The Commission contact information is: The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, 10 Summit Park Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15275, USA; Telephone: 412-788-6505; Fax: 412-788-6510; Website: www.ats.edu.

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.), a non-governmental, nationally recognized organization whose affiliated institutions include elementary school through collegiate institutions offering post-graduate instruction. Accreditation of an institution by the New England Commission of Higher Education indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically applied through a peer group review process.

Inquiries regarding the accreditation status by the Commission should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact:

New England Commission of Higher Education
301 Edgewater Place, Suite 210, Wakefield, MA 01880
(781)-425-7785
E-Mail: [email protected]

Gordon-Conwell is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a nationally recognized organization that accredits master’s and doctoral degree programs in counseling and its specialty areas. Accreditation by CACREP indicates that a graduate counseling program meets or exceeds criteria for the preparation and training of professional counselors.

Gordon‑Conwell evaluates its educational effectiveness using the ATS Graduating Student Questionnaire. Graduating students consistently reported strong growth in core areas of theological education, biblical competency, cross‑cultural awareness, and spiritual formation.

Key Indicators of Learning

Critical Thinking & Fair-Mindedness

• Excellent or Above Average: 79.6%

Understanding and Interpreting Scripture

• Very Helpful or Helpful: 97.5%

Engagement with Cultural & Social Contexts

• Very Helpful or Helpful: 94.2%

Articulating Biblical Truth in Cultural Contexts

• Very Helpful or Helpful: 94.9%

Awareness of the Global Church

• Very Helpful or Helpful: 93%

Vision for God’s Global Redemptive Work

• Very Helpful or Helpful: 96.1%

Commitment to Gospel Proclamation

• Very Helpful or Helpful: 89.8%

Personal Discipleship

• Very Helpful or Helpful: 91.7%

Representative Average Competency Ratings

(1 = Not at all effective, 5 = Very effective; combined across degree programs)

• Enthusiasm for Learning: 4.5
• Trust in God: 4.5
• Insight into Troubles of Others: 4.3
• Self‑Discipline and Focus: 4.3
• Respect for Other Religious Traditions: 4.1
• Ability to Work Effectively Across Cultural Contexts: 4.3
• Ability to Think Theologically: 4.5
• Ability to Use & Interpret Scripture: 4.4

These data points demonstrate consistent, high‑level student development in theological thinking, spiritual maturity, relational intelligence, and ministerial skills.

Graduation and persistence rates reflect both student success and institutional effectiveness in supporting students through to program completion.

Graduation Rates

• MDiv (6 years): 45.95%
• Professional MA (4 years): 52.81%
• Academic MA (4 years): 43.55%
• ThM (2 years): 47.83%
• DMin (6 years): 50%
• Overall Graduation Rate: 48.59%

Persistence Rates

(Students who have graduated or remain enrolled within ATS‑defined timeframes)

• MDiv (6 years): 63.51%
• Professional MA (4 years): 66.29% (MACO, MACC, MACM, [MAGL*])
• Academic MA (4 years): 77.42% (MATS, [MAOT, MANT, MABL*])
• ThM (2 years): 82.61%
• DMin (6 years): 80%
• Overall Persistence Rate: 71.13%

These numbers reflect strong student continuation and completion patterns across degree programs.

*These degrees are no longer offered; they are in teach-out.

Student satisfaction data—also taken from the ATS Graduating Student Questionnaire—reflect strong overall approval of academic experience, community life, and institutional support.

Academic & Faculty Experience (Average Ratings, 1–5 Scale)

• Quality of Teaching: 4.5
• Accessibility of Faculty: 4.3
• Ease of Scheduling Courses: 4.4
• Academic Advising: 4.0

Campus Resources & Services

• Library Access: 4.4
• Library Collection Adequacy: 4.4
• School Website & Online Resources: 4.3
• IT Infrastructure: 4.1
• Writing & Research Support: 4.2

Spiritual & Community Life

• Spiritual Formation: 4.3
• Sense of Community Acceptance: 4.6
• Respect for Students of All Faith Traditions: 4.6
• Growth in Spiritual Life: 4.7
• Strengthening of Personal Faith: 4.6

Overall Experience

• Satisfaction with Academic Experience: 4.5
• Faculty Support: 4.6
• Integration of Theology & Ministry Practice: 4.6
• Diversity & Inclusion Experience: 4.5
• Would Choose GCTS Again: 4.5

These indicators reflect a consistently high level of satisfaction with both academic and formational aspects of seminary life.