ACCREDITATION

Accreditation

Shepherds Theological Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) [10 Summit Park Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15275, Telephone: 412–788–6505, Fax: 421–788–6510, Website: www.ats.edu]. The seminary has been accredited by ATS since June 2016, and the following degree programs are approved as specified: Doctor of Ministry (DMin), Master of Theology (ThM), Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Arts (Biblical Literature and Languages) (MABLL), Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (MABS), Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM), and Master of Theological Studies (MTS). STS is approved for a Comprehensive Distance Education Program. The following ongoing extension sites are approved as specified:

  • Laramie Valley Chapel (4801 Quarter Horse Drive, Laramie, WY 82070) to offer the MTS degree.
  • Emmanuel Baptist Church (408 East 24th Street, Bryan, TX 77803) to offer the MTS degree.

Authorization to Grant Degrees

Degree programs of study offered by Shepherds Theological Seminary have been declared by the appropriate state authority exempt from the requirements for licensure, under provisions of North Carolina General Statutes Section (G.S.) 116-15 (d) for exemption from licensure with respect to religious education. Exemption from licensure is not based upon assessment of program quality under established licensing standards.

 

Authorization to Grant Degrees

Degree programs of study offered by Shepherds Theological Seminary have been declared by the appropriate state authority exempt from the requirements for licensure, under provisions of North Carolina General Statutes Section (G.S.) 116-15 (d) for exemption from licensure with respect to religious education. Exemption from licensure is not based upon assessment of program quality under established licensing standards.

 

Shepherds Theological Seminary is authorized to grant the following degrees:

  • Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
  • Master of Theology (ThM)
  • Master of Divinity (MDiv)
  • Master of Arts (Biblical Literature and Languages) (MABLL)
  • Master of Arts (Biblical Studies) (MABS)
  • Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM)
  • Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
  • Doctor of Divinity Honoris Causis (DD)

    Shepherds Diploma Programs

    In addition, Shepherds offers the following nontraditional diploma programs for students with ministry experience, but without a baccalaureate degree:

    • Diploma of Theological Studies (DTS)
    • Diploma of Christian Ministry (DCM)
    • Diploma of Biblical Counseling (DBC)

    Authorization to Conduct Distance Education

    Shepherds Theological Seminary is authorized to conduct distance education as a nonpublic postsecondary religious exempt institution in the following states:

    • University of North Carolina and is in compliance with North Carolina General Statutes Section (G.S.) 116–15(d)
    • Wyoming Department of Education and is in compliance with Wyoming Statues §212401 et. seq.
    • Texas Department of Education and is in compliance with Texas Tax Code Sections §151.310, §156.102 and §171.058.

    Shepherds Theological Seminary has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. This approval grants STS permission to offer distance education in 49 states and the District of Columbia: www.nc-sara.org.

    Financial Accountability

    Shepherds Theological Seminary is accredited by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) [440 West Jubal Early Ave., Winchester, VA 22601, Telephone: 800-323-9473, Website: www.ecfa.org]. ECFA accreditation is based on the ECFA Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship™ that include financial accountability, transparency, sound board governance, and ethical fundraising