Phoenix Seminary is committed to integrity and Christian stewardship. Therefore, it engages in systematic evaluation of its effectiveness in producing graduates who possess the knowledge, skills, and character indicated in our Educational Values. Student achievement and the Seminary’s educational effectiveness are measured through: 1) The assessment of student learning outcomes; 2) Graduation and Retention rates; and 3) Graduate satisfaction and successful ministry employment.
Indicators of program effectiveness include both institutional and self-reported participant data that taken together help to ensure congruence between vocational intention and theological training. To aid in consistent and reliable reporting, our evaluative processes incorporate data reported to the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), our professional accrediting association. Two of the most common indicators of educational effectiveness in higher education are completion rates and the placement of graduates. Reports pertaining to these key areas are summarized below.
Specific questions about the data, or its reporting and analysis may be directed to Roma Royer, Officer of Educational Effectiveness at rroyer@ps.edu or 602-429-4947. This data is updated annually early in the calendar year after the filing of the annual ATS report.
The majority of our students meet the student learning outcomes reflected in the Educational Values of Phoenix Seminary. Some specific examples include:
Completions by Graduation Rate for the Previous Academic Year (ATS Fall 2021 Report)
| Program | <2 years | 2-<3 years | 3-<4 years | 4-<5 years | 5-<6 years | 6+ years | Totals |
| MDiv | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 17 |
| MA in ______ (Special) | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 16 |
| MA (BTS) | 0 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 13 |
| ThM | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| DMin | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
Graduation Rates by Degree Program
The Association of Theological Schools’ Graduation Rates by Degree Program Report calculates graduation rates on the basis of 200% of the normal degree duration requirements to allow for the high number of part-time students in ATS member schools. This report answers the question, “Of the students who began in a particular Fall semester, how many had completed their program within 200% of the normal degree duration?”
Graduation Rates for the Student Body by Gender and Ethnicity
Master of Divinity Cohort:
Master of Arts in Ministry/Master of Arts (Biblical and Theological Studies) Cohort:
Graduation / Persistence Rates
Graduation and persistence rates are calculated by extending the scope beyond 200% of the normal degree duration requirements, once again to allow for the high number of part-time students in ATS member schools. This report answers the question, “Of the students who began in a particular Fall semester, how many have since completed their degree or are still actively making progress towards their degree?”
Retention Rates
Although IPEDS [Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System] requires the reporting of retention information for undergraduate institutions, it does not give an option for graduate schools like Phoenix Seminary to report the same. That being said, IPEDS’ measure for Retention Rates can be adapted to work in graduate settings as the percentage of first-time degree-seeking students from the previous Fall semester who either re-enrolled or successfully completed their program by the subsequent Fall semester. This report answers the question, “Of the degree-seeking students who were enrolled in a particular Fall semester, how many either successfully completed their degree or were actively making progress towards their degree in the subsequent Fall semester?”
Graduate Satisfaction
The ATS Graduating Student Questionnaire reports the following areas of growth and satisfaction among Phoenix Seminary’s recent graduates:
PS graduates rate their seminary education as being most effective in facilitating these areas of personal growth (2019-2022):
PS graduates rate their seminary education as being most effective in facilitating the following skill areas (2018-2022):
PS graduates were most satisfied with the following services and academic resources (2022):
Ministry Employment
Typically, the majority of Phoenix Seminary students secure vocational positions while they are in seminary or they are already in vocational positions when they begin attending seminary. Others have no plans to be in vocational ministry and their studies have equipped them for lay ministry or for personal edification (non-vocational). Still others are continuing on to further education. The following table reflects positions secured at the time of graduation:
2021-22 Graduates at the time of graduation:
| Already in a vocational position | In a non-vocational position by choice | Pursuing further education | Pursuing a vocational position | Other | Unknown | |
| Master of Divinity | 41% | 6% | 17% | 12% | 12% | 12% |
| MA in Biblical and Theological Studies | 31% | 0% | 8% | 8% | 38% | 15% |
| MA in Counseling | 0% | 37% | 13% | 0% | 13% | 37% |
| MA in Ministry | 33% | 0% | 0% | 50% | 0% | 17% |
The Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) is a relatively new program beginning in the 2014-15 academic year. As of August 2020, the program has 40 graduates. One and a quarter percent of these graduates have been licensed. Seventy-five percent are in the process of pursuing licensure and 1.25% are unknown or not pursuing licensure. Fifty-six percent of graduates have been offered employment by their internship site.
Phoenix Seminary offers limited Vocational Assistance for students who are seeking placement during or after their studies. Graduates are serving in the following ways: pastoral ministry in the local church; intercultural ministry overseas and in the U.S.; various levels of leadership in a variety of para-church organizations; counseling and chaplaincy in secular and Christian arenas; leadership in the marketplace through professions such as law, business and medicine; and lay ministers in the local church.
Position Expected After Graduation
This information demonstrates the ministry expectations of new PS graduates:
| Position anticipated upon graduation by PS graduates | |
| (ATS Graduating Student Questionnaire 2020-21 ) | |
| Pastor | 18.2% |
| Licensed counselor or psychologist | 14.5% |
| Associate Pastor | 12.7% |
| Youth work or ministry | 10.9% |
| Teaching in primary or secondary education | 5.5% |
| Teaching or administration in a theological school | 5.5% |
| Undecided | 5.5% |
Page updated on 12/21/2022.
