Accreditations

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

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements

3005 Center Green Drive

Boulder, CO 80301, USA

Telephone: 720-680-1600

Website: https://nc-sara.org

Memphis Theological Seminary has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. While MTS does not offer any degree in its entirety via distance education, the institution does offer distance education courses, whether in synchronous or asynchronous format.

Memphis Theological Seminary is Senate-approved and operates as one of the Non-United Methodist Affiliated Schools of Theology. While not officially affiliated with the United Methodist Church, MTS is approved by the University Senate to educate United Methodist students seeking ordination, offering theological education that meets the denomination’s academic and formation standards.

Memphis Theological Seminary is committed to educating and sustaining men and women for ordained and lay Christian ministry in the church and the world through shaping and inspiring lives devoted to scholarship, piety, and justice. To that end, Memphis Theological Seminary regularly evaluates its academic programs in light of these goals. Further, ATS and SACSCOC call for all accredited schools to post public statements of educational effectiveness. To do so, Memphis Theological Seminary has assembled data from faculty demographics, as well as student demographics, graduation and placement rates, default rates from our graduates who participate in the Federal Student Loan Program, and various student surveys regarding satisfaction with Memphis Theological Seminary’s programs and the post-graduation experience.

As a graduate professional school, Memphis Theological Seminary challenges students with a rigorous course of study that is responsive to the expectations of various denominational bodies and non-profit/community organizations for persons in ministry. Memphis Theological Seminary provides support in advising and student formation to support students in their progress toward their degree.

A key component of the Memphis Theological Seminary educational experience is the diversity of our community of faith and learning. Regarding its faculty, the seminary carries a goal of diversity in gender (approximately 50/50 female-male), race-ethnicity (at least 33% non-Caucasian), and denominational background (at least 4 denominations, if not more).

As of Fall 2024, MTS’s faculty is made up of 8 full-time teachers and scholars, 4 women and 4 men. Just over one-third of Memphis Theological Seminary’s faculty is African American, and among the faculty are a variety of denominational traditions, including Christian Methodist Episcopal, United Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian Church USA.

As of Fall 2024, 54.5% are female and 45.5% of our students are male. We are racially-ethnically diverse, as 68.9% are African American, 26.3% Caucasian, 2.4% Asian, and 2.4% Hispanic/other. Denominationally, we are represented by 21% in the Methodist tradition (UMC, CME, AME), 36.6% Baptist (American, Cooperative, Full Gospel, General, Missionary, National, other), 12.6% Cumberland Presbyterian, 15.6% non-denominational, and the remaining 14.2% are an array of other denominations and traditions (e.g., Church of God in Christ, Disciples of Christ, Presbyterian Church USA, Pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventist, Episcopal).

Data is provided for 2 years, or 4 semesters.

The graduation rate for Memphis Theological Seminary (MTS) listed in the chart below. As a threshold of acceptability, the seminary’s rate has been compared with the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) institutional average for each year listed. ATS has a total of 281 member institutions.

Graduation rates are reported based on time periods defined by the ATS annual reporting requirements.

MDiv graduation rates refer to those who graduated within a 6-year period.

MACM graduation rates refer to those who graduated within a 4-year period.

DMin graduation rates refer to those who graduated within a 6-year period.

Data is provided for 3 years.

The placement rate for Memphis Theological Seminary (MTS) listed in the chart below has been compared with the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) institutional average for each year listed. A placement rate consists of those graduates who were placed vocationally (in their field), non-vocationally (outside their field), or continuing with further studies. ATS has a total of 281 member institutions.

Data is provided for 3 years.

Loan Default & Debt Management

Memphis Theological Seminary has participated in the Lily Endowment Debt Study and has received grants to develop debt-reduction programs and education for seminarians. The financial aid coordinator for Memphis Theological Seminary provides student support in finding and applying for scholarships, and in addressing loan debt.

Annually, Memphis Theological Seminary participates in a survey of graduating students administered by ATS. Below you will find a link to the results of the 2023-2024 survey.

Graduating Student Survey Link

As required by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), if a student is unable to resolve any grievance at the institutional level, the student may contact the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, 404 James Robertson Pkwy #1900, Nashville, TN 37219 or at 615-741-5293. Complaints can be submitted at THEC’s website. THEC also receives complaints related to distance education delivery of courses as it relates to the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).

If a student is not satisfied with the response to a grievance and believes that the Seminary is out of compliance with the criteria, the student may file a complaint in writing with the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, 10 Summit Park Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1103. The complaint policy can be reviewed at ATS’s website.

A student may also file a complaint with the Seminary’s institutional accrediting agency, SACSCOC. Information can be found at their website. The Electronic Complaint Form can be completed online or a hard copy can be requested and mailed to President, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097.