Commission on Accrediting

The Commission on Accrediting ("Commission") of ATS is a membership organization of schools that are Accredited Members and Candidates for Accredited Membership of The Association of Theological Schools. Accredited Members are institutions that, after review on the basis of the Commission's standards, are voted by the Board of Commissioners ("board") into Accredited Membership. Candidate for Accredited Membership schools are currently engaged in a self-study as part of their review by the Board of Commissioners for initial accreditation. The member schools conduct post-baccalaureate degree programs designed to prepare persons for a wide variety of positions of ministerial leadership and teaching and research in the theological disciplines.

The Commission on Accrediting is recognized by the United States Secretary of Education for the accreditation and pre-accreditation of freestanding theological schools, as well as schools affiliated with larger institutions, that offer graduate professional education for ministry and graduate study of theology. It is also recognized by the current non-governmental organization in the United States that provides the venue for recognition of accrediting bodies, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Accreditation is governed by standards adopted by the member schools of the Commission. These standards cover a broad range of institutional issues and require the approval of degree programs offered by member schools. All decisions regarding accredited status are made by the Board of Commissioners, which is elected by the Commission membership. The board meets semi-annually. The work of the board and accreditation in general are conducted according to procedures formally adopted by the Commission member schools. The standards of accreditation and the procedures are published both in electronic form on this Web site and in Part 1 of the ATS Bulletin.