Portland Seminary

Educational Effectiveness

The seminary is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in the United States and Canada, which requires that all member schools report on their educational effectiveness as it relates to graduation and placement rates of their students. Below, you will find information related to the graduation and placement rates of our students by degree:

Graduation Rate

Graduation rate information for the five most recent academic years is displayed in the tables below. Each table gives information pertaining to the class that enrolled during the Academic Year indicated. Note that graduation rates are not yet available for some degree programs (i.e., DLd, MALC) due to recency of program launch.

50% of students are part time and graduate in four to six years. This data is based on the completion rates for full-time students who finish in two to three years.

Discontinued (*) includes students who changed degree programs. Each year a proportion of students become clear about the best degree for them and switch programs.

Class starting 2019-20
Enrolled Discontinued* Pending completion Graduated to date % Graduated to date
DMin 41 5 36 0 0%
MAML 14 8 5 1 7%
MDiv 22 12 10 0 0%
MASF 25 6 17 2 8%
MATS  9 7 2 0 0%
Total 111 38 70 3 3%

Class starting 2018-19
Enrolled Discontinued* Pending completion Graduated to date % Graduated to date
DMin 49 3 42 4 8%
MAML 13 6 7 0 0%
MDiv 27 10 12 5 19%
MASD 10 1 6 3 30%
MATS 9 5 4 0 0%
Total 108 25 71 12 11%

Class starting 2017-18
Enrolled Discontinued* Pending completion Graduated to date % Graduated to date
DMin 49 1 14 34 69%
MAML 30 10 2 18 60%
MDiv 26 14 7 5 19%
MASD 1 0 1 0 0%
MATS 13 3 5 5 38%
Total 119 28 29 62 52%

Class starting 2016-17
Enrolled Discontinued* Pending completion Graduated to date % Graduated to date
DMin 40 2 8 30 75%
MAML 8 7 0 1 13%
MDiv 19 9 2 8 42%
MASF 13 8 1 4 31%
MATS 9 6 0 3 33%
Total 89 32 11 46

52 %

Class starting 2015-16
Degree Enrolled Discontinued* Pending completion Graduated to date % Graduated to date
DMin 60 1 12 47 78%
MAML 15 15 0 0 0%
MDiv 18 14 2 6 11%
MASF 14 8 0 9 43%
MATS  9 5 0 6 44%
Total 116 43 14 68 59%

 

Placement Rate

The tables below display the placement rates of our graduates for the five most recent academic years by program, using the following categories:

  • Vocational placement: The graduate is in a position for which the degree program prepared the graduate. Some graduates may have placements related to their degree programs prior to graduating; these may be reported as degree- related placements. Such placements may be compensated or volunteer positions.
  • Non-vocational placement: The graduate received a graduate theological degree designed for personal enrichment rather than vocational preparation. Graduates in positions, compensated or volunteer, which reflect their vocational choice may be placed in this category.
  • Further study: The graduate is pursuing additional education. This education may be at the graduate or undergraduate level.
  • Seeking placement: The graduate is actively seeking appropriate placement.
  • Other: The graduate has a position or placement that does not fall within the above categories.

Note that students sometimes pursue a degree for personal enrichment, not vocational placement. Furthermore, placement rates are not yet available for some degree programs (i.e., DLd, MALC) due to recency of program launch.

Placement Rates for Graduates in the 2019-20 Academic Year
Vocational Employment Non Vocational Employment Further Study Seeking Placement Other
DMin 65% 17% - 9% 9%
MAML 33.33% - - 33.33% 33.33%
MDiv 83% - - 17% -
MASF 80% - 20% - -
MATS 100% - - - -
Total Average 69% 10% 3% 10% 8%

Placement Rates for Graduates in the 2018-19 Academic Year
Vocational Employment Non Vocational Employment Further Study Seeking Placement Other
DMin 59% 9% 3% 17% 12%
MAML 67% - - - 33%
MDiv 57% 14% - 29% -
MSFD 25% 50% - 25% -
MATS 20% 40% 40% - -
Total 53% 15% 6% 17% 9%

Placement Rates for Graduates in the 2017-18 Academic Year 
Vocational Employment Non Vocational Employment Further Study Seeking Placement Other
DMin N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
MAML N/A N/A N/A  N/A N/A
MDiv N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
MSFD N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
MATS N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Total  N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Placement Rates for Graduates in the 2016-17 Academic Year
Vocational Employment Non Vocational Employment Further Study Seeking Placement Other
DMin 86% 7% - 7% -
MAML - 50% - 50% -
MDiv 75% - - 8% 17%
MASF 66% 17% 8.5% - 8.5%
MATS 66% - 34% - -
Total  71% 9% 4.5% 9% 6.5%

Placement Rates for Graduates in the 2015-16 Academic Year
Degree Vocational Employment Non Vocational Employment Further Study Seeking Placement Other
DMin 68% 3.5% 3.5% 7% 18%
MAML 57% - 14% - 29%
MDiv 63% - 25% - 12%
MASF 83% 8.5% - 8.5% -
MATS 40% 40% 20% - -
Total  66% 8% 8% 5% 13%
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