Research and Data

ATS collects and interprets a broad range of data in support of the member schools and the Association. The ATS research function, a strategic priority of the Association’s work plan, ensures that basic institutional and student data are accessible and comprehensible but also that additional research is conducted on topics of special interest to theological educators. This effort is overseen by an eight-person staff research team. The work of the research function is guided by the Association’s eight-person Research and Data Advisory Committee.

Find out more

• Institutional and student data
• Recent ATS research on special topics in theological education
• Recent research by others
• New research opportunities—datasets, research questions, and tools for accessing
• Data Visualization Tool

ATS Research Featured in Top Academic Journal  

The highly respected academic journal, Christian Higher Education, has published two research articles by ATS staff members, available to you at no cost. This special edition, focusing on graduate theological education, also includes contributions from ATS member schools and other institutions.

Mission, Models, and Money: An Empirical Analysis of Graduate Theological Education by Chris Meinzer and Deborah Gin, analyzes the state of graduate theological education, highlighting successes in distance learning and demographic diversification, but also noting challenges like flat enrollment and financial strain.

Reimagining the Role of Graduate Theological Education in Clergy Formation by Deborah Gin, Jo Ann Deasy, and Grego Pena-Camprubí examines the disconnect between what schools teach and what clergy actually use in their work, urging schools to adopt more relevant applied approaches.