GCU
1. Institutional Mission and Commitment to Educational Effectiveness
Georgia Central University (GCU) is a Christ-centered institution of higher education committed to preparing students for Christian leadership, theological scholarship, professional service, and meaningful contributions to the global community.
The School of Divinity advances this mission by providing theological education grounded in biblical truth, academic excellence, spiritual formation, and practical ministry preparation. GCU is committed to the systematic assessment of educational effectiveness and continuous institutional improvement.
In accordance with the expectations of the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), the School of Divinity makes information regarding educational effectiveness publicly available.
This statement presents available institutional student achievement data, identifies relevant measures of educational effectiveness, and describes the framework through which the school evaluates and improves its educational programs..
2. ATS-Accredited Degree Programs
The GCU School of Divinity offers the following ATS-approved degree programs:
- 1. Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
- 2. Master of Arts in Christian Education (M.A.C.E.)
- 3. Master of Arts in Mission Studies and World Christianity (M.A.M.S.W.C.)
- 4. Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)
- 5. Doctor of Philosophy in Intercultural Studies (Ph.D.)
These programs prepare students for Christian ministry, theological education, missionary service, leadership, research, and other forms of Christian service.
3. Educational Goals and Expected Outcomes
The School of Divinity seeks to achieve the following educational outcomes
Outcome 1: Biblical and Theological Knowledge
Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of Scripture, Christian theology, church history, and the biblical foundations of Christian faith and ministry.Outcome 2: Theological Interpretation and Critical Thinking
Graduates will demonstrate the ability to interpret biblical and theological texts, evaluate theological perspectives, and apply sound reasoning to contemporary ministry and academic contexts.Outcome 3: Spiritual Formation and Christian Character
Graduates will demonstrate a commitment to spiritual maturity, Christian integrity, ethical leadership, and lifelong spiritual development.Outcome 4: Ministry and Professional Competence
Graduates will demonstrate knowledge and skills appropriate to their degree programs, including preaching, teaching, pastoral leadership, Christian education, missions, research, and intercultural ministry.Outcome 5: Global and Intercultural Engagement
Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of cultural diversity and the ability to engage responsibly and effectively in global Christian ministry and service.Outcome 6: Advanced Scholarship and Research
Graduates of doctoral programs will demonstrate advanced analytical, research, and professional competencies appropriate to their respective degrees.4. Student Achievement and Institutional Performance
Georgia Central University publicly reports student retention, graduation, and placement information as indicators of student achievement.
The following figures are drawn from the university's published Graduation and Placement Rate information.
4.1 Student Retention Rates
| Student Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNDERGRADUATE - ALL | 71% | 93% | 92% |
| GRADUATE - ALL | 87% | 85% | 88% |
The 2025 graduate retention rate was 88%, representing 29 of 33 students in the reported population.
These institutional figures provide contextual information about student persistence. They are not presented as separate retention rates for individual ATS-accredited degree programs.
4.2 Graduation Rates
| Student Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNDERGRADUATE - ALL | 65% | 83% | 77% |
| GRADUATE - ALL | 75% | 86% | 85% |
| GRADUATE - Male | 86% | 92% | 82% |
| GRADUATE - Female | 93% | 89% | 89% |
In 2026, the university reported an overall graduate graduation rate of 83%, representing 22 of 26 students in the reported population.
These figures represent university-level graduate outcomes and should not be interpreted as graduation rates for individual School of Divinity degree programs.
4.3 Graduate Placement Rates
| Academic Unit | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| School of Divinity | 100% | 100% | 100% |
The School of Divinity reported a placement rate of 100% for 2026, representing 12 of 12 graduates in the reported placement population.
GCU defines placement as graduates who are employed or pursuing further education.
The School of Divinity placement results provide evidence of positive post-graduation outcomes. However, the published information is aggregated at the school level rather than disaggregated by individual degree program.
5. Assessment of Student Learning
The School of Divinity recognizes that educational effectiveness must be demonstrated through more than enrollment, graduation, and placement statistics.
Assessment of student learning should include direct evidence of academic achievement and indirect evidence of student experiences and graduate outcomes.
Relevant direct assessment measures include:
- Evaluation of student research papers and academic assignments.
- Assessment of biblical and theological knowledge.
- Evaluation of ministry-related projects and practical assignments.
- Assessment of comprehensive examinations, where applicable.
- Evaluation of doctoral dissertations and ministry projects.
- Assessment of program-specific learning outcomes.
Relevant indirect assessment measures include:
- Student course evaluations.
- Graduating student surveys.
- Alumni surveys.
- Student satisfaction surveys.
- Graduate employment and ministry information.
- Faculty and program review feedback.
The university's institutional assessment framework emphasizes systematic data collection, analysis, interpretation, and continuous improvement.
Program-specific assessment results will be incorporated into the public statement following verification and approval through the university's institutional effectiveness review process.
6. Spiritual Formation and Ministerial Preparation
Spiritual formation is an essential component of theological education at Georgia Central University.
The university integrates biblical instruction, theological reflection, worship, prayer, and Christian service into its educational environment.
Students are encouraged to develop a Christ-centered worldview and demonstrate spiritual maturity, ethical responsibility, and a commitment to serving God and others.
The School of Divinity recognizes that spiritual and ministerial formation must be evaluated through appropriate qualitative and quantitative assessment methods.
Relevant evidence may include student reflections, ministry evaluations, spiritual formation assessments, and graduate feedback.
Such information will be included in future updates when verified aggregate results are available.
7. Continuous Improvement and Institutional Assessment
Georgia Central University maintains an institutional effectiveness framework intended to support systematic assessment and evidence-based improvement.
The university identifies the following purposes of institutional assessment:
- 1. Improving educational programs, student support services, and institutional operations.
- 2. Supporting institutional planning and decision-making.
- 3. Demonstrating achievement of educational goals and student learning outcomes.
- 4. Providing relevant information to students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders.
The School of Divinity is committed to using assessment findings to strengthen curriculum quality, teaching effectiveness, academic advising, student support, and ministry preparation.
Future public reports will seek to provide additional program-specific evidence of student learning and graduate outcomes.
8. Public Accountability and Annual Review
The School of Divinity is committed to maintaining transparency regarding educational effectiveness.
This statement is intended to be reviewed and updated annually using verified institutional records, assessment findings, student achievement information, and relevant feedback.
The Office of Institutional Effectiveness, in collaboration with the School of Divinity and the Office of Academic Affairs, will support the collection, verification, and review of information included in future updates.
The university will maintain public access to its educational effectiveness information through its official website.
9. Publicly Available Institutional Information
Additional information concerning student achievement, assessment, institutional effectiveness, and accreditation is available through the following GCU website sections:
- Graduation and Placement Rate
- Institutional Effectiveness
- Accreditation and Authorization
- University Catalog
10. Statement of Commitment
Georgia Central University School of Divinity affirms its commitment to educational excellence, theological integrity, student achievement, spiritual formation, and continuous institutional improvement.
The School recognizes that educational effectiveness must be demonstrated through meaningful evidence of student learning, academic achievement, graduate outcomes, and institutional improvement.
Through systematic assessment and responsible public reporting, the School seeks to fulfill its educational mission and maintain accountability to students, graduates, churches, accrediting organizations, and the broader community.