The faculty of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) is committed to designing effective programs and the concomitant evaluation of those programs in accordance with the mission of the School “to serve the church of the Living God by equipping servants for the work of the gospel of Christ worldwide” (catalog). As such, there are a variety of academic programs offered at the school with varied purposes, objectives, and student learning outcomes.

Indicators of program effectiveness for these programs are numerous. Such indicators include both institutional and participant self-reported data that help to ensure congruence of vocational intention and theological education.

To aid in consistent and reliable reporting, some of the evaluative processes include reports to the Association of Theological Schools, our professional accrediting association. The institutional Annual Report to ATS (noted below as ATS), and the ATS Alumni/ae Questionnaire (administered in Spring 2017 to alumni/ae from Spring 2012 – Spring 2017, noted AQ) provide some of these data. The regular administration of these studies also enables longitudinal analysis of program effectiveness.

The following is a summary of those reports. Specific questions about the data, or its reporting and analysis may be directed to the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Office of the Dean ([email protected] or 847.317.8086). These data are updated annually early in the calendar year after the filing of the annual ATS report.

Completion Data for Graduates (ATS 2018)

Position Expected After Graduation for MDiv students (GSQ 2016-2017)

These data provided by new graduates reveal expectations of initial ministry position by degree area.

First Professional Position Upon Graduation (MDiv) – Alumni Questionnaire 2017

In a similar fashion, these data provided by alumni/ae reveal the actual first professional posting.

Alumni/ae Length of Time to Obtain First Paid Professional Position (AQ 2017)

An important criterion to understand the length of time necessary to find the first appointment. TEDS offers placement services for all graduates, including regular visits by a variety of church and denominational officials.

Following is a partial list of recent Trinity Evangelical Divinity School graduates service placements:

Alumni/ae Current Employment Setting

An important criterion to understand the length of time necessary to find the first appointment. TEDS offers placement services for all graduates, including regular visits by a variety of church and denominational officials.

MDiv Alumni/ae, Congregations, and the Church
2017

MDiv alumni in particular are many times practicioners in the congregational context.  These data reveal their perceptions of preparation and educational effectiveness.

As the standard professional program for ministerial leadership, and thus ordination and licensing, these data reveal the MDiv alumni/ae pursuing such.  It should be noted many alumni are not ordained until serving several years in the ministry, and this sample includes those who completed their MDiv in the past six years.

Alumni/ae: Preparation for Professional Work
Spring 2012 

As a seminary preparing persons for professional work in a variety of settings, the following notes areas of particular preparation.

Three Most Lasting Influences of Education Other Than Course Work 2017

Program effectiveness is measured not only in the classroom but beyond as well.  These data note the broader impact of program effectiveness.

Alumni/ae: Respondents Earning or Having Earned an Additional Degree (AQ T-4)
Spring 2012 

Many TEDS program participants expect to pursue an additional degree.  These indicate those pursuing further education.

MDiv Alumni/ae: Percentage of Respondents Who Would Choose to Attend the Same Seminary Again 2017 (AQ T-28)

If a TEDS education was not effective, and the program was deficient, there would be little interest in “attending the same seminary again.”  These data reveal a definite interest in attending TEDS again.