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Of the 56 full-time, first-time, degree-seeking students for the fall 2015 term, 31 (55%) completed a degree program by spring 2021. Fourteen (25%) students who did not graduate transferred to another institution.
We also enrolled 75 transfer students for the fall 2015 term, and 40 (53.3%) completed a degree program by spring 2021.
Comparative charts with graduation rate data for four years can be found in the university catalog. Our four-year average graduation rate is 55%. This is calculated by counting the number of full-time, first-time degree-seeking students who completed their program with 150% of normal time (six years) for the four years (2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015) divided by the number of full-time, first-time degree-seeking students enrolled during the same four-year period. Our four-year average transfer-out rate is 25%.
Multnomah University is committed to clear and reliable communication in accreditation reporting requirements. As stipulated in the 2008 reauthorization of the federal Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), Multnomah University endeavors to provide “information on placement of and types of employment obtained by graduates of the institutions’ degree or certificate programs” (p. 95).
The responsibility for meeting this federal requirement is also enforced by Multnomah’s accreditation agencies—the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and the Association of Theological Schools (ATS)—both of which include institutional standards regarding the provision of placement rates.
To meet this requirement, Multnomah University’s Career Services department surveys recent university graduates about job placement. This information, presented below, is updated annually.
Survey of 2022 MU Graduates
Question | Number of respondents | Percentage of respondents |
When did you graduate from Multnomah University? | ||
December 2021 | 16 | 26.23 |
May 2022 | 36 | 59.02 |
Other/Summer 2021 | 9 | 14.75 |
Total: | 61 | |
Which of the following best describes your primary employment status: | ||
Employed Full Time | 32 | 52.46 |
Employed Part-time | 16 | 22.36 |
Participating in a Volunteer or Service Program | 1 | 1.64 |
Serving in the US Military | 1 | 1.64 |
Enrolled in Continuing Education (Ph.D., Graduate program, etc.) | 6 | 9.84 |
Seeking Employment | 2 | 3.28 |
Planning to continue my education but not yet enrolled | 1 | 1.64 |
Not employed or continuing education nor seeking employment or further education at this time. | 2 | 3.28 |
Total: | 61 | |
Which of the following describes your primary employment status? | ||
In a job that requires a degree in my field of study. | 17 | 38.64 |
In a job that requires a degree, but not in my field of study. | 12 | 27.27 |
In a job that does not require a degree. | 16 | 36.36 |
Total: | 44 |
GRADUATION RATES
Multnomah Biblical Seminary students maintain steady academic progress. Graduation and time-to-completion rates are based upon the ATS Annual Report form and definitions as detailed below.
Master of Divinity
The graduation rate for Master of Divinity students is calculated by dividing the number of students who entered the program 6 years prior to the reporting date into the number from that group who have since graduated. The graduation rate is 68%. The time-to-completions rate shows that 94% of graduates completed the program within 6 years.
Professional Master of Arts
The graduation rate for students in a Professional MA program, which includes Master of Arts in Christian Leadership and Master of Arts in Applied Theology, is calculated by dividing the number of students who entered the program 4 years prior to the reporting date into the number from that group who have since graduated. The graduation rate is 57%. The time-to-completions rate shows 83% of graduates completed the program within 4 years.
Academic Master of Arts
The graduation rate for students in an Academic Master of Arts program, which includes Master of Arts in Biblical Studies and Master of Arts in Theological Studies, is calculated by dividing the number of students who entered the program 4 years prior to the reporting date into the number from that group who have since graduated. The graduation rate is 100%. The time-to-completions rate shows that 100% of graduates completed the program within 4 years.
PLACEMENT RATES
Multnomah Biblical Seminary annually reports the number of vocational placements of its graduates according to the prescribed categories of ATS. As such, the vocational placement rate measures the percentage of graduates in positions (compensated or volunteer) for which the degree program prepared them and includes placements prior to graduation until 18 months post-graduation.
Degree Type |
Placement Rate |
Graduate Rate |
Doctor of Ministry |
100% | 0%* |
Master of Divinity |
80% | 68% |
Master of Arts – Professional |
73% | 57% |
Master of Arts – Academic |
63% | 100% |
Grand Total: |
78% |
*no newly enrolled students in the cohort 6-years ago
Multnomah Biblical Seminary is committed to excellence in its equipping of students to become biblically competent, academically proficient, spiritually formed, and culturally engaged servant leaders. As a member of The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) and the Commission on Accrediting of ATS, Multnomah Biblical Seminary is committed to continuous quality improvement regarding the achievement of its mission. As such, Multnomah Biblical Seminary regularly assesses and reports educational effectiveness ratings to ATS and other regulatory agencies. Data for the following indicators of student satisfaction, the achievement of seminary educational purpose, and graduation and placement rates are based upon the ATS Annual Report and the ATS Graduating Student Questionnaire.
Indicators of MBS Student Satisfaction
Student Satisfaction: Overall Satisfying Experiences During Theological Program
Excerpts from 2020-21 ATS Graduating Student Questionnaire
- I have been satisfied with my academic experience here. | 4.7 / 5
- The faculty was supportive and understanding. | 4.7 / 5
- I have grown spiritually. | 4.8 / 5
- I have been able to integrate the theology and practice of ministry. | 5.0 / 5
- Quality of teaching | 4.8 / 5
Indicators of Achieving MBS Educational Purpose
Seminary Educational Purpose
Excerpts from 2020-21 ATS Graduating Student Questionnaire
DOCTRINAL CONVICTIONS
- Ability to use and interpret Scripture | 4.7 / 5
- Ability to think theologically | 4.3 / 5
SPIRITUAL MATURITY
- I have grown spiritually | 5.0 / 5
- My faith is stronger than when I came | 4.8 / 5
- Ability to live my faith in daily life | 4.4 / 5
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
- Ability to relate social issues to faith | 4.2 / 5
- Ability to use and interpret scripture | 4.7 / 5
- Ability to interact effectively with those of religious traditions other than my own | 4.0 / 5
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
- Ability to give spiritual direction | 4.5 / 5
- Ability to teach well | 4.0 / 5
- Knowledge of church doctrine and history | 4.5 / 5
GLOBAL VISION
- Awareness and appreciation of the globalized context in which ministry is practiced | 4.3 / 5
- Individuals of other faith traditions have been respected | 4.7 / 5
- Ability to interact effectively with those from cultural and racial/ethnic contexts other than my own | 4.0 / 5