Educational Effectiveness

Statement on Educational Effectiveness

To ensure that we are fulfilling our mission and vision, St. Bernard’s administration, faculty, and staff are involved in a continual process of assessment with regard to our graduate programs and the individual courses within those programs. Feedback from our students is one of the most important elements involved in our attempt to uphold the highest standards of accountability to our institutional vision. Our students’ observations and responses assist us in continually improving the effectiveness of the theological education and ministerial training that students receive at St. Bernard’s.

In order to collect and process student feedback, we employ a survey instrument - the Graduating Student Questionnaire - administered through the Association of Theological Schools, our accrediting institution. Graduating students rate various aspects of their educational experience at St. Bernard’s. See below for feedback gathered from some of our graduates (May 2018). The categories and data have been organized to offer a helpful view of the effectiveness of areas that are important to program outcomes and overall formational components.

Educational Effectiveness in Facilitating Skill Areas

1-Very dissatisfied, 2 – Dissatisfied, 3 – Neutral, 4 – Satisfied, 5 – Very Satisfied

Knowledge and Skills	MAPS & MDiv (avg)
Knowledge of church doctrine and history	4.4
Knowledge of my own religious tradition	4.4
Knowledge of church polity/canon law	4.1
Knowledge of Christian philosophy and ethics	4.7
Knowledge of other religious traditions	4.4
Ability to use and interpret Scripture	4.6
Ability to think theologically	4.8
Ability to preach well	4.2
Ability to teach well	4.1
Ability to relate social issues to faith	4.5
Ability to conduct worship/liturgy	4.2
Ability to administer a parish	3.8
Ability in pastoral care	4.3