Introduction

In keeping with our mission, Taylor Seminary is committed to developing Christ-minded leaders who make a difference in the world. In keeping with our commitment to the standards of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), we set out objectives for our degree programs and measure our effectiveness in serving our students with excellence.

Taylor Seminary has just conducted a survey of some current students and its graduates of the last five years, and some of the survey results provide our most current and quantitative measurements of the seminary’s educational effectiveness.

Satisfaction with the Educational Process

To obtain the most informed data available, the surveys were sent to:

• Students who have attended in the last five years (most of whom would have hopefully experienced our revised programs and delivery systems), have completed a minimum of nine credit hours, and all who have taken online and offsite courses in the last five years (because their numbers are relatively small); and
• Alumni who graduated in the last five years.

Those sections of the survey most directly related to the educational (teaching and learning) process reveal the following for current students.

THE SURVEY QUESTIONS OR STATEMENTS		PERCENTAGE THAT AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED
The objectives for the program in which I am registered are meeting my educational needs.		95.50%
I am satisfied with the degree to which the courses I am taking at Taylor Seminary are increasing my understanding of:
o   The Bible		91%
o   Christian theology & church history		97.50%
o   The society in which I expect to minister		88.90%
I am satisfied with the degree to which the courses I am taking at Taylor Seminary are helping me:
o   Grow spiritually		95.50%
o   Develop moral integrity		90.60%
o   Mature emotionally		84%
o   Formulate a distinctly Christian worldview		93.1
Taylor Seminary supports and encourages the participation of women:
o   In classroom discussion		91%
o   In student government		84%       (9% don’t know)
o   In chapel programs		77.2%   (15.9% don’t know)
o   In ministry leadership		72.7%   (15.9% don’t know)
Taylor Seminary supports and encourages the participation of ethnic minorities
o   In classroom discussion		79.9%   (11.1% don’t know)
o   In student government		63.6 %   (25% don’t know)
o   In chapel programs		63.5%   (25% don’t know)
o   In ministry leadership		63.5%   (22.7% don’t know)
Instructional methods are sensitive to the varied cultural contexts of the students		84.30%
Instructional methods are sensitive to the varied faith communities of the students		88.50%
Instructional methods are sensitive to the varied learning styles of students		73.20%
My seminary education is effective in each of the following areas of study:
o   Providing a comprehensive understanding of theology, biblical studies & church history		95.50%
o   Providing an understanding of the cultural contexts of ministry		91%
o   Providing development in personal and spiritual formation		95.50%
o   Cultivating capacity for ministerial and and public leadership		93.30%
o   Integrating materials from the various theological disciplines, field education and personal experience		84.40%
The extracurricular programs of Taylor Seminary:
o   Encourage spiritual growth		71.1 %   (20% not applicable)
o   Develop ministerial skills		62.1% (24.4% not applicable)
On-line courses provide an effective mode of teaching and learning		73.2% (11.1% not applicable)
Weekend courses provide an effective mode of teaching and learning		73.2%   (13.3 don’t know)
One-week courses provide an effective mode of teaching and learning		73.3% (15.5% not applicable)
I received the needed technical support to negotiate these courses		70.5 % (13.3% not applicable)

Placement Data

When the alumni of the past five years were asked: “If you were looking for employment, how long did it take after graduation for you to obtain your first paid ministry position,” they responded:

• 40.6%  I was already working when I graduated from seminary
• 25%     I did not pursue a paid professional position
• 18.7%  Less than six months
• 6.2%    One to two years
• 6.2%    I have not attained a paid professional position
• 3.1%    Longer than two years
  

Graduation Percentage Rate

Based on the number of students that entered the following programs since 2005, minus those who dropped out and those who are still with us, the percentage that have graduated are as follows: the M.Div. 43%; the MTS 66%; and the MA 100%. Why there is such a difference between these degree programs is something that we are still attempting to analyze.

Retention Rates in all Programs

TAYLOR SEMINARY RETENTION DATA

 

The lower retention rate for the fall of 2012 is not a final figure. Since these numbers were produced in September, additional students have continued to register for one week intensive modules that are offered in October and November. January Intersession courses will also be included in the final numbers for the Fall Semester 2012.

 

Conclusion

 

An analysis of these data would require at least two to three times the space needed to present the data itself. My impression is that these reports are to be relatively brief. Therefore, we are just letting the data speak for itself and trust that meets the requirements of this report.