A full ten-year reaffirmation of accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) has been granted to Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

“We are grateful to receive this strong affirmation and full ten-year renewal from our two accrediting agencies. The accreditation process is an opportunity for us to reflect honestly on areas of strength and areas needing improvement,” said Seminary President Dr. Thomas J. Egger. “Outside experts in educational administration examine our work and our Seminary closely. The visit teams were impressed with our students, our faculty and staff, our programs, our community life, our financial and operational integrity, our beautiful and well-maintained campus, our deep continuing ties to the LCMS, and the outstanding support we receive from the leadership and people of our denomination. Concordia Seminary is truly blessed!”

The HLC report documented the Seminary’s strengths in several key areas, including the clarity and alignment of the Seminary’s mission in particular as it relates to academic programs, student support and expectations for students; the integrity of Seminary operations based on scriptural teachings and adherence to doctrinal beliefs and practices as professed by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS); the quality of the Seminary’s academic programs and the support provided for student learning and effective teaching; and a clear demonstration that the Seminary is positioned to fulfill its mission, offer quality educational programs and respond to future challenges and opportunities. 

The ATS report noted the Seminary’s distinctive strengths, including its nearly two century commitment to its mission to provide the LCMS and its churches with pastors, deaconesses, missionaries and professors; the strong financial support the Seminary receives for its annual operations and ongoing student financial aid programs; and the Seminary’s deep engagement in the life of the church and with its constituent stakeholders. In addition, the ATS praised the school’s commitment to campus hospitality and providing resources for students and their families.

“The Concordia Seminary community is celebrating the wonderful news that our two accrediting agencies, HLC and ATS, have both granted us accreditation for a period of ten years. These two accrediting agencies analyzed the work of Concordia Seminary in detail and found that we offer excellent theological education and practical experiences within a community of Christian love and with the strong support of the LCMS. The visit teams were impressed with our rigorous and holistic approach that demands a lot of our students and shapes them academically, spiritually, vocationally and personally,” said Provost Dr. Ronald Mudge. “We thank God that our accrediting agencies recognize the excellent work we are doing at forming pastors, deaconesses, missionaries and scholars."

Visitation teams from the HLC and ATS were on campus throughout 2023, and their recommendations were received in formal reports released in 2023 and earlier this year, respectively. As a result of the positive findings, the next accreditation reviews will not take place until 2032-33.

About Concordia Seminary

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit csl.edu.