Student Outcomes

In keeping with its commitment to operational and educational quality, B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary monitors the retention, completion, and employment rates of its students and graduates. It also monitors the rate at which students who require professional licensure pass their state exams. This information provides insight on student performance and satisfaction from enrollment to graduation. Below are highlights of student educational outcomes at B. H. Carroll.

Doctor of Philosophy & Doctor of Ministry

In the PhD program, which combines elements of the British and American models and offers instruction through seminars, one-to-one mentorships, and colloquia, around three-fourths of enrolled students complete the degree, based on data from the years 2005-2020. Most students complete the degree in around five years.

According to the latest statistics

78% of enrolled students complete the PhD program
33% of graduates are serving as full-time faculty members at sister theological institutions
42% of graduates serve as both pastors or counselors, as well as adjunct faculty in sister theological institutions
17% of graduates serve as full-time pastors
8% of graduates hold denominational offices

Historically, B. H. Carroll’s Doctor of Ministry program graduation rate is 78%. A newly redesigned Doctor of Ministry program was launched in 2020; those students continue to be on track for graduation, as well.

Retention Rate

The year-to-year retention rate for doctoral programs is 91%; the retention rate over 17 years is 72%.

Number of Graduates

Doctor of Ministry: 9
Doctor of Philosophy: 45

Master’s Degrees

Many students who come to B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary are already employed by churches, parachurch ministries, or other religious non-profits during the course of their studies. Accordingly, most are enrolled part time.

Entering Students

All students now complete a new “Entering Student Survey” as part of their introductory Gateway course at B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary. The following figures are based on a survey of entering students conducted August 2020-September 2023.

75% of entering students work more than 20 hours per week
73% of entering students are married
65% of entering students enrolled on a part-time basis
59% of entering students are female
58% of entering students were forty (40) years old or younger
55% of entering students attend churches with less than 500 members (19% attend churches with less than 100 members)
69% have held, been elected to, or appointed to a leadership position in a local church in the past five (5) years
35% of entering students have already earned another master’s degree (includes Juris Doctor)

Entering student master’s-level and certificate-level enrollment by degree program from August 2020-September 2023:

12% Master of Divinity
2% Master of Divinity (Chaplaincy)
42% Master of Arts (Counseling)
2% Master of Arts (Christian Education)
4% Master of Arts (Worship)
6% Master of Arts (Christian Ministry)
10% Master of Arts (Religion)
2% Master of Arts (Theology)
2% Graduate Certificate
16% Ministry Certificate

Denominational affiliation of students entering from August 2020-September 2023:

73% Baptist (includes Southern Baptist, American Baptist, National Baptist, and others)
6% Other Denominations (Pentecostal, Evangelical Free Church, and others)
20% Non-Denominational

New students indicated their top five reasons for choosing to attend B. H. Carroll were:

73% claimed “Theological Perspective”
73% claimed “Flexible Schedule”
65% claimed “Affordability of Tuition and Fees”
43% claimed “Curriculum”
31% claimed “Academic Reputation”

Retention Rate

The year-to-year retention rate for master’s programs is 61%.

Master’s-Level Graduation Rate

The flexibility of pursuing a degree at B. H. Carroll plays a role in the graduation rates for our standard three-year degree plans as students are often working in ministry full time as they pursue these degrees. Most students take an average of two classes per term, but many times only one. Thus, while our graduation rate over three years is 25%, most students who complete a degree do so over a five- to six-year period. Our degree duration expectation is calculated at 200% of the normal degree completion time, to account for the high percentage of part-time students.

Average Time to Master’s Degree Completion

Master of Arts in Christian Education: 6.7 Years
Master of Arts in Counseling: 3.77 Years
Master of Arts in Religion: 5.38 Years
Master of Arts in Theology: 6.13 Years
Master of Arts in Worship: 6.78 Years
Master of Divinity: 5.46 Years

Number of Graduates

Master of Arts in Christian Education: 17
Master of Arts in Christian Counseling (Licensure and Ministry): 48
Master of Arts in Religion: 62
Master of Arts in Theology: 108
Master of Arts in Worship: 9
Master of Divinity: 26

Data from Graduating Students

A Graduating Student Survey, based on data categories set by the Association of Theological Schools, is issued annually. The figures below represent survey data obtained from a small pool of students.

Average time to degree completion: 5.7 years
51% of graduating students were pursuing the degree part-time.
83% of graduating students are currently serving in fulltime or part time ministry.
91% of graduating students were very satisfied with accessibility of the faculty.
100% of graduating students were very satisfied with the quality of teaching.
86% of graduating students were very satisfied or satisfied with their experience with Carroll library resources.
100% of graduating students “strongly agree” with the statement, “I have been satisfied with my academic experience here.”
91% of graduating students “strongly agree” their experience at Carroll has enhanced their spiritual formation.
95% of graduating students “strongly agree” with the statement, “My faith is stronger than when I came.”

NOTE: Institutional figures will be updated following Spring Commencement.

Measuring Up

As part of its effort to maintain excellence in theological education, B. H. Carroll regularly compares its degree goals with measures from the Association of Theological Schools on educational quality. Click on the drop down for each degree to see its stated goals and the manner in which B. H. Carroll’s theological education measures up to its peer schools accredited by ATS.

Based on comparison to the 2022-2023 Graduating Student Questionnaire Total Schools Profile from the Association of Theological Schools, B. H. Carroll meets or exceeds nearly all outcomes which underpin the goals of its degrees.

Master of Divinity

Master of Divinity (MDIV)

The central goals (adapted from ATS standard 4.3) of the Carroll MDiv degree, as an advanced professional program oriented toward ordained ministry and for general pastoral and religious leadership, include the following:

Goal 1: Master of Divinity degree recipients will give evidence of a comprehensive and discriminating understanding of their religious heritage.

Goal 2: Master of Divinity degree recipients will give evidence of an understanding of the cultural realities and structures within which the church lives and carries out its mission.

Goal 3: Master of Divinity degree recipients will give evidence of personal growth—faith, emotional maturity, moral integrity, and public witness. They will also give evidence of development of certain capacities—intellectual and affective, individual and corporate, ecclesial and public—that are requisite to a life of pastoral leadership.

Goal 4: Master of Divinity degree recipients will give evidence of personal theological reflection on the practice of ministry and demonstrate a capacity for leadership in both ecclesial and public contexts.

Master of Divinity (Chaplaincy)

The central goals (adapted from ATS standard 4.3) of the Carroll M.Div. in Chaplain Ministry degree, as an advanced professional program oriented toward preparing persons for ministry in pluralistic environments, include the following:

Goal 1: Master of Divinity in Chaplain Ministry degree recipients will give evidence of a thorough and discerning knowledge of their own religious beliefs and practices in the context of the broader Christian heritage.

Goal 2: Master of Divinity in Chaplain Ministry degree recipients will give evidence of an understanding of institutional realities within which they minister.

Goal 3: Master of Divinity in Chaplain Ministry degree recipients will give evidence of personal growth in faith, emotional maturity, moral integrity, and public witness. They will also give evidence of development in the following capacities requisite to a life of pastoral and institutional leadership: intellectual growth and affective behavior; individual identity and corporate cooperation; and ecclesial and public leadership.

Goal 4: Master of Divinity in Chaplain Ministry degree recipients will give evidence of personal theological reflection on the practice of ministry and demonstrate leadership in public, institutional, and ecclesial settings.

Goal 5: Master of Divinity in Chaplain Ministry degree recipients will give evidence of the ability to minister in pluralistic, institutional settings.

Goal 6: Master of Divinity in Chaplain Ministry degree recipients will give evidence of being able to minister in high intensity settings.

Master of Arts (Academic)

Master of Arts in Theology (MAT)

The central goals (adapted from ATS standard 4.10) of the Carroll Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) degree, as an advanced academic program oriented toward fuller mastery is a specific theological discipline, include the following:

Goal 1: Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) degree recipients will demonstrate an advanced understanding of a focused area or discipline in the context of general theological study.

Goal 2:Master of Arts in Theological Studies (MATS) degree recipients will demonstrate a capacity to use research methods and resources in a focused area or discipline, and the ability to formulate productive questions.

Master of Arts (Professional)

Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC)

The central goals of the Carroll MAC degree, as an advanced professional program leading to state licensure or church and community service, include the following:

Goal 1: Master of Arts in Counseling degree recipients will give evidence of capacity for critical and constructive theological reflection regarding the content and processes of counseling ministry.

Goal 2: Master of Arts in Counseling degree recipients will give evidence of understanding of the educational, social, and behavioral sciences which undergird counseling practice, as well as the cultural contexts in which counseling ministry occurs.

Goal 3: Master of Arts in Counseling degree recipients will give evidence of growth in personal and spiritual maturity.

Master of Arts in Christian Education (MACE)

The central goals (adapted from ATS standard 4.6) of the Carroll MA in Christian Education degree, as an advanced professional program oriented toward leadership in education ministry, include the following:

Goal 1: Master of Arts in Christian Education degree recipients will give evidence of capacity for critical and constructive theological reflection regarding the content and processes of educational ministry.

Goal 2: Master of Arts in Christian Education degree recipients will give evidence of understanding of the educational, social, and behavioral sciences that undergird educational practice, as well as the cultural contexts in which educational ministry occurs.

Goal 3: Master of Arts in Christian Education degree recipients will give evidence of growth in personal and spiritual maturity.

Goal 4: Master of Arts in Christian Education degree recipients will give evidence of skill in teaching and in the design, administration, and assessment of educational programming.

Master of Arts in Worship (MAW)

The central goals (adapted from ATS standard 4.6) of the Carroll M.A. in Worship degree, as an advanced professional program oriented leadership in worship ministry, include the following:

Goal 1: Master of Arts in Worship degree recipients will give evidence of capacity for critical and constructive theological reflection regarding the content and processes of worship ministry.

Goal 2: Master of Arts in Worship degree recipients will give evidence of understanding of worship planning, design, and history and competence in worship leadership within the cultural context in which worship ministry occurs.

Goal 3: Master of Arts in Worship degree recipients will give evidence of growth in personal and spiritual maturity.

Master of Arts in Religion (MAR)

The central goals (adapted from ATS standard 4.6) of the Carroll MAR degree, as an advanced academic program oriented toward general theological education, include the following:

Goal 1: Master of Arts (Religion) degree recipients will give evidence of a survey-knowledge of various theological disciplines.

Goal 2: Master of Arts (Religion) degree recipients will give evidence of focused knowledge in a specific discipline, or interdisciplinary knowledge.

Master of Arts in Christian Ministry (MACM)

The central goals of the Carroll MACM degree, as a professional program oriented toward general theological education and practical ministry application, include the following:

Goal 1: MACM degree recipients will give evidence of survey knowledge of various theological disciplines.

Goal 2: MACM degree recipients will give evidence of growth and spiritual maturity.

Goal 3: MACM degree recipients will give evidence of knowledge, attitudes, and skills essential for Christian ministry in churches and other settings.

THIS DEGREE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2021 AND HAS HAD NO GRADUATES TO DATE.

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