Following the Educational Models and Practices in Theological Education project, and building on the work of that grant and recent ATS programs on the Economic Challenges Facing Future Ministers and Economic Equilibrium and Theological Schools, the Association will begin work on a largescale four-year project this fall—Organizational and Educational Models in Theological Education: Supporting the 21st Century Missions of Theological Schools.
Educational Models and Practices in Theological Education
The Educational Models and Practices project—funded by a major grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. and guided by an advisory committee of representatives from ATS schools and partner organizations—involved more than 90
percent of member schools in five areas of work:
Mapping Study of ATS Schools' Programming
—reports from the study and peer groups
- A two-part study: (1) survey of academic deans (2) survey of program directors
- Key findings from the surveys presented at the 2016 ATS Presidential Leadership Intensive Conference
- Individual reports from 18 peer groups, grouped according to topics and available to download
- Reflections of the peer groups' findings written by Tom Tanner and Stephen Graham
Graduate Professional Education
—reports from the study group
- Administrators and faculty from schools of education, medicine, law, business, social work, graduate humanities, and health humanities gathered in April 2018 and in October 2018 to explore common opportunities and challenges and to share what they learned during this time of dramatic change in higher education and the professions
Graduates of ATS Schools
—reports from the study
- A sample of 42 schools facilitated data collection from their 2011 and 2015 graduating of the classes. Using the ATS Graduating Student Questionnaire, the study expanded the survey to gather additional data.
- The survey received 940 responses providing information about how these graduates are employed, the credentials required for their positions, and the competencies they frequently use in their work.
Innovation and Faculty Development Grants
—reports from schools, including assessment of opportunities and challenges, learnings from the project, and resource recommendations
- Through the generosity of Lilly Endowment Inc., ATS awarded member schools nearly $3.4 million in grants to support educational innovation and faculty development.
- 58 innovation grants of up to $50,000 each
- 44 faculty development grants of up to $15,000 each
Redevelopment of the ATS Accrediting Standards and Procedures
—summary of contributions to the redevelopment process
- A primary goal of the Educational Models and Practices project was to contribute learning and insights from the schools toward a redevelopment of the ATS accrediting Standards and Policies and Procedures.
- View a slideshow and read the accompanying text of the project summary and key findings presented at the 2018 ATS/COA Biennial Meeting.
Read Stephen Graham’s summary of the project’s history, activities, and contributions to the redevelopment process.
Contact:
Stephen R. Graham
Strategic Director of Context and Continuity
