Eden is a member of and is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, and the following degree programs are approved:
- Master of Divinity
- Master of Arts in Professional Studies
- Master of Theological Studies
- Master of Community Leadership
- Doctor of Ministry
The Commission contact information is:
The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools
in the United States and Canada
10 Summit Park Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15275, USA.
Telephone: 412-788-6505
Fax: 412-788-6510
Website: www.ats.edu
Eden Theological Seminary has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
Eden Theological Seminary is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org, phone 312-263-0456), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Eden Seminary is affiliated with the United Church of Christ.
Eden is approved by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church.
Eden is an open and affirming seminary of the United Church of Christ.
No student will be barred from admission on the basis of race, gender, disability or sexual orientation, and all opportunities at Eden will be open to all who are qualified according to the purposes of the Seminary.
The ATS and HLC call for all accredited schools to post public statements of educational effectiveness. To do so Eden has assembled data from student demographics, graduation and placement rates, default rates from our graduates who participate in the Federal Student Loan Program, and various student surveys regarding satisfaction with Eden’s programs and the post-graduation experience.
A key component of the Eden educational experience is the diversity of our community of faith and learning (denominationally, racial-ethnically, and internationally). The Eden faculty is made of 8 teachers and scholars, 4 women and 4 men. One-half of Eden’s faculty is racial-ethnic minorities. Eden’s student body is ecumenically diverse, (25% UCC, 15% UMC, and the remaining 60% an array of other denominations and traditions, e.g., DOC, AME, CME, MCC, Episc, PCUSA, Baptist, ELCA; Unitarian, and non-denominational) and racial-ethnically diverse (49% African-American).
Eden is an open and affirming seminary of the United Church of Christ.
Eden engages in a vigorous program of international educational partnerships that currently hosts 8 students from 3 countries in our various degree programs. These students use their Eden education as a means to empower their teaching and leadership of the Church in their countries. In addition to the church in North America, dozens of Eden graduates since 2000 lead the Church in China, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Lesotho, Malawi, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Philippines, South Korea, and the Isle of Mann.
As a graduate professional school, Eden challenges students with a rigorous course of study that is accountable to the expectations of various denominational bodies for formation for ministry. As such, while Eden works hard to support students in their progress toward degree, admission is not insurance of graduation. Students must maintain a minimum GPA, pass a comprehensive examination of the goals of the curriculum at each level, and complete 6 semesters of Contextual Education (evaluated by supervising ministers) in various settings of ministry. Nonetheless, Eden’s graduation rates* are strong.
*Graduation rates are reported based on time periods defined by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) annual reporting requirements.
Eden defines its retention rate as the percentage of students in an entering cohort who are enrolled in a degree program from semester to semester, through the max time of completion as defined by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). The results below reflect retention rates for Academic Year 2023-24.
Eden’s placement data is collected from students who graduated the prior spring.
The placement rate for Eden’s Class of 2024 is 90%
Eden’s default rate in the Federal Loan program is on average low, and Eden’s program of financial literacy and counseling has been noted by the Missouri Department of Education as a model program. The low rate can be seen as one indicator that Eden’s graduates attain gainful employment post graduation.
Annually, Eden participates in a survey of graduating students administered by the ATS. Here are the results.
