Accreditation

Statement on Accreditation

Judson College is a private, not-for-profit institution accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the Commission on Accrediting of The Association of Theological Schools (ATS). For purposes of accreditation and federal regulation, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary officially refers to both the graduate-level seminary programs (master through advanced programs) and the undergraduate college programs (Judson College). In some cases where the college may not be listed, it is still considered part of Southeastern and is sufficiently covered under the approval of its accreditors.

Through a rigorous process of comprehensive evaluation in March of 2022, Southeastern was successfully reaffirmed by both accrediting agencies as a part of a process of continuous improvement and accountability. Accreditation assures the quality of the educational programming as well as the transfer of credits to other institutions.

Because Southeastern is an institution of religious education, it has been declared exempt from the requirements for licensure by the state of North Carolina under provisions of General Statutes (G.S.) 116-15(d). Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a religious institution exempt from state regulation and oversight in the Commonwealth of Virginia and Florida.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Judson College are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Questions about the accreditation may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s  website. (www.sacscoc.org).

The seminary has been accredited by SACS since 1978.

Commission on Accrediting of The Association of Theological Schools

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Graduate Programs are also accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in the United States and Canada. In February 2024, the ATS Board of Commissioners approved a five-year experimental Doctor of Philosophy degree, permitting the degree program to be completed in a reduced-residency format. The Commission’s contact information is: The Commission on Accreditation of The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, 10 Summit Park Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15275 USA. (412) 788-6505, email: [email protected],  or on the website (www.ats.edu).

The seminary has been accredited by ATS since 1958.

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) was established to help expand students’ access to educational opportunities and ensure more efficient, consistent, and effective regulation of distance learning programs.

Educational Effectiveness

Retention Rate:

  • Undergraduate: Percentage of first-time [non-transferable] bachelors (or equivalent) degree-seeking undergraduates matriculated in the previous Fall semester who re-enrolled in current reporting Fall semester.
  • Graduate/Advanced: Percentage of degree-seeking graduate or advanced students matriculated in the previous Fall semester who re-enrolled in current reporting Fall semester.

Persistance Rate:

  • Percentage of degree-seeking students enrolled in the previous academic period and did not graduate who re-enrolled in the reporting academic period.

Graduation Rate:

  • Undergraduate:
    • IPEDS: Percentage of full-time, first-time (non-transfer), degree/certificate seeking students in Fall cohorts who graduate within 150% of the degree length (i.e., 6yrs).
    • Additional Internal Formula: Percentage of degree/certificate seeking students in Fall cohorts who graduate within 150% of the degree length (i.e., 6yrs).
  • Graduate/Advanced (ATS Formula): Combined percentage of degree-seeking students in Fall cohorts who graduate within 200% of the degree length (see 200% durations below).
    • 8yrs – PhD (e.g., for 2020-21 reporting, the 2012 Fall cohort)
    • 6yrs – MDiv, DMin, EdD (e.g., for 2020-21 reporting, the 2014 Fall cohort)
    • 4yrs – MAs (professional and academic) (e.g., for 2020-21 reporting, the 2016 Fall cohort)
    • 2yrs – ThM (e.g., for 2020-21 reporting, the 2018 Fall cohort)

Placement Rate:

  • The percentage of students who successfully entered vocational ministry within either one year after graduating (2019-20 graduates and before) or six months after graduating (2020-21 graduates and on).

Course Completion Rate:

  • Undergraduate /Graduate: Percentage of courses completed with a passing grade (D- or higher, P, or NG) attempted by undergraduate and graduate (degree, certificate, or credit seeking) students for the reporting academic year.-Advanced:
  • Percentage of courses completed with a passing grade (B- or higher, P, or NG) attempted by advanced (degree, certificate, or credit seeking) students for the reporting academic year.