On Nov. 9-12, a team representing the Association of Theological Schools in the U.S. and Canada (ATS) and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) accrediting agencies will visit Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. The team will evaluate the Seminary's ability to meet the NCA's Criteria for Accreditation and General Institutional Requirements and the General Institutional Standards of the ATS. In 1983 and 1993, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, was granted the maximum accreditation extension possible from its accrediting agencies - 10 years.

In preparation for the visit, a 150-page "Self-Study Report for the Reaffirmation of Accreditation of Concordia Seminary" (Self-Study) was prepared following a year-long process of self-examination and evaluation by the faculty, staff and students of Concordia Seminary. The examination process had two purposes. "The first was to provide a comprehensive assessment of the ability of Concordia Seminary to achieve its stated mission, purpose and outcomes…A second but no less important objective was to demonstrate the fact that Concordia Seminary continues to meet or exceed the accreditation standards set both by the NCA and the ATS" (Self-Study, p. 5).

The Self-Study document presents the findings of the year-long evaluation process in many aspects of the Seminary formation process. Included are sections titled "Programs and Curriculum," "Faculty, Teaching, Learning, Scholarship," and "Student Support."

Following the publication and distribution of the Self-Study, an open forum for student discussion of the Self-Study was held. All students were invited to become engaged in this important aspect of the accreditation process, react to the evaluative work of the Self-Study Committee and offer suggestions as to how the Seminary could fulfill its mission with even greater effectiveness.

"The Self-Study process that has helped us prepare for this visitation has provided a comprehensive assessment of Concordia Seminary," commented Dr. Andrew H. Bartelt, vice president for academic affairs at Concordia Seminary. "In so doing, we have evaluated our strengths and identified areas for improvement, all of which will assist in our planning process, as we 'serve church and world' with a spirit of faithfulness, servanthood, responsiveness and excellence."

For further information, please contact Dr. Paul W. Robinson, Self Study Coordinator, at (314) 505-7133 or robinsonp@csl.edu.