To ensure that our educational programs have their intended impact for the good of the church and world, Lancaster Seminary assesses the effectiveness of its programs.
One of the ways we do this is to ask our graduating students how they think we did during their time with us. The instrument we use for this is the Association of Theological Schools Graduating Student Questionnaire, which is used by 120-140 accredited seminaries of all types, sizes, and denominations across the United States and Canada. It asks graduates to rate aspects of the education they received and their experience of the school using a scale from 1 (worst) to 5 (best).
Here is a selection of key scores that illustrate Lancaster's educational effectiveness in ministerial skills preparation, and data on our graduation, placement and loan repayment rates.
2013-2014 Academic Year
Scale: 1 = very dissatisfied 2 = dissatisfied 3 = neutral 4 = satisfied 5 = very satisfied
Educational Satisfaction and Effectiveness
| Overall Experience during Theological Program | MDiv Graduates of Lancaster | MDiv Graduates of All Seminaries | All Graduates of Lancaster | All Graduates of All Seminaries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I have been satisfied with my academic experiences here | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.4 |
| Field education / internship has been a helpful experience | 4.3 | 4.2 | 3.6 | 3.9 |
| Faculty were supportive and understanding | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| I have felt accepted within this school community | 3.8 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 4.3 |
| I have grown spiritually | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.4 |
| My faith is stronger than when I came | 3.8 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 4.3 |
| My personal faith has been respected | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.4 |
| Individuals of other faith traditions have been respected. | 3.7 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 4.2 |
| I know at least one faculty member well | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.3 |
| I have been able to integrate the theology and practice of ministry | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.0 | 4.4 |
| The school has tried to be an inclusive community | 3.8 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.2 |
| I have come to know students from other ethnic groups | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.3 |
| I have made good friends here | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.3 |
| Seminary was a good experience for my spouse / family | 3.2 | 3.6 | 3.2 | 3.6 |
| Commuting has increased the time it took to complete the program | 3.0 | 2.7 | 2.9 | 2.7 |
| I have been able to manage financially | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 3.7 |
| I have been able to manage financially | 2.8 | 3.7 | 3.1 | 3.8 |
| If I had it to do over, I would still come here | 3.9 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 4.4 |
2013-2014 Academic Year
Scale: 1 = very dissatisfied 2 = dissatisfied 3 = neutral 4 = satisfied 5 = very satisfied
| Educational Effectiveness in Facilitating Skill Areas | MDiv Graduates of Lancaster | MDiv Graduates of All Seminaries | All Graduates of Lancaster | All Graduates of All Seminaries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ability to preach well | 3.4 | 4.1 | 3.6 | 4.0 |
| Ability to use and interpret Scripture | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.4 |
| Knowledge of church polity / canon law | 3.5 | 3.9 | 3.5 | 3.7 |
| Ability to give spiritual direction | 3.4 | 3.9 | 3.6 | 3.9 |
| Ability to teach well | 3.6 | 4.0 | 3.7 | 4.0 |
| Knowledge of church doctrine and history | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| Ability to lead others | 3.8 | 4.0 | 3.8 | 4.0 |
| Ability to conduct worship / liturgy | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.6 | 3.8 |
| Ability to interact effectively with those of religious traditions other than my own | 3.8 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Ability to work effectively within my own religious tradition | 3.8 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
| Awareness and appreciation of the globalized context in which ministry is practiced | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 41. |
| Ability to work effectively with both women and men | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.2 |
| Ability to interact effectively with those from cultural and racial/ethnic contexts other than my own | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Ability to relate social issues to faith | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.2 |
| Ability in pastoral counseling | 3.5 | 3.9 | 3.6 | 3.9 |
| Ability to administer a parish | 2.7 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 3.4 |
| Knowledge of Christian philosophy and ethics | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.1 |
| Ability to think theologically | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.5 |
| Ability to integrate insights from science into theology and ministry | 2.9 | 3.6 | 3.3 | 3.7 |
| Ability to integrate ecological concerns into theology and ministry | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.6 |
2013-2014 Academic Year
Scale: 1 = very dissatisfied 2 = dissatisfied 3 = neutral 4 = satisfied 5 = very satisfied
| Measure of Educational Effectiveness and Personal Growth | MDiv Graduates of Lancaster | MDiv Graduates of All Seminaries | All Graduates of Lancaster | All Graduates of All Seminaries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empathy for the poor and the oppressed | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.4 | 3.9 |
| Ability to pray | 3.2 | 3.6 | 3.2 | 3.5 |
| Concern about social justice | 3.6 | 4.0 | 3.7 | 3.9 |
| Enthusiasm for learning | 4.0 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.3 |
| Insight into troubles of others | 3.8 | 4.0 | 3.6 | 4.0 |
| Desire to become an authority in my field | 3.7 | 3.9 | 3.7 | 4.0 |
| Trust in God | 3.4 | 4.1 | 3.6 | 4.1 |
| Self-discipline and focus | 3.9 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 4.1 |
| Respect for other religious traditions | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| Respect for my own religious tradition | 3.8 | 4.3 | 3.8 | 4.2 |
| Ability to live my faith in daily life | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.4 | 4.0 |
| Clarity of vocational goals | 3.6 | 3.9 | 3.3 | 3.9 |
| Self-confidence | 3.8 | 4.0 | 3.7 | 4.0 |
| Self-knowledge | 4.0 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 4.2 |
| Strength of spiritual life | 3.4 | 3.9 | 3.5 | 3.9 |
Graduation and Retention Rates
Another way we measure our effectiveness as an educational institution is through our graduation rates and student loan default rates.
National completion rates for Master of Divinity degree students are not available. However, nonscientific estimates suggest that approximately 80% of entering MDiv and MA students graduate from theological schools. Although that figure has not been nationally verified, Lancaster Seminary’s average graduation rate is above that threshold. Our completion rates for master’s level students is well above the average in the area of humanities.
(*) Indicates that this cohort still has students enrolled in the program
National completion rates or nonscientific estimates of completion rates for Doctor of Ministry degree students are not available.
| MASTER OF DIVINITY Entering Year | Orig. Grad Year | Entering Class | Graduated in 3 years or less | Graduated within 4-8 years | Currently Active (2013-14) | Left MDiv Program WD | Left MDiv Program to MA(R) | Changed from MA(R) or Unc. to MDiv | Expected to graduate in May 2014 | % Graduated To Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-06 | 2008 | 31 | 16 | 12 | 3 | 90% | ||||
| 2006-07 | 2009 | 29 | 18 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 86% | |||
| 2007-08 | 2010 | 33 | 19 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 1 | *73% | |
| 2008-09 | 2011 | 24 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 84% | ||||
| 2009-10 | 2012 | 31 | 21 | 3 | 7 | *67% | ||||
| 2010-11 | 2013 | 22 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 5 | *50% | ||
| 2011-12 | 2014 | 31 | 21 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 16 | |||
| Average Graduation Rate for Entering Classes of 2005-2006 through 2008-2009 | 83.25% |
| MASTER OF ARTS (RELIGION) Entering Year | Orig. Grad Year | Entering Class | Graduated 2 years or less | Graduated within 3-6 years | Currently Active (2013-14) | Left MA(R) Program WD | Left MA(R) Program to MDiv | Changed from MDiv to MAR | Expected to graduate in May 2014 | % Graduated To Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-06 | 2007 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 100% | |||||
| 2006-07 | 2008 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 100% | ||||
| 2007-08 | 2009 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 55% | |||
| 2008-09 | 2010 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | *16% | |||
| 2009-10 | 2011 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 87% | ||||
| 2010-11 | 2012 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | *43% | ||||
| 2011-12 | 2013 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | *40% | ||
| 2012-13 | 2014 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Average Graduation Rate for Entering Classes of 2005-2006 through 2007-2008 | 85% |
| DOCTOR OF MINISTRY Entering Year | Orig. Grad Year | Entering Class | Graduated in 4 years or less | Graduated in 5-6 years | Graduated over 6 years | Left Program | Currently Active (2013-14) | Expected to Graduate May 2014 | % Graduated To Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-06 | 2009 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 20% | ||||
| 2006-07 | 2010 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 25% | |||
| 2007-08 | 2011 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 25% | |||
| 2008-09 | 2012 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | *27% | |
| 2009-10 | 2013 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | *40% | |||
| 2010-11 | 2014 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 1 | *22% | ||
| 2011-12 | 2015 | 6 | 2 | 4 | |||||
| 2012-13 | 2016 | 7 | 1 | 6 | |||||
| 2013-14 | 2017 | 9 | 9 | ||||||
| Average Graduation Rate for Entering Classes of 2005-2006 through 2007-2008 | 23% |
Student Loan Default Rate
The default rate of our graduates has been consistently in the single digits, suggesting that our graduates are employed and continue to value the education that they received from Lancaster Seminary.
Updated 17 October 2014
| OFFICIAL 3 YEAR COHORT | PERCENTAGE OF STUDENT LOANS DEFAULTED |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 8.0% |
| 2010 | 4.1% |
| 2011 | 8.1% |
Employment of Seminary Graduates Report
MDiv and MA(R) graduates only.
Updated 17 October 2014
Degree-related employment includes: congregational ministry, chaplaincy, non-profit positions, CPE residency, area-related teaching positions, and related graduate studies. These data are based upon our communications with these graduates and information they have shared with us. In a few cases, we have lost contact with the graduates and have been unable to substantiate their use of their degree.
These figures also include full-time and part-time positions. Conclusive data on income from the positions are not available.
| On Graduation Day | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number of Students Who Graduated | 30 | 30 | 23 | 29 | 24 | |
| Who Reported Degree-Related Employment | 43% | 27% | 18% | 45% | 42% | |
| Who Did Not Report Employment | 47% | 63% | 78% | 55% | 58% | |
| Who Reported Employment Not Related to Seminary Degree | 10% | 10% | 4% | 0% | 0% |
| As of October 2014 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Number of Students Who Graduated | 30 | 30 | 23 | 29 | 24 | |
| Who Hold Degree-Related Employment | 80% | 90% | 74% | 79% | 75% | |
| Who Are Not Employed | n/a | n/a | n/a | 10.5% | 12.5% | |
| Who Are Employed in Unrelated Position | n/a | n/a | n/a | 10.5% | 12.5% |
