Portland Seminary

Accreditation, Memberships & Educational Effectiveness

Accreditations

American Theological Schools logo

Portland Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), and the following degree programs are approved:

The commission's contact information is:

The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools
10 Summit Park Dr.
Pittsburgh, PA 15275

Phone: 412-788-6505

Fax: 412-788-6510

Website: ats.edu

Northwest Commission on College and Universities Logo

George Fox University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. This dual accreditation is maintained through George Fox University and assures students of the highest academic and professional standards.

Memberships

Portland Seminary holds memberships in organizations that enable us to fulfill our mission.

Christians for Biblical Equality
Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE) is a nonprofit organization of Christian men and women who believe that the Bible, properly interpreted, teaches the fundamental equality of men and women of all ethnic groups, all economic classes, and all age groups, based on the teachings of Scriptures such as Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (TNIV). 

Evangelicals for Social Action
Evangelicals for Social Action (ESA) is an association of Christians seeking to promote Christian engagement, analysis, and understanding of major social, cultural, and public-policy issues. ESA emphasizes both the transformation of human lives through personal faith and also the importance of a commitment to social and economic justice as an outgrowth of Christian faith. 

The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) provides training in pastoral care under the auspices of officially accredited clinical-training centers. This association is the standard-setting, certifying and accrediting agency in the field of pastoral education in the United States, with many accredited centers throughout the states. Several such centers are in Oregon: Legacy Health System, Oregon State Hospital, Providence/Portland Medical Center, and Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Because of their proximity, these centers provide opportunities for accredited clinical training for seminary students. 

The American Theological Library Association
The American Theological Library Association (ATLA) is a professional association of individual, institutional, and affiliate members providing programs, products, and services in support of theological and religious studies libraries and librarians.

In addition to these memberships, the seminary maintains affiliation with the following organizations:

Our professors are active in the following professional associations:

Educational Effectiveness

The seminary is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in the United States and Canada, which requires that all member schools report on their educational effectiveness as it relates to graduation and placement rates of their students. Below, you will find information related to the graduation and placement rates of our students by degree:

Graduation Rate

Graduation rate information for the five most recent academic years is displayed in the tables below. Each table gives information pertaining to the class that enrolled during the Academic Year indicated.

Class starting 2019-20
Enrolled Discontinued* Pending completion Graduated to date % Graduated to date
DMIN 41 5 36 0 0%
MAML 14 8 5 1 7%
MDIV 22 12 10 0 0%
MSFD 25 6 17 2 8%
MATS  9 7 2 0 0%
Total 111 38 70 3 3%

Class starting 2018-19
Enrolled Discontinued* Pending completion Graduated to date % Graduated to date
DMIN 49 3 42 4 8%
MAML 13 6 7 0 0%
MDIV 27 10 12 5 19%
MSFD 10 1 6 3 30%
MATS 9 5 4 0 0%
Total 108 25 71 12 11%

Class starting 2017-18
Enrolled Discontinued* Pending completion Graduated to date % Graduated to date
DMIN 49 1 14 34 69%
MAML 30 10 2 18 60%
MDIV 26 14 7 5 19%
MSFD 1 0 1 0 0%
MATS 13 3 5 5 38%
Total 119 28 29 62 52%

Class starting 2016-17
Enrolled Discontinued* Pending completion Graduated to date % Graduated to date
DMIN 40 2 8 30 75%
MAML 8 7 0 1 13%
MDIV 19 9 2 8 42%
MSFD 13 8 1 4 31%
MATS 9 6 0 3 33%
Total 89 32 11 46

52 %

Class starting 2015-16
Degree Enrolled Discontinued* Pending completion Graduated to date % Graduated to date
DMIN 60 1 12 47 78%
MAML 15 15 0 0 0%
MDIV 18 14 2 6 11%
MSFD 14 8 0 9 43%
MATS  9 5 0 6 44%
Total 116 43 14 68 59%

50% of students are part time and graduate in four to six years. This data is based on the completion rates for full-time students who finish in two to three years.

Discontinued (*) includes students who changed degree programs. Each year a proportion of students become clear about the best degree for them and switch programs.

Placement Rate

The tables below display the placement rates of our graduates for the five most recent academic years by program, using the following categories:

  • Vocational placement: The graduate is in a position for which the degree program prepared the graduate. Some graduates may have placements related to their degree programs prior to graduating; these may be reported as degree- related placements. Such placements may be compensated or volunteer positions.
  • Non-vocational placement: The graduate received a graduate theological degree designed for personal enrichment rather than vocational preparation. Graduates in positions, compensated or volunteer, which reflect their vocational choice may be placed in this category.
  • Further study: The graduate is pursuing additional education. This education may be at the graduate or undergraduate level.
  • Seeking placement: The graduate is actively seeking appropriate placement.
  • Other: The graduate has a position or placement that does not fall within the above categories.

Note that students sometimes pursue a degree for personal enrichment, not vocational placement.

Placement Rates for Graduates in the 2019-20 Academic Year
Vocational Employment Non Vocational Employment Further Study Seeking Placement Other
DMIN 65% 17% - 9% 9%
MAML 33.33% - - 33.33% 33.33%
MDIV 83% - - 17% -
MSFD 80% - 20% - -
MATS 100% - - - -
Total Average 69% 10% 3% 10% 8%

Placement Rates for Graduates in the 2018-19 Academic Year
Vocational Employment Non Vocational Employment Further Study Seeking Placement Other
DMIN 59% 9% 3% 17% 12%
MAML 67% - - - 33%
MDIV 57% 14% - 29% -
MSFD 25% 50% - 25% -
MATS 20% 40% 40% - -
Total 53% 15% 6% 17% 9%

Placement Rates for Graduates in the 2017-18 Academic Year
Vocational Employment Non Vocational Employment Further Study Seeking Placement Other
DMIN N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
MAML N/A N/A N/A  N/A N/A
MDIV N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
MSFD N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
MATS N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Total  N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Placement Rates for Graduates in the 2016-17 Academic Year
Vocational Employment Non Vocational Employment Further Study Seeking Placement Other
DMIN 86% 7% - 7% -
MAML - 50% - 50% -
MDIV 75% - - 8% 17%
MSFD 66% 17% 8.5% - 8.5%
MATS 66% - 34% - -
Total  71% 9% 4.5% 9% 6.5%

Placement Rates for Graduates in the 2015-16 Academic Year
Degree Vocational Employment Non Vocational Employment Further Study Seeking Placement Other
DMIN 68% 3.5% 3.5% 7% 18%
MAML 57% - 14% - 29%
MDIV 63% - 25% - 12%
MSFD 83% 8.5% - 8.5% -
MATS 40% 40% 20% - -
Total  66% 8% 8% 5% 13%
Request Info