Educational Effectiveness Report

George W. Truett Theological Seminary
Baylor University
Statement on Educational Effectiveness

The faculty and administration of Baylor's George W. Truett Theological Seminary take seriously her mission “to equip God-called people for gospel ministry in and alongside Christ's Church by the power of the Holy Spirit.” To ensure that the academic programs of the Seminary are preparing women and men for faithful leadership in Christian ministry, the Seminary assesses, evaluates, and seeks to improve its academic programs on an annual basis.

Program Effectiveness

Year over year, the Seminary tracks three key markers of overall program effectiveness:

1. Student retention rate from year one to year two
2. Student completion rate
3. Student placement rate

Student Retention Rate

Stated Goal: The Seminary strives for a 75 percent retention rate from year 1 to year 2 across the academic programs.

Findings: The retention rate for the 2022-23 academic year was 79 percent.

Student Completion Rate

Stated Goal: For the Master of Divinity degree (87 hrs.), at least 60 percent of students complete the degree in less than four years.*

Findings: In spring 2023, there were 48 MDiv graduates. Of that number, two students completed the degree in less than two years (transfer students) and 27 students completed the degree in less than four years, yielding an overall completion rate of 60.4 percent.

*The MACM and MTS completion rate was not calculated due to the number of graduates in these programs.

Student Placement Rate

Stated Goal: Effective placement of 85 percent for graduates looking for positions in ministry up to six months after graduation.

Findings: Truett’s job placement rate was 91 percent for the 2022-23 academic year.

Student Learning Outcomes

There are identifiable learning goals established for each degree and metrics established to measure success. The following are illustrative of the stated goals and findings from the 2022-23 academic year:

Student Learning Outcome 1 (MDiv/MACM/MTS)

Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary will possess foundational skills in the study of content, context, and interpretation of Christian Scripture. 

Metric 1: An exegetical paper submitted in a Christian Scriptures course. The paper is assessed on a number of categories, including attention to the historical and literary context of the passage, exegetical skill, and appropriate theological conclusions.

Stated Goal: Eighty percent of students should score eighty percent or higher in the areas identified in the assignment rubric.

Findings: Ninety percent of the students scored eighty percent or higher in the areas identified for assessment.

Metric 2: The Association of Theological Schools Graduating Student Questionnaire (GSQ) measures students’ self-reflection on their ability “to use and interpret Scripture.”

Stated Goal: Graduating respondents will self-assess as being “Effective (4)” or “Very Effective (5)” on the GSQ concerning their ability to use Scripture.

Findings: Graduating students assessed their ability to use and interpret Scripture as 4.8/5.0. 

Student Learning Outcome 5 (MDiv/MACM)

Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary will demonstrate competency and capacity for integrating theory and practice of leadership in their varied ministry contexts.

Metric 1: Students are to submit a final case study for PRTH 7391 Integrative Seminar. The rubric utilized includes the following categories for assessment: Introduction to Context; Description of Crisis; Description of Convening; Individual and Collective Calling; Structure of Community; Integration of Theology, Scripture, and Practice; Style and Grammar

Stated Goal: Eighty percent of the students demonstrating competency (80% or higher) in each of the seven rubric areas.

Findings: The criteria for success for this SLO was met in all seven areas.

Metric 2: The Association of Theological Schools Graduating Student Questionnaire (GSQ) measures students’ self-reflection on their ability to lead others well.

Stated Goal: Graduating respondents will self-assess as being “Effective (4)” or “Very Effective (5)” on the GSQ.

Findings: Graduating students assessed their ability to lead others well as 4.8/5.0.