Educational Effectiveness

Freed-Hardeman University Graduate School of Theology evaluates educational effectiveness annually on the basis of findings in two categories: achievement of articulated student learning outcomes (SLOs) and student job placement rates.

 

Achievement of Student Learning Outcomes

M.A. Ministry

SLO 1. Students will demonstrate effective research and writing in ministry and leadership.

  • 29 of 36 (81%) students met or exceeded expectations on exegesis and application of a biblical text in Bible text courses.     

  • 2 of 2 successfully completed comprehensive exams.

SLO 2. Students will incorporate appropriate academic and theoretical principles in congregational leadership.

  • 38 of 39 (97%) students met or exceeded expectations regarding the explanation and application of Christian Doctrine in historical/doctrinal courses.

  • 2  of 2 successfully completed comprehensive exams.

 

SLO 3. Students will demonstrate competence in theological communication in interpersonal and public settings.

  • 36 of 39 (92%) students met or exceeded expectations for theological research and verbal communication in  Bible text or historical/doctrinal courses.

  • 2 of 2 successfully completed comprehensive exams.

 

SLO 4. Students will apply biblical and ministry principles to global contexts.

  • 29 of 35 (83%) students met or exceeded expectations regarding practical ministry skills according to the shared assignment rubric in missions or ministry courses.

  • 6 of 6 students met or exceeded expectations according to the internship evaluation rubric.

 

 

Master of Divinity

SLO 1. Students will possess the tools necessary to interpret Scripture in view of its linguistic and historical contexts.

  • 15 of 16 students met or exceeded expectations on exegesis and application of a biblical text in an Old Testament text course.

  • The GST had 5 of 5 M.Div. students who successfully completed comprehensive exams.

 

SLO 2. Students will demonstrate the ability to extract major principles of Christian theology from Scripture and integrate them into modern Christian faith.

  • 8 of 9 students met or exceeded expectations regarding the explanation and application of Christian Doctrine in a historical doctrinal course.

  • The GST had 5 of 5 M.Div. students who successfully completed comprehensive exams.

  • Our average student ranking on SLO 2 was 3.25 on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 4 (highest)

 

SLO 3. Students will demonstrate mastery in theological research and verbal communication (both written and oral).

  • 8 of 9 of students met or exceeded expectations regarding theological research and verbal communication in a historical/doctrinal course.

  • The GST had 5 of 5 M.Div. students who successfully completed comprehensive exams.

  • Our average student ranking on SLO 3 was 2.88 on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 4 (highest)

 

SLO 4. Students will integrate essential leadership skills into the general practice of ministry.

  • The GST had 5 of 5 M.Div. students who successfully completed comprehensive exams.

  • Our average student ranking on SLO 4 was 3.31 on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 4 (highest)

 

SLO 5. Students will demonstrate significant progress in personal, spiritual formation.

  • The GST had 5 of 5 M.Div. students who successfully completed comprehensive exams.

  • Our average student ranking on SLO 5 was 3.31 on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 4 (highest)

 

 

 

M.A. New Testament

SLO 1. Students will be able to analyze representative New Testament texts in view of their linguistic and cultural contexts.

  • 11 of 12 students met or exceeded expectations in a NT text course

  • 1 of 3 (33%) students passed comprehensive exams with qualification

  • 3 of 3 students rated themselves a 3 or 4 on each question of the exit survey

 

SLO 2. Students will possess the hermeneutical skills necessary to apply the New Testament text in a contemporary context.

  • No course was taught in which the curriculum project assessment instrument was used

  • 3 of 3 students successfully completed thesis

 

SLO 3. Students will demonstrate competence in theological research and verbal communication (both written and oral).

  • 8 of 10 students met or exceeded expectations for theological research and verbal communication

  • An online webinar was planned, but not held, due to COVID-19

 

SLO 4. Students will acquire the ability to identify and assess key insights of modern New Testament scholarship.

  • The thesis handbook was not revised this year

 

Student Placement Rates

Our goal is to see our students involved in ministry following their training. Some students are already engaged in full or part-time ministry before they enter our programs. Others will seek employment with churches or other church-related organizations after they graduate. Still others will use our degrees as "stepping stones" to other degree programs. Our placement rates reflect these realities.

Of our 2020-21 graduates, 9 of 10 (90%) are currently working in full-time ministry.