LTSS Accreditation
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in the United States and Canada, 10 Summit Park Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15275-1103, 412.788.6505, www.ats.edu.
In 2021, LTSS had its accreditation reaffirmed for the maximum 10-year term.
LTSS Statement of Educational Effectiveness
Completion Rates of 2018-2019 Graduating Class
- 100% of graduates in the Master of Divinity (MDiv) program completed the degree in 3 years (11 students; does not include year-long ELCA-required internship).
- 100% of graduates in the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM) program completed the degree in 2 years (1 student).
- There were no Master of Theological Studies (MTS) students in the class of 2019.
Candidacy Rates of 2018-19 Graduating Class
- 67% of ELCA MDiv graduates were approved for Word & Sacrament ordination by the time of graduation (6 students). 75% of those same graduates received a first call within six months.
- 0% of MACM students were approved for Word & Service ordination (1 student).
Graduating Student Questionnaire Data
The GSQ is written by the Association of Theological School to measure educational effectiveness in numerous areas. The scale of student response ranges from 5 (“very effective”) to 1 (“not at all effective”).
| Educational Effectiveness in Personal Growth Areas | 2019 | 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empathy for the poor and oppressed | 4.3 | 4.6 | ||
| Concern about social justice | 4.3 | 4.6 | ||
| Insight into troubles of others | 4.1 | 4.4 | ||
| Respect for other religious traditions | 4.0 | 4.2 | ||
| Respect for my own religious tradition | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Educational Effectiveness in Facilitating Skill Areas | 2019 | 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ability to use and interpret scripture | 4.6 | 3.6 | ||
| Knowledge of church doctrine and history | 4.4 | 4.3 | ||
| Ability to work effectively within my own religious tradition | 4.1 | 4.1 | ||
| Ability to work effectively with both men and women | 4.5 | 4.4 | ||
| Ability to relate social issues to faith | 4.4 | 4.3 |
| Top Categories of Satisfaction with School Services & Resources | 2019 | 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accessibility of faculty | 4.4 | 3.6 | ||
| Class size | 4.3 | 4.1 | ||
| Ease in scheduling required courses | 4.5 | 4.4 | ||
| Access to library collection | 4.5 | 4.4 | ||
| Adequacy of library collection | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Bottom Categories of Satisfaction with School Services and Resources | 2019 | 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School website and internet-based resources | 2.4 | 2.4 | ||
| School’s technology (IT) resources | 2.3 | 2.5 | ||
| Career/vocational counseling | 2.8 | 3.2 | ||
| Student debt and finance counseling | 2.8 | 2.9 | ||
| Health and wellness program | 2.4 | 2.9 |
| Overall Experience During Theological Program | 2019 | 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty were supportive and understanding | 3.8 | 4.3 | ||
| My personal faith has been respected | 3.8 | 3.9 | ||
| I know at least one faculty member well | 4.3 | 4.4 | ||
| I have been able to integrate theology and practice of ministry | 4 | 4.4 | ||
| I have come to know students from other racial, ethnic and cultural groups | 4 | 4.5 | ||
| I have made good friends here | 3.9 | 4.3 |
LTSS is beautifully diverse and made up of students of every age, race, gender and orientation. I was so thankful to find a great community of faith and learning so close to where I grew up.
News & Events
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary will officially begin its new chapter in Hickory with an opening service on January 15, 2025 in Grace Chapel.
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The Rev. Joshua A. Tucker, M.Div. ’13, current LTSS alumni board president and pastor of Friendship Lutheran Church reflects on the seminary’s upcoming move.
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