Accreditation
Methodist Theological School in Ohio is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, and the following degree programs are approved: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Social Justice, Master of Arts in Practical Theology, Master of Arts in Counseling Ministries, Master of Theological Studies, Doctor of Ministry.
The Commission 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: 412-788-6510
Website: www.ats.edu
MTSO also is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission:
230 S. LaSalle St., Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
800-621-7440
www.hlcommission.org
In addition, our degree programs are authorized by the Ohio Department of Higher Education and approved by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church.
Statement on Educational Effectiveness
MTSO fosters an ethos of continuous enhancement of educational effectiveness. Central to this ethos is an assessment plan that states degree outcomes reflecting institutional mission, identifies and gathers evidence of student learning, and analyzes this information to make program improvements. Evidence of student learning takes many forms: Association of Theological Schools’ entering and graduating student questionnaires, rubric-based end-of-course evaluation of student performance, rubric-based evaluation of assignments with specific links to degree outcomes, mid-program reviews, field education supervisor evaluations, and alum surveys.
The goal set for outcomes in a master’s degree is typically that 90 percent of the student work assessed receives the top two descriptors in an evaluative rubric.
In the Master of Divinity degree, 14 outcomes span the theological curriculum and the practices of ministry. Assessment data indicate that goals are met in 10 outcomes. In three outcomes, the percent of student work receiving the top two descriptors in evaluation rubrics is less that the 90 percent benchmark (in the mid-eighty percent range). Data is inconclusive for one outcome.
The Master of Arts in Counseling Ministries program has nine degree outcomes addressing knowledge of therapeutic and developmental models, application of such models, and integration of theology with counseling. Assessment data indicate that all outcomes are being met.
The Master of Arts in Practical Theology program outcomes are in the midst of revision and a new data gathering protocol is under development. A 2016 survey of MAPT alums tested 14 revised outcomes. When alums were asked whether they were adequately prepared to achieve those outcomes, the ratings for all but one outcome had an average in the “agree” to “strongly agree” range.
In the Master of Theological Studies program, the degree’s six outcomes focus on biblical studies, engagement of theological doctrines and church traditions, ethical analysis of contemporary social issues, and conducting theological research. Student learning in two of the four outcomes assessed by evaluative rubrics meet the 90 percent or higher goal. For one of the other two outcomes, 88 percent of student work satisfies the outcome. For the remaining outcome, 77 percent of student work achieves the outcome. Data is inconclusive for two other outcomes.
December 2017
Time to Degree Completions
| Years | M.Div. | MA | MTS | D.Min. | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| <2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 to <3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 to <4 | 15 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 24 |
| 4 to <5 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 13 |
| 5 to <6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 6+ | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Totals | 26 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 43 |
Source: MTSO Association of Theological Schools Time to Completions 2019 Report
Graduation Rates
| Program (Cohort) | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| Master of Divinity (fall 2013 cohort) | 85% |
| Master of Arts (fall 2015 cohort) | 50% |
| Master of Theological Studies (fall 2015 cohort) | 100% |
| Doctor of Ministry (fall 2013 cohort) | 0% |
Source: MTSO Association of Theological Schools Graduation Rates by Degree Programs 2019 Report
Retention Rates
While the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System [IPEDS] requires the reporting of retention information for undergraduate institutions, it does not give an option for graduate schools like MTSO to report the same. That being said, the IPEDS measure for Retention Rates can be adapted to work in graduate settings as the percentage of first-time degree-seeking students from the previous Fall semester who either re-enrolled or successfully completed their degree by the subsequent Fall semester. This report answers the question, “Of the degree-seeking students who were enrolled in a particular Fall semester, what percentage either successfully completed their degree or were making progress towards their degree in the subsequent Fall semester?”
| Fall Semester to Fall Semester | Retention Rate |
|---|---|
| Fall 2016 to Fall 2017 | 83% |
| Fall 2015 to Fall 2016 | 69% |
| Fall 2014 to Fall 2015 | 80% |
| Fall 2013 to Fall 2014 | 89% |
| Fall 2012 to Fall 2013 | 93% |
| 5-Year Average | 83% |
Source: MTSO Student Information System
MTSO Academic Affairs/Office of the Registrar
Revised 11/7/2017 LPR