Educational Effectiveness

The faculty of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School is committed to designing effective programs and the concomitant evaluation of those programs in accordance with the mission of TEDS.

 

Educational Effectiveness for TEDS


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.

Applicants and Enrollees (ATS 2018)

Basic Programs Oriented Toward Ministerial Leadership
MDiv129 Applicants—101 Acceptances—51 Enrollees
MA in _______ (Specific)34 Applicants—28 Acceptances—21 Enrollees
NOTE: This includes MA in Mental Health Counseling, Counseling Ministries, Ministry, Urban Ministry
Basic Programs Oriented Toward General Theological Studies
MA178 Applicants—126 Acceptances—74 Enrollees
Advanced Programs Oriented Toward Ministerial Leadership
DMin36 Applicants—27 Acceptances—21 Enrollees
Advanced Programs Primarily Oriented Toward Theological Research and Teaching
ThM25 Applicants—16 Acceptances—10 Enrollees
PhD79 Applicants—42 Acceptances—17 Enrollees

Completion Data for Graduates (ATS 2018)

Part A. Master of Divinity Degree Program (Standard A. MDiv)
1. Number of students who entered this program 6 years ago this fall79
2. Number of students from that group who have since graduated50
3. Graduation rate for this program63.29%
Part B. Professional MA Degree Programs (Standards B/C. MA in ___/MCM, etc.)
1. Total number of students who entered these programs 4 years ago this fall35
2. Total number of students from that group who have since graduated17
3. Graduation rate for these programs48.57%
Part C. Academic MA Degree Programs (Standard D. MA, MTS, etc.)
1. Total number of students who entered these programs 4 years ago this fall45
2. Total number of students from that group who have since graduated21
3. Graduation rate for these programs46.67%
Part D. Doctor of Ministry Degree Program (Standard E. DMin)
1. Number of students who entered this program 6 years ago this fall12
2. Number of students from that group who have graduated2
3. Graduation rate for this program16.67%
Part E. Other Professional Doctorate Programs (Standards F/G/H. EdD, DMiss, etc.)
1. Total number of students who entered these programs 6 years ago this fall0
2. Total number of students from that group who have since graduated0
3. Graduation rate for these programs0.00%
Part F. Advanced Masters Programs (Standard I. ThM, STM, etc.)
1. Total number of students who entered these programs 2 years ago this fall10
2. Total number of students from that group who have since graduated6
3. Graduation rate fro these programs60.00%
Part G. Advanced Doctoral Programs (Standard J. PhD, ThD)
1. Total number of students who entered these programs 8 years ago this fall20
2. Total number of students from that group who have since graduated11
3. Graduation rate for these programs55.00%

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.

MDiv Graduates
Pastor/Priest/Minister31.30%
Associate Minister/Pastor21.70%
Educational Minister/Director3.00%
Youth Work or Ministry5.80%
Musician or liturgist0.60%
Spiritual Director0.70%
Supply ministry0.20%
Interim ministry0.60%
Church Planting/Evangelism2.90%
Unsure (in congregation)7.20%
Spiritual Direction0.20%
Campus Ministry1.20%
Healthcare Chaplaincy4.90%
Military Chaplaincy0.50%
Prison Ministry0.20%
Specialized Ministry: Other1.10%
Missionary Service0.80%
Church Administration0.30%
Secondary/Prep School Teaching1.40%
Seminary Teaching0.50%
Other Teaching/Admin in Higher Ed.0.70%
Social Work/Social Services1.20%
Social Justice Ministry1.00%
Pastoral Counselor0.30%
Exec/Admin of Non-Profit0.70%
Exec/Admin of For-Profit0.40%
Further Graduate Study2.90%
Clerical/Office/Sales0.30%
Medicine/Engineering/Law0.30%
Self-employed0.70%
Other2.70%
Undecided3.40%
TOTAL100.00%
 
Job Prospects
Offered a New Position35.00%
Not Offered a Position37.90%
Continue in the Same Position18.60%
Seek Further Study7.20%
Other1.20%
TOTAL100%

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

Pastor/Priest/Minister26.70%
Associate Minister/Pastor14.80%
Education Minister/Director3.70%
Youth Work or Ministry4.80%
Musician or liturgist0.80%
Spiritual Director1.00%
Supply Ministry0.20%
Interim Ministry0.50%
Church Planting/Evangelism2.60%
Unsure (in congregation)6.40%
Spiritual Direction0.60%
Campus Ministry1.00%
Healthcare Chaplaincy3.50%
Military Chaplaincy0.50%
Prison Ministry0.20%
Specialized Ministry: Other1.40%
Missionary Service1.50%
Church Administration0.50%
Secondary/Prep School Teaching2.90%
Seminary Teaching1.50%
Other Teaching/Admin in Higher Ed.2.50%
Social Work/Social Services2.80%
Social Justice Ministry1.10%
Pastoral Counselor0.80%
Exec/Admin of Non-Profit1.40%
Exec/Admin of For-Profit0.60%
Further Graduate Study3.10%
Homemaking/Childcare0.10%
Clerical/Office/Sales0.50%
Medicine/Engineering/Law0.80%
Self-employed1.60%
Other5.00%
Undecided4.60%
TOTAL100.00%
  
Job Prospects
Offered a New Position29.20%
Not Offered a Position32.70%
Continue in the Same Position25.40%
Seek Further Study8.60%
Other4.00%
TOTAL100%

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.

Ministry in same congregation as before graduation47.10%
Ministry in another congregation29.40%
Campus ministry or youth worker (not in parish/congregation)5.90%
Missionary service (foreign/home)5.90%
Other teaching or administration in higher education5.90%
Other5.90%
TOTAL100%

First Professional Position Upon Graduation (MA Professional)

Ministry in another congregation50%
Social work / social services50%
TOTAL100%

First Professional Position Upon Graduation (MA Academic)

Ministry in same congregation as before graduation20%
Ministry in another congregation10%
Teaching in primary or secondary education30%
Social work / social services20%
Clerical/office/sales10%
Other10%
TOTAL100%

First Professional Position Upon Graduation (All Others)

Ministry in same congregation as before graduation16.70%
Ministry in another congregation16.70%
Missionary service (foreign / home)16.70%
Teaching in primary or secondary education16.70%
Teaching or administration in a seminary33.30%
TOTAL100%

First Professional Position Upon Graduation (All Degree Programs)

Ministry in same congregation as before graduation29.70%
Ministry in another congregation24.30%
Campus ministry or youth worker (not in parish/congregation)2.70%
Missionary service (foreign / home)5.40%
Teaching in primary or secondary education10.80%
Teaching or administration in a seminary5.40%
Other teaching or administration in higher education2.70%
Social work/ social services10.80%
Clerical/office/sales2.70%
Other5.40%
TOTAL100%

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.

MDiv
Working at graduation52.90%
Less than six months35.30%
One to two years11.80%
TOTAL100%
MA Professional
Working at graduation75%
Less than six months25%
Did not pursue paid professional position10%
Have not attained paid professional position10%
TOTAL100%
MA Academic
Working at graduation20%
Less than six months40%
One to two years20%
Did not pursue paid professional position10%
Have not attained paid professional position10%
TOTAL100%
All Others
Working at graduation66.70%
Less than six months33.30%
TOTAL100%
Total—Across All Degree Programs
Working at graduation48.60%
Less than six months35.10%
One to two years10.80%
Did not pursue paid professional position2.70%
Have not attained paid professional position2.70%
TOTAL100%

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

A Safe PlaceZion, IL
Africa International UniversityNairobi, Kenya
Alexian BrothersArlington Heights, IL
Arbor CircleGrand Rapids, MI
Assumption Bible InstituteAssumption, Paraguay
Bangkok Bible SeminaryBangkok, Thailand
Belkin House – The Salvation ArmyVancouver, Canada
Blue Line ChurchChicago, IL
Cherry Hill Counseling CenterLake Zurich, IL
Christ Community EFCA ChurchKansas City, MO
Christian High School teachers in various localesPennsylvania
Church planting in various denominations both in the USA and internationally
Church staff and pastoring in various denominations both in the USA and internationally
Cook School of Intercultural Studies, Biola UniversityLa Miranda, CA
Cornerstone Counseling Center of ChicagoChicago, IL
Counselors in private practice 
Covenant CollegeGeorgia
Covenant Theological SeminarySt. Louis, MO
Detroit Baptist SeminaryDetroit, MI
DuPage County Health DepartmentLombard, IL
Eden’s Baptist ChurchCambridge, England
Evangel SeminaryHong Kong
Family Development CenterLake Bluff, IL
Glenview Youth ServicesGlenview, IL
Grosvenor Road Baptist ChurchDublin, Ireland
Jefferson Center for Mental HealthLakewood, CO
Kuyper CollegeGrand Rapids, MI
Lake County Mental HealthLake County, IL
Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA
Lilly PharmaceuticalsTaiwan and Indiana
Lincoln Christian UniveristyLincoln, IL
Logos Evangelical SeminaryPasadena, CA
Logos SeminaryLos Angeles, CA
Moody Bible InstituteChicago, IL
Moody Theological SeminaryChicago, IL
New Heights Christian Fellowship Wesleyan ChurchFarmington, MN
Ohio GuidestoneCleveland, OH
Presbyterian Homes Retirement CommunityIllinois
Rawhide Boys RanchNew London, WI
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Boyce CollegeLouisville, KY
Spring Tree CounselingEvanston, IL
Taylor UniversityUpland, IN
ThresholdsChicago, IL
Torrey Honors Institute, Biola UniversityLa Miranda, CA
Trinity International UniversityDeerfield, IL
University of St. ThomasHouston, TX
US Army 
Vancouver Chinese Baptist ChurchVancouver
Wheaton CollegeWheaton, IL
Wycliffe/Tyndale Summer Training ProgramToronto, ON

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.

Current Position of Respondents Serving in a Congregation or Parish (AQ 2017)
Sole pastor, priest, minister22.20%
Interim minister5.60%
Other11.10%
Head of staff (priest or minister supervising other clergy staff)5.60%
Co-pastor5.60%
Associate or assistant pastor, priest, or minister33.30%
Minister or director of Christian/religious education5.60%
Youth work or ministry5.60%
Spiritual director5.60%
TOTAL100%
Current Employment Setting of Respondents Not Serving in a Congregation or Parish (AQ 2017)
Campus ministry or youth worker (not in congregation)4.20%
Hospital/hospice/healthcare chaplaincy4.20%
Other specialized ministry (not in a congregation)8.30%
Missionary service (foreign/home)8.30%
Teaching in primary or secondary education12.50%
Teaching or administration in a seminary4.20%
Other teaching or administration in higher education8.30%
Social work/social services8.30%
Clerical/office/sales4.20%
Self-employed4.20%
Currently not employed33.30%
TOTAL100%

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.

Very well4
Very well in some areas, lacking in others3
Lacking in key areas2
Very inadequately1
How well theological education prepared MDiv alumni/ae for current work (AQ T-24)
 AverageS.D.
Currently working in a congregation3.30.6
Currently not working in a congregation3.20.7
Change in Theological Position Since Graduating
Current Theological Position
Very Conservative12.50%
Conservative60.40%
Moderate22.90%
Liberal2.10%
Very Liberal2.10%
TOTAL100%
Change in Theological Position Since Graduating
More Conservative10.40%
Less Conservative12.50%
More Liberal6.30%
Less Liberal2.10%
About the same68.80%
TOTAL100%
Frequency of Respondents’ Contact with Faculty, Administrators, Staff and Classmates
Frequency of ContactWith FacultyWith Classmates
Frequently8.30%14.60%
Occasionally33.30%52.10%
Seldom45.80%20.80%
Never12.50%12.50%
TOTAL100%100%
Very effective4
Effective3
Ineffective2
Very ineffective1
MDiv alumni/ae working in a congregation perception of “effectiveness of education in four areas of study” 2012 (AQ T-21)
 AverageS.D.
Understanding of religious heritage3.60.7
Understanding of the cultural context of religious work30.8
Development in personal and spiritual formation2.91
Capacity for ministerial and public leadership3.10.8

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.

MDiv alumni/ae who are ordained or licensed 2012 (AQ T-8)
Ordained or equivalent status39.8%
Licensed, but not ordained18.3%
Neither41.9%
TOTAL100%

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.

Area in which TEDS “Best prepared you” (AQ -#4)
Building relationships with people5.1%
Counseling strategies and techniques7.9%
Financial management0.6%
General leadership6.8%
Missions/evangelism understanding14.7%
Personal spiritual formation10.2%
Preaching24.3%
Other30.4%
TOTAL100%
Area in which TEDS “could have better prepared you” (AQ -#3)
Building relationships with people9.6%
Counseling strategies and techniques7.9%
Financial management6.8%
General leadership23.7%
Missions/evangelism understanding2.3%
Personal spiritual formation10.2%
Preaching4.5%
Working with church boards14.1
Other20.9%
TOTAL100%

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.

Interactions with faculty11.20%
Clinical training2.80%
Interactions with faculty17.50%
Experiences in ministry9.80%
Multiethnic/cultural contacts7.70%
Introductions to different perspectives10.50%
Spiritual direction/formation on other faith-building events/activities7.00%
Interactions with students13.30%
Chapel/worship0.70%
Personal life experiences9.10%
Interreligious/ecumenical interaction2.80%
Cross-cultural engagement4.20%
Community life of school2.80%
Other0.70%
TOTAL100%

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.

Those currently in a congregation
No degree earned81.9%
Currently earning a degree9.6%
Degree earned8.4%
TOTAL99.9%

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.

Currently in Congregation
Definitely yes66.70%
Probably yes29.20%
Uncertain4.20%
TOTAL100%
  
Not in Congregation
Definitely yes54.20%
Probably yes41.70%
Definitely not4.20%
TOTAL100%