Association of Theological Schools

Association of Theological Schools is an organization of seminaries and other graduate schools that provides accreditation and support to its member institutions, which include Andover Newton Theological School, Bangor Theological Seminary, and Candler School of Theology. The organization has a long history, dating back to its founding in 1918 by Newton Theological Institution, General Theological Seminary, and other prominent seminaries such as Yale Divinity School and Harvard Divinity School. The Association of Theological Schools is a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and works closely with other organizations, including the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature. Its members also participate in events such as the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting.

● History

The Association of Theological Schools was founded in 1918 by a group of seminaries that sought to establish standards for theological education and to provide a framework for accreditation. The organization's early members included Newton Theological Institution, General Theological Seminary, Yale Divinity School, and Harvard Divinity School, as well as other prominent seminaries such as Union Theological Seminary (New York City) and Princeton Theological Seminary. Over the years, the organization has grown to include over 270 member institutions, including Vanderbilt University Divinity School, Duke University Divinity School, and University of Chicago Divinity School. The Association of Theological Schools has also developed relationships with other organizations, such as the National Association of Church Business Administration and the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, and its members participate in events such as the National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.

● Membership

The Association of Theological Schools has a diverse membership that includes seminaries and other graduate schools from a wide range of Christian denominations, including Catholic Church, Episcopal Church (United States), Presbyterian Church (USA), and United Methodist Church. Member institutions also include interdenominational schools such as Fuller Theological Seminary and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, as well as evangelical schools such as Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Dallas Theological Seminary. The organization's members are located throughout the United States and Canada, and include schools such as Regent College, McGill University, and University of Toronto. Many of its members are also affiliated with other organizations, such as the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.

● Accreditation

The Association of Theological Schools provides accreditation to its member institutions, which is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. The organization's accreditation process involves a thorough review of an institution's academic programs, faculty, and resources, as well as a site visit by a team of evaluators. The Association of Theological Schools also provides accreditation to institutions that offer distance education programs, such as online degrees and hybrid programs, and its members include schools such as Liberty University and Grand Canyon University. The organization works closely with other accrediting agencies, such as the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, to ensure that its member institutions meet high standards of quality.

● Commission on Accrediting

The Commission on Accrediting is the accrediting arm of the Association of Theological Schools, and is responsible for evaluating and accrediting the organization's member institutions. The Commission is composed of theological educators and other experts in theological education, and includes representatives from institutions such as University of Notre Dame, Duke University, and Emory University. The Commission uses a set of accreditation standards that are designed to ensure that institutions provide high-quality theological education and prepare students for ministry and other forms of Christian service. The Commission also works closely with other organizations, such as the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada and the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education.

● Institutional Membership Criteria

To be eligible for membership in the Association of Theological Schools, an institution must meet certain criteria, including having a clear mission statement and a commitment to theological education. The institution must also have a faculty that is qualified to teach in its academic programs, and must provide resources such as libraries and technology to support student learning. The institution must also be accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the Middle States Commission on Higher Education or the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The Association of Theological Schools also requires its member institutions to undergo a periodic review process, which includes a self-study and a site visit by a team of evaluators from institutions such as University of California, Berkeley and University of Michigan.

● Programs and Services

The Association of Theological Schools provides a range of programs and services to its member institutions, including workshops and conferences on topics such as theological education, faculty development, and institutional assessment. The organization also provides consulting services to help institutions improve their academic programs and administrative operations, and offers grants and other forms of support to institutions that are seeking to develop new programs or initiatives. The Association of Theological Schools also works closely with other organizations, such as the Lilly Endowment and the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, to provide resources and support to its member institutions, including Wheaton College (Illinois) and Asbury Theological Seminary. Many of its members also participate in events such as the Annual Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature and the American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting.