Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS) is pleased to announce that the Association of Theological Schools (ATS; its accrediting agency) has reaffirmed the Seminary’s accreditation for the next ten years (through fall 2020). The ATS Board of Commissioners approved all of the Seminary’s degree programs: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Christian Education, Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies, Master of Arts (Theological Studies), and Doctor of Ministry; in addition, NTS received approval of its distance education program.
“We are delighted with the response we have received from ATS,” said Dr. Ron Benefiel, NTS President. “The report from the site visitation team was very affirming and encouraging with regard to the education that students receive at NTS. The report confirms that NTS is carrying out its mission to prepare women and men to be faithful and effective ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
The new 76-hour, domain-based Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Degree curriculum received full authorization from the ATS Board of Commissioners. The M.Div., the normative degree for persons preparing for ordained ministry, is the central degree program at NTS and designed to prepare individuals for pastoral and spiritual leadership in congregational and other settings. Previously, the NTS M.Div. Degree required completion of 90 credit hours. The new domain-based curriculum provides maximum flexibility to match the interests and needs of the student. ATS also authorized the new 45-hour, domain-based Master of Arts in Christian Education curriculum; this is a reduction in hours from 51 hours previously, and like the revised M.Div. Degree, allows students to customize their course of study.
Dr. Roger Hahn, Dean of the Faculty, noted that over a three year period, “the whole seminary community participated in the required ATS self-study and evaluation.” Dr. Hahn added, “Thanks be to God and to each member of the NTS community who makes this a grace-filled place to study and work.”
The ATS evaluation team that visited the NTS campus in September 2010 especially noted the following three distinctive strengths: the intentionality in locating NTS in the Nazarene tradition, the entrepreneurial efforts responding to the changing needs of churches and theological education, and the collegial relationships and transparency across the seminary structures. In response, Dr. Benefiel said, “We continue to be thankful for the opportunities we have to serve Christ and the Church in the preparation of women and men to be faithful and effective ministers of the Gospel.”
Dr. Jeren Rowell, Chair of the NTS Board of Trustees, stated, "The Board of Trustees congratulates President Benefiel, the faculty, and the staff on this important affirmation of their faithful and effective service. We have high confidence in our president and are working closely with him to insure that the mission of NTS remains clear and vibrant well into the future."
To learn more about Nazarene Theological Seminary, including how ministers can earn an NTS M. Div. Degree by taking courses on the campuses of several Nazarene undergraduate campuses in the U.S., log on to www.nts.edu.
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Posted on
Wed, March 9, 2011
by NTS News