Overview

The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) is a membership organization of more than 250 graduate schools that conduct post-baccalaureate professional and academic degree programs to educate persons for the practice of ministry and for teaching and research in the theological disciplines.

The Association at a Glance  

Core Areas of Work

Targeted Areas of Work 2004–2010

Mission

The mission of The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada is to promote the improvement and enhancement of theological schools to the benefit of communities of faith and the broader public.

Membership

There are three categories of membership in the Association: Accredited Membership, Candidate for Accredited Membership, and Associate Membership. The 254 member schools include Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox graduate schools of theology that reflect a broad spectrum of doctrinal, ecclesiastical, and theological perspectives.

Commission on Accrediting

Accreditation is conducted by the Board of Commissioners on behalf of the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools. The Commission accredits institutions and approves degree programs offered by accredited schools. The Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and by the nongovernmental Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) for the accreditation of graduate, professional theological schools in the United States. The Commission, through its Board, works cooperatively with regional accrediting associations in the U.S., other professional associations, state departments of education, and other allied organizations in Canada and the United States.

History

The Association began in 1918 as a conference of theological schools that met biennially. In 1936 it became an Association, adopted standards for judging quality, and in 1938 established its first list of accredited schools. In 1956 it incorporated and secured a full-time staff. From its beginning, the Association has been representative in membership of both the United States and Canada. In 1964 it began publication of the journal, Theological Education. The Fact Book on Theological Education has been published annually since 1969. In 1990, the Association moved from Ohio to its present offices in Pittsburgh. In 1996, the Association adopted new accrediting standards.