Educational Effectiveness Report

George W. Truett Theological Seminary
Baylor University
Statement on Educational Effectiveness
2024-2025

The faculty and administration of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary take seriously its 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:

Student retention rate from year 1 to year 2
Student completion rate
Student graduation rate

Student Retention Rate Across All Academic Programs

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

Findings: The retention rate for the 2024-2025 academic year was 88.1 percent.

Student Completion Rate

Master of Divinity

Stated goal: For the Master of Divinity degree (87 hrs.), at least 50% of students complete the degree in less than four (4) years.
Findings: In 2024-25, there were 42 MDiv graduates. Of that number, twenty-three (23) students completed the degree in less than four (4) years, meaning that 55% of the graduates completed the degree in the anticipated time

Master of Arts (Professional) degrees

Stated goal: For the Master of Arts degrees, at least 50% of students complete the degree in less than three (3) years.
Findings: In 2024-25, there were 17 graduates across the MA programs. Eleven (11) of those students completed the degree in three (3) years, yielding a completion rate of 65%.

Master of Theological Studies

Stated goal: For the Master of Arts degrees, at least 50% of students complete the degree in less than three (3) years.
Findings: In 2024-25, 5 MTS graduates. Only one (1) of the five (5) students (20%) graduated in less than three years. *NB: Given the small numbers for the MTS degree, this data should not elicit an immediate recommendation other than continued monitoring.

Student Graduation Rate

Master of Divinity

Stated goal: The Association of Theological Schools tracks an institution’s graduation rate predicated on MDiv students who entered six (6) years ago this fall. The criterion for success is that 60% of those who enrolled in the MDIV will graduate within the allotted time.
Findings: Of the 61 students who entered the program six (6) years ago, 38 completed the degree and two (2) students graduated with a different degree, resulting in a graduation rate of 66.57%.

Master of Arts (Professional) degrees

Stated goal: The Association of Theological Schools tracks an institution’s graduation rate predicated on MA students who entered 4 years ago this fall. The criterion for success is that 60% of those who enrolled in the MA programs will graduate within the allotted time.
Findings: Of the 6 students who entered the program four (4) years ago, two (2) completed the degree and one (1) student graduated with a different degree, resulting in a graduation rate of 50.00%.
*NB: Given the small numbers for the MA degree, this data should not elicit an immediate recommendation other than continued monitoring.

Master of Theological Studies

Stated goal: The Association of Theological Schools tracks an institution’s graduation rate predicated on MTS students who entered four (4) years ago this fall. The criterion for success is that 60% of those who enrolled in the MTS programs will graduate within the allotted time.
Findings: Of the 3 students who entered the program four (4) years ago, one (1) completed the degree, resulting in a graduation rate of 33.33%.
*NB: Given the small numbers for the MTS degree, this data should not elicit an immediate recommendation other than continued monitoring.

Student Placement Rate

The 2023-2024 placement rate was 92% within 6 months of graduation.

The most common positions filled were: (1) Senior/Lead Pastor; (2) Youth Pastor/Minister; and (3) Worship/Music Minister

Student Learning Outcomes

Identifiable learning goals have been established for each degree at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. Appropriate metrics have been set to track the Seminary’s success year over year. The Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree is the largest degree program at Truett Seminary. The following data points from the Master of Divinity degree are illustrative of the stated goals and findings from the 2024-25 academic year:

Student Learning Outcome 1 (MDiv)

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: The criterion of success was met for all categories assessed.
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 4.6/5.0.

Student Learning Outcome 3 (MDiv)

Graduates of the George W. Truett Theological Seminary will demonstrate appropriate cultural engagement in light of cultural norms, pressing social needs, and a global context.

Metric 1: Issue and Trends Paper in WOCW 7385 Introduction to Christian Witness and Mission. The reflection was measured against a rubric with the following categories: identification and explanation of the issue or trend; organization and development; substance and coherence; conclusion and application; engagement with cultural and social needs; bibliography; and mechanics of writing
- Stated Goal: Eighty percent of students should score 80% or higher in the areas identified in the assignment rubric
- Findings: The criterion of success was met for all categories assessed, with the exception of “mechanics of writing.” In that category, 71% of the students scored 80% or higher in that category.
Metric 2: ATS Graduating Student Questionnaire (GSQ).
- Students offer self-reflection on their ability:
  - “to interact effectively with those from cultural and racial/ethnic contexts other than my own”
  - “to relate social issues to faith”
  - “to interact effectively with those of religious
  - traditions other than my own”
- Stated Goal: Graduating respondents will self-assess as being “Effective (4)” or “Very Effective (5)” on the various GSQ categories.
- Findings: The results from the GSQ are as follows:
  - “to interact effectively with those from cultural and racial/ethnic contexts other than my own” 4.1/5.0
  - “to relate social issues to faith” 4.3/5.0
  - “to interact effectively with those of religious traditions other than my own” 3.8/5.0

Student Learning Outcome 5 (MDiv)

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: Theological Reflection Paper submitted is association with mentoring (MENT 7V00)
The paper is assessed based on the following categories: grammar and style; biblical reflection; theological reflection; pastoral reflection; use of assigned practical theology model.
- Stated Goal: Eighty percent of the students demonstrating competency (80% or higher) in each of the seven rubric areas.
- Findings: The criterion for success was met in all seven area.
Metric 2: The Association of Theological Schools Graduating Student Questionnaire (GSQ) measures students’ self-reflection on the following areas:
- “lead others well”
- “ability to work with both women and men”
- “ability to administer a parish/congregation”
- Stated Goal: Graduating respondents will self-assess as being “Effective (4)” or “Very Effective (5)” on the GSQ.
- Findings: Graduating students responded as follows:
  - “lead others well” 4.2/5.0
  - “ability to work with both women and men” 4.5/5.0
  - “ability to administer a parish/congregation” 3.8/5.0