yrs).
    2. Additional Internal Formula: Percentage of degree/certificate seeking students in Fall cohorts who graduate within 150% of the degree length (i.e., 6yrs).
  2. Graduate/Advanced (ATS Formula): Combined percentage of degree-seeking students in Fall cohorts who graduate within 200% of the degree length (see 200% durations below).
    1. 8yrs – PhD (e.g., for 2020-21 reporting, the 2012 Fall cohort)
    2. 6yrs – MDiv, DMin, EdD (e.g., for 2020-21 reporting, the 2014 Fall cohort)
    3. 4yrs – MAs (professional and academic) (e.g., for 2020-21 reporting, the 2016 Fall cohort)
    4. 2yrs – ThM (e.g., for 2020-21 reporting, the 2018 Fall cohort)

Placement Rate:

  1. The percentage of students who successfully entered vocational ministry within either one year after graduating (2019-20 graduates and before) or six months after graduating (2020-21 graduates and on).

Course Completion Rate:

  1. Undergraduate /Graduate: Percentage of courses completed with a passing grade (D- or higher, P, or NG) attempted by undergraduate and graduate (degree, certificate, or credit seeking) students for the reporting academic year.
  2. Advanced: Percentage of courses completed with a passing grade (B- or higher, P, or NG) attempted by advanced (degree, certificate, or credit seeking) students for the reporting academic year.