Our Mission

Our Mission

To promote the improvement and enhancement of theological schools to the benefit of communities of faith and the broader public.

About ATS

The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) is a network of more than 270 graduate schools of theology across the United States and Canada. These schools differ in profound and meaningful ways, yet they share a commitment to excellence in theological education. Through ATS, they join a collaborative community dedicated to shaping leaders for ministry, teaching, and research. Together, they advance theological education as a vital resource for faith communities and the broader public.

Mission

To promote the improvement and enhancement of theological schools to the benefit of communities of faith and the broader public.

Vision State

To be a collaborative, generative community that fosters transformative innovation and faithful stewardship of theological education.

This vision positions ATS and its member schools to lead with courage and imagination, anticipating cultural, technological, and ecclesial changes while remaining rooted in shared commitments.

Strategic Priorities

To live into this vision, ATS is focusing on these priorities:

  1. Cultivate a collaborative and generative community
  2. Advance transformative and ethical innovation
  3. Empower leaders to navigate complexity and change with purpose
  4. Promote accreditation as quality assurance for learning and formation
  5. Champion theological education as a public good
  6. Facilitate stewardship of theological education for flourishing

Governance Structure

Our governance reflects our commitment to transparency, accountability, and effective service to member schools. ATS operates as two separate corporations:
 
 

The Association of Theological Schools

ATS provides programs, services, research, and resources that support administrators and faculty at member schools. It advances theological education as a public good. The ATS Board of Directors oversees the affairs of the Association, including budget adoption, program review, planning, asset oversight, and governance policies.
 

The Commission on Accrediting

The Commission accredits institutions and approves degree programs offered by accredited schools, ensuring quality and accountability through standards and review. The Board of Commissioners governs the Commission, with authority over accreditation decisions, Commission budget, fees related to accrediting activities, and policies and procedures for accreditation.
 

Each corporation has its own bylaws, policies, and governance responsibilities. They work in close partnership and coordinate through a joint Coordinating Committee that includes ATS officers and Commission leaders, while respecting the independent missions and authority of both boards

Levels of Membership

Membership is open to schools located in the United States and Canada that offer graduate theological degrees, are demonstrably engaged in educating professional leadership for communities of the Christian and Jewish faiths, and meet the standards and criteria for membership established by the Association and the Commission. The current member schools, include Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Jewish graduate schools of theology that reflect a broad spectrum of doctrinal, ecclesiastical, and theological perspectives.

Associate Members

Schools initially join the Association as Associate Members upon a vote by the membership at its Biennial Meeting in even-numbered years.

Accredited Members

Within five years, Associate members are expected to achieve initial accreditation with the Commission on Accrediting, which makes them Accredited Members of the Commission.

Core Values

Our core values express the commitments that unite ATS member schools and guide our shared work. They shape how we collaborate, innovate, and lead in theological education. These values are not just ideals. They are lived practices that sustain quality, foster diversity, and strengthen leadership across our community.

Diversity

ATS is committed to diversity that is a visible sign of God’s intention for humanity. The Association values the multiple forms of diversity that exist among the member schools and encourages each school to continuously define and demonstrate its own commitment to diversity within the context of its mission, history, constituency, educational practices, structures, and theological commitments.

Quality and Improvement

ATS schools value quality in the practice of ministry and in educational practices. Quality is always linked to improvement; even schools that have achieved a high degree of quality can improve. The Association encourages schools to advance in quality.

Collegiality

ATS values the contributions that schools make to one another. Regardless of differences in theological perspective, organizational complexity, or institutional size, ATS schools, as peer institutions, can learn from one another, cooperate on common tasks that benefit the broader community of theological schools, and hold themselves accountable to common practices and quality.

Leadership

ATS values leadership and considers it essential for schools to attain their missions. ATS is committed to developing the skills and capacities of administrators, faculties, and boards of member schools.

In addition to these core values, the Association values formal education for ministerial leadership and advocates on behalf of its benefits for religious leaders, religious institutions, and the work of religion in broader publics; values justice in society and institutions and seeks to embody justice in its organizational life; values accountability for student learning; and both values and advocates for quality in the practice of ministry.

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