Resource Hub
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Setting the Frame: Standards of Accreditation and Evaluation
Heather Hartung, then-ATS Director of Accreditation, outlines how the principle-based ATS Standards of Accreditation center student learning and formation as quality theological education.
KEYWORDS: open access / free access; theological education; ATS Student Data and Resources Consultation (2025); presentation (transcribed); ATS Standards of Accreditation (2020); Commission on Accrediting of ATS (COAATS); ATS Board of Commissioners; quality assurance; planning, evaluation, and educational assessment; slide deck
Student Learning and Formation: Reviewing Standard 3
Stephen R. Graham, ATS Strategic Director of Context and Continuity and Director of Accreditation, examines ATS Standard 3—Student Learning and Formation.
KEYWORDS: open access / free access; ATS Standards of Accreditation (2020); Colloquy article; dimensions of formation; student learning and formation; theological education
Ecumenical and Traditioned Measurement: Measuring Christian Maturation across Distinct Traditions of Christian Spirituality
Article exploring the feasibility of an ecumenical measure of Christian maturation by drawing on five distinct traditions (African American, Anglican, Benedictine, Pentecostal, Reformed) and four navigation strategies.
KEYWORDS: ecumenical spirituality; measurement; psychology of religion/spirituality; spiritual assessment; spiritual formation
A Reflective Guide to Effective Evaluation for Theological Schools
ATS Commission on Accrediting guide presenting a principle-based, practice-oriented framework for institutional and educational evaluation in theological schools.
KEYWORDS: open access / free access; ATS Standards of Accreditation (2020); Checklist for Effective Assessment; educational effectiveness; evaluation and assessment; institutional planning; student learning; student learning outcomes; theological schools
Self-Study Handbook
Handbook approved by the ATS Board of Commissioners in April 2020 and revised in 2023 and 2025 to guide member schools through the comprehensive self-study process for accreditation and reaffirmation.
KEYWORDS: open access / free access; ATS Standards of Accreditation (2020); comprehensive visit for accreditation/reaffirmation; educational effectiveness; institutional evaluation; quality assurance; quality improvement; self-study report; theological schools
Standards of Accreditation (with Self-Study Ideas)
Current ATS Commission Standards, articulating principles and expectations for graduate theological education. This version embeds optional self-study ideas to help schools interpret accrediting requirements and demonstrate alignment.
KEYWORDS: open access / free access; ATS Board of Commissioners; ATS Standards of Accreditation (2020); Commission on Accrediting of ATS (COAATS); comprehensive visit for accreditation/reaffirmation; educational mission and institutional effectiveness; graduate theological schools; mission and vision; planning, evaluation, and educational assessment; self-study ideas; student learning and formation; theological education
An Assessment Workbook for Roman Catholic Seminaries
A two-part resource by NCEA and ATS (2018) comprising a workbook with case studies designed to help Roman Catholic seminaries evaluate student learning and degree program effectiveness.
KEYWORDS: open access / free access; ATS Standards of Accreditation (2012); Catholicism; degree program effectiveness; educational assessment; priestly formation; seminary curriculum; student learning outcomes; workbook resource; case study