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July 16, 2018

Northeastern Seminary Accreditation Reaffirmed

Northeastern Seminary has received reaffirmation of accreditation through 2028 from the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and 2026 from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Both decisions represent the maximum period of accreditation granted by these distinguished accrediting bodies. All current degree programs were approved, including the new, fully online options for the four Master’s degrees offered by Northeastern Seminary. “I congratulate the Seminary administration, faculty, and staff for their thorough and excellent preparation of the self-study, a critical component of the accreditation process,” said Dr. Deana L. Porterfield, president of Northeastern Seminary. “I especially thank Dr. Doug Cullum for his masterful oversight and leadership of the accreditation process. Not only has the Seminary successfully achieved re-accreditation with both ATS and MSCHE, they have implemented an entire program restructuring to offer both face to face and fully online programs. I am very grateful that the members of the Evaluation Committees of our accrediting bodies have given such strong affirmations of our vision and strategic direction. After a great deal of hard work and deep, reflective thinking, Northeastern Seminary is poised to enter a new chapter of growth, building on our mission of impacting the Kingdom of Christ."

The reaffirmation announcement concluded an academic year of two successful evaluations and countless hours of diligent reporting by Seminary staff and faculty to demonstrate that Northeastern provides the degrees, services, and resources necessary to fulfill its mission. Dr. Doug Cullum, vice president and dean of Northeastern Seminary, commented, “This academic year [2017-18] was a resounding success at Northeastern Seminary! Both of the Seminary's major accrediting bodies reaffirmed the high quality of the Seminary's educational programs, granting the maximum possible period of reaffirmation of accreditation—ten years from the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools and eight years from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This a major accomplishment and is a tribute to the dedication and competence of our faculty, staff, administration, and board of trustees.”

2018 also represents the 20th anniversary of the Seminary’s founding and the successful launch of all four Northeastern Master’s programs in fully online delivery. For Dr. Cullum, the accreditation process and continued growth of the Seminary’s academic offerings reveal the momentum of the institution. “As the Seminary steps into its twenty-first year, we move forward with great confidence in the excellence of our educational programs and the deep formation that happens in the lives of our students. Our mission to prepare women and men for faithful, effective ministry to the church and the world has never more vibrant and more needed than it is today. The future is bright!”


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