Accreditation and Educational Effectiveness
Accreditation is a review process to ensure that the education provided by the Franciscan School of Theology meets acceptable levels of quality, as recognized by the commissions of the accrediting agencies. FST’s two accrediting agencies have determined that the institution has clearly defined objectives appropriate to its mission and goals as a post-secondary educational institution and is implementing them in a way consistent with the commissions’ standards.
What does Accreditation mean?
Accreditation means that the commissions of the accrediting agencies have determined that the Franciscan School of Theology has clearly defined objectives appropriate to post-secondary education and is implementing them consistent with the commissions’ standards.
The degree programs accredited by (ATS) and (WSCUC):
The following programs are accredited by both the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC):
- Master of Theological Studies
- Master of Theological Studies – Franciscan Theology (online)
- Master of Divinity
- Master of Arts
Two other programs are accredited by WSCUC:
- Certificate in Franciscan Theology
- Doctorate of Education in Catholic Social Thought in Practice, offered jointly with the University of San Diego
The Franciscan School of Theology is accredited by two agencies:
Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS)
10 Summit Park Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15275 USA
Telephone: (412) 788-6505
Fax: (412) 788-6510
WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100
Alameda, CA 94501 USA
Telephone: (510) 748-9001
Fax: (510) 748-9797
Educational Effectiveness
The Franciscan School of Theology is committed to academic excellence and pastoral formation rooted in the Franciscan tradition. We measure our educational effectiveness through several means: Academic Program Review, Student Completions and Placement data, and Alumni Surveys.
Institutional Learning Outcomes
The Franciscan School of Theology educates students to a coherent understanding of the Roman Catholic theological tradition through the lens of the Franciscan heritage. Graduates will have the skills to lead in a spirit of openness and collaboration with the work of God’s kingdom.
A graduate of FST will be able to:
- Demonstrate a breadth of theological knowledge in dialogue with a religiously and culturally diverse world
- Interpret and communicate this knowledge in a pastorally appropriate way
- Integrate theological knowledge and affective growth to inform pastoral engagement
- Create original research to advance theological knowledge
- Apply pastoral sensitivity in interactions with persons and communities of diverse cultures and perspectives.
Academic Program Review
The five-year Academic Program Review process was instituted in 2024 as a way to evaluate student achievement toward the institutional learning objectives and the institution’s ability to fulfill its mission. The Academic Program Review template is found here. A current timeline for the five-year process is found here.
Student Completion and Placement
| Degree Program | Students Graduating in AY 2025-26 |
| MDiv | 2 |
| MTS | 7 |
| MTS-FT (online) | 18 |
| MA | 1 |
Completions (graduation rate) by degree category
(Completions data from ATS Institutional Peer Profile Report 2025, p. 26)
Graduate Placements
(ATS Institutional Peer Profile Report 2025, p. 24)
Alumni Survey
In late 2025, FST conducted a survey of the 133 alumni who graduated since FST’s move to Southern California in 2013. Of 133 total alumni, 78 responded, 58.6%.
Do you feel the degree program prepared you for your work or ministry?
-100% answered “yes”
If you were making your graduate school decision today, would you choose FST again?
-95% answered “yes”
-5% answered “don’t know” or “maybe”
Would you recommend FST to someone considering a degree or certificate program?
-97% answered “yes”
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