Institutional Effectiveness
Southwestern’s comprehensive assessment program
The Office of Institutional Effectiveness oversees Southwestern’s comprehensive assessment program and institutional research efforts. The work of assessment includes evaluation at three key levels: institution-wide, degree program, and departmental. Each degree program and department establish a mission, goals, objectives and outcomes, and target achievements on an annual basis. Findings are evaluated at the conclusion of each academic year and then action plans are developed for the subsequent year where areas of needed improvement are identified. Southwestern Seminary assesses its performance on an institution-wide level through the strategic planning processes conducted by the president and other administrative leaders. Altogether, this comprehensive assessment structure remains an annual element of institutional operation in complement to the overall mission of the school and the strategic planning processes.
The following student achievement data is provided on this site:
- Retention from Fall to Spring for the most recent academic year.
- In all cases, the institution’s target retention rate is 85% or higher.
- Graduation rates calculated using the IPEDS calculation parameters for first-time, full-time cohorts at 150% of normal time for the most recently completed academic year. This method is also used to report graduation rates to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges on their annual profile.
- In all cases, the institution’s target graduation rate is 50% or higher.
Retention/Graduate Rates by Degree Type
| DEGREE TYPE | Retention Rate | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Certificates | 59% | 63% |
| Bachelor’s | 85% | 18% |
| Master of Divinity | 86% | 32% |
| Other Master’s | 82% | 35% |
| Professional Doctoral | 93% | 23% |
| Research Doctoral | 92% | 50% |
| Bonn Extension | 94% | 50% |