Accreditation
Accreditation
The University of Dubuque Theological Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, with the following degree programs are approved: Doctor of Ministry, Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Mission and Discipleship, Master of Arts in Reformed Theology. UDTS is approved for a Comprehensive Distance Education Program. The Master of Arts in Ministry degree is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission through the University of Dubuque.
The seminary is a member of the Committee on Theological Education of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and is approved by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church Division of Higher Education and Ministry for residential studies. The MDiv degree from UDTS is accepted as a preparation for ordination by most denominations.
The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada,
10 Summit Park Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15275
412.788.6505
www.ats.edu
The Higher Learning Commission
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 240
Chicago, IL 60602
312.263.0456
www.hlccommission.org
Public Notice of Evaluation Visit
The University of Dubuque Theological Seminary is hosting a comprehensive evaluation visit for reaffirmation of accreditation by the ATS Commission on Accrediting on November 11-14, 2024. 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 Accrediting@ats.edu at least two weeks before the visit. Comments may also or instead be sent in writing to Ms. Jill Dodds, Assistant to the Dean of the Seminary, JDodds@dbq.edu. All comments will be shared with the onsite evaluation committee.
Educational Effectiveness
The University of Dubuque Theological Seminary is committed to serving the one God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - and forming God's people for servant leadership in ministry and mission. The seminary regularly measures our educational effectiveness through a number of tools, including the ATS Graduating Student Questionnaire, matriculation/graduation rates, and placement.
Graduation Rate:
MDiv: 81.9%
MA: 80.0%
DMin: 62.5%
Placement Rate:
87.5% of graduates were placed in employment settings or further education in 2023.
Results of the ATS Graduating Student Questionnaire 2022-23: |
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| MEASURE OF EDUCATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS AND PERSONAL GROWTH | ||||
| UDTS vs ALL THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS 2022-2023 | ||||
| UDTS | All Theological Schools | |||
| By Degree Program and Educational Context | Residential | Distance | All ATS | PC(USA) |
|
|
N = 6 | N = 14 | N = 5,732 | N = 339 |
|
|
Avg | Avg | Avg | Avg |
| Empathy for the poor and oppressed | 3.7 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.3 |
| Ability to pray | 4.3 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 3.4 |
| Concern about social justice | 3.3 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.3 |
| Enthusiasm for learning | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.3 |
| Insight into troubles of others | 3.3 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| Desire to become an authority in my field | 3.3 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 3.9 |
| Trust in God | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 3.9 |
| Self-discipline and focus | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.0 |
| Respect for other religious traditions | 3.8 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| Respect for my own religious tradition | 3.3 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.1 |
| Ability to live one's faith in daily life | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 3.9 |
| Clarity of vocational goals | 3.3 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 3.9 |
| Self-confidence | 3.7 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.0 |
| Self-knowledge | 3.7 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.1 |
| Strength of spiritual life | 3.8 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 3.7 |
| 1 - Not at all effective | 2 - Not very effective | 3 - Somewhat effective | 4 - Effective | 5 - Very effective | ||||
| EDUCATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS IN FACILITATING SKILL AREAS | ||||
| UDTS VS. ALL THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS 2022-2023 | ||||
| UDTS | All Theological Schools | |||
| Residential | Distance | All ATS | PC(USA) | |
| By Degree Program and Skill Areas | N = 6 | N = 14 | N = 5,721 | N = 359 |
| Avg | Avg | Avg | Avg | |
| Ability to preach well | 3.5 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.0 |
| Ability to use and interpret Scripture | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.3 |
| Knowledge of church polity | 3.7 | 4.4 | 3.9 | 3.7 |
| Ability to give spiritual direction | 3.8 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 3.7 |
| Ability to teach well | 4.3 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.0 |
| Knowledge of church doctrine and history | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.0 |
| Ability to lead others | 4.3 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.0 |
| Ability to conduct worship | 3.8 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 3.9 |
| Ability to interact effectively with those of religious traditions other than my own | 3.7 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.0 |
| Ability to work effectively within my own religious tradition | 3.7 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.1 |
| Ability to interact effectively with those from cultural and racial/ethnic contexts other than my own | 3.5 | 3.7 | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| Awareness and appreciation of the globalized context in which ministry is practiced | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.2 |
| Ability to work effectively with both women and men | 3.3 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.3 |
| Ability to relate social issues to faith | 3.5 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.4 |
| Ability in pastoral counseling | 3.7 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 3.8 |
| Ability to administer a parish/congregation | 3.2 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.5 |
| Knowledge of Christian ethics | 3.7 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.0 |
| Ability to think theologically | 3.8 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.5 |
| Ability to integrate insights into theological and ministry | 3.8 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 3.6 |
| Ability to integrate ecological concerns into theology and ministry | 3.8 | 4.2 | 3.8 | 4.0 |
| Knowledge of Christian philosophy | 3.2 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 3.8 |
| 1 - Not at all effective | 2 - Not very effective | 3 - Somewhat effective | 4 - Effective | 5 - Very effective | ||||