Statement of Educational Effectiveness

Perkins School of Theology continually strives to evaluate and improve its academic programs in fulfillment of its mission to prepare women and men for faithful leadership in Christian ministry.  In order to pursue this complex task, Perkins utilizes existing sets of data and has established a process to identify and develop additional sources.

The information in this document is based on three sources:
1. Tracking data on matriculation, academic progress and graduation.
2. Targeted reviews of student performance on key assignments conducted by the faculty Committee on Academic Programs.
3. Graduating students' responses to the Association of Theological Schools Graduating Student Questionnaire. 

Master of Divinity

Recent studies of student performance on the capstone Credo project and sermon assignments have demonstrated that students are successfully developing skills in constructive theological reflection and preaching.  Graduating students consistently report a high degree of satisfaction with their academic program and their experience overall.  In a review of graduate responses for the past five academic years, 59.9% strongly agreed and 33.5% agreed with the statement, "I have been satisfied with my academic experience here."  A study of students entering the M.Div. program in the academic years 2002/2003 through 2008/2009 showed that 58.1% of graduates finished their degree in 4 years or less and 86.8% finished in 5 years or less.

Master of Church Ministries

The recent study of the capstone Credo project also demonstrated that CMM students are successfully developing skills in constructive theological reflection.  CMM graduates also report a high degrew of satisfaction with their academic program and their experience overall.  In their responses for the past five academic years, 60.5% strongly agreed and 34.2% agreed with the statement, "I have been satisfied with my academic experience here."  A study of students entering the CMM program in the academic years 2002/2003 through 2008/2009 showed that 53.4% of graduates finished their degree in 3 years or less and 80.1% finished in 4 years or less.

Master of Sacred Music

MSM students demonstrate their attainment of the learning outcomes for the degree through comprehensive examinations and through a supervised practicum.  MSM students report high degrees of satisfaction with their academic program and their experience overall at levels that parallel the responses of M.Div. and CMM graduates.  A study of students entering the MSM program in the academic years 2002/2003 through 2008/2009 showed that 24% of graduates finished their degree in 2 years or less and 84% finished in 3 years or less.

Master of Theological Studies

Candidates for MTS must present a thesis or summative project demonstrating successful attainment of the degree outcomes.  In their responses for the past five academic years, 64.4% strongly agreed and 25.4% agreed with the statement, "I have been satisfied with my academic experience here."  A review of students entering the MTS program in the academic years 2002/2003 through 2008/2009 showed that 33.6% of graduates finished their degree in 2 years or less and 70% finished in 3 years or less.