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Educational Effectiveness

To ensure that its educational programs fulfill the seminary’s mission, Columbia Theological Seminary (CTS) engages in regular practices of assessing the effectiveness of its programs. The institution’s mission is stated as: Columbia Theological Seminary exists to educate and nurture faithful, imaginative, and effective leaders for the sake of the Church and the world. In its expanded statement of mission, Columbia states its intention to offer graduate degrees that will develop personal and professional skills for lay and ordained ministries in the Church and the world, whether paid or volunteer. 

One measure of student achievement is the rate at which students complete degrees over time. When displaying this information, the seminary lists the degree and then uses data that reflects graduation/retention for various entering classes. The data reported tracks at least the last six years in which students would have had the opportunity to graduate in light of the normal duration of the program. Columbia strives to have 85% of each of its master’s programs and 50% of it doctoral programs completed by students who begin those programs in any given year. Tracking for the last six years in which graduation would be possible in light of the time it takes to earn a degree can be seen here: 

DegreeEntering YearGraduation RateContinuing
MAPT2020067%
201980%20%
2018100%0
201786%14%
201663%0
201560%0
MA(TS)202013%63%
201967%0
201850%0
201786%0
201680%0
201562%0
MDiv201960%27%
201881%9%
201782%5%
201687%0
201586%0
201479%0
MDiv/MAPT20187020%
20171000
2016890
20151000
20141000
20131000
ThM202167%33%
2020100%0
2019100%0
2018100%0
2017100%0
2016100%0
DMin2018080%
201735%46%
201653%47%
201555%36%
201440%20%
201350%22%
DEdMin201830%60%
201643%0
201475%0
201291%0
201085%0

In addition, Columbia compares it rates with those of other graduate theological institutions that are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. Using a slightly different calculation that what Columbia uses internally, data submitted by CTS and other schools allow for a comparison of our graduation rates against national averages. 

The Table below shows the percent of students in degrees that graduate within two times the normal length of those degrees (see the various degree lengths above). This figure also shows your school compared to the overall graduation rates of ATS schools and ecclesial families.

  Columbia  All ATS Schools Evangelical Protestant Mainline Protestant Roman Catholic / Orthodox 
Master’s Degrees (MDiv) 90% 59% 52% 66% 64% 
Master’s Degrees (MA) 88% 54% 49% 60% 55% 
Master’s Degrees (ThM/STM) 100% 46% 36% 61% 49% 
Doctoral Degrees (DMin and Other Prof Dr) 45% 54% 49% 60% 70% 
Overall 78%     

Placement rates:  Using the format of tracking placement from the Association of Theological Schools, Columbia tracks each graduate.  In light of its mission and its commitment to develop “preachers and teachers”, Columbia seeks to have 85% of its graduates across all degrees in some form of vocational placement or pursuing further study. 

Class  of  2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 
Vocational 73% 58% 73% 79% 79% 
Non-Vocational 2% 9% 3% 2% 2% 
Further Study 15% 21% 16% 7% 7% 
Seeking Placement 5% 8% 6% 2% 4% 
Other 0% 2% 2% 4% 2% 
Unknown 5% 2% 0% 6% 6% 
Benchmark met 88% Yes 79% No 89% Yes 86% Yes 86% Yes 

In addition, Columbia monitors its rate as compared to all schools in the Association of Theological Schools, which uses a slightly different measure. ATS measures the positive placement rate and compares CTS to all other schools in the association. Columbia’s average placement rate in ATS calculations for 2021 was 95%. 

 Columbia   All ATS Schools Evangelical Protestant Mainline Protestant Roman Catholic / Orthodox 
95% 90% 89% 90% 94% 

Effectiveness in teaching skills and enabling student growth: Using the Association of Theological Schools’ Graduating Student Questionnaire, Columbia tracks student ratings in the following key areas related to the institution’s mission and curriculum. The questionnaire uses an average rating based on a 5-point scale: 1-Not at all effective, 2-Not very effective, 3-Somewhat effective, 4-Effective, 5-Very effective). Columbia’s benchmark is to be rated as effective in all areas, thus obtaining a rating of at least 4.0 in each measure. 

  Graduating Class of 2022 MDiv MA(TS), MAPT DMin ThM, DEdMin 
Ability to use and interpret Scripture 4.3 4.3 4.0 4.0 
Ability to think theologically 4.5 4.3 4.5 4.5 
Ability to relate social issues to faith 4.7 4.7 4.5 4.6 
Awareness and appreciation of the globalized context in which ministry is practiced 4.3 4.3 4.6 4.3 
Ability to interact effectively with those from cultural and racial/ethnic contexts other than my own 4.0 4.3 4.5 4.3 

Columbia Theological Seminary tracks the passage of the Presbyterian Church (USA) ordination exams by current students. The written exams are in four areas: Biblical Exegesis, Theology, Polity, and Worship and Sacraments. Columbia’s benchmark is 5% above the overall passage rate for all exams taken nationally. In 2020-2021, Columbia was 7% above the overall average for the year, and in 2021-2022 was 12% over the overall pass rate.