Statement of Educational Effectiveness
Antiochian House of Studies
Educational Excellence at AHOS
The Antiochian House of Studies serves a diverse community of more than 340 students across graduate degree programs and certificate offerings in Orthodox theological education. Our commitment to academic excellence, spiritual formation, and ministerial preparation is reflected in strong retention rates and degree completion outcomes.
Mission: The Antiochian House of Studies is committed to providing exceptional theological education rooted in Orthodox Christian tradition, preparing men and women for meaningful ministry, scholarship, and service in the Church and the world.
The faculty and staff of the Antiochian House of Studies are dedicated to the fulfillment of this mission through a continuous cycle of evaluation and improvement of academic programs, services, and overall effectiveness of theological education at AHOS.
AHOS uses key metrics to measure program effectiveness:
- Year-to-Year Retention Rates
- Degree Completion Rates
- Graduation Placement Surveys – Visit this link to see the 2025 report.
Graduate Programs Performance
Graduate Degree Programs Summary
| Program | Retention Rate | Most Recent | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Divinity (MDiv) | 82.2% | 90.3% | 70% |
| Master of Theological Studies (MTS)* | 71.1% | 68.4% | 70% |
| Master of Pastoral Care (MPCC) | 85.7% | 84.6% | 70% |
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)** | — | 83.3% | 70% |
| Graduate Programs Average | 78.3% | 78.9% | 70% |
* MTS rates reflect 2-year average using Academic Year Persistence Rate methodology
** PhD program admits cohorts biennially; multi-year average not reported due to admission cycle
Year-to-Year Retention Rates
| Fall 2022* | Fall 2023 | Fall 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 85.6% | 77.7% | 78.9% |
The year-to-year retention rate is the percentage of degree-seeking students in graduate programs who remain active or complete their degree one year after their start date.
*Note on Fall 2022: The Fall 2022 rate (85.6%) reflects only MDiv, MPCC, and PhD programs, as the MTS program had not yet implemented its Academic Year Persistence Rate methodology during this period.
Goal
The Antiochian House of Studies aims to maintain a 70% or higher student retention rate across graduate academic programs.
Results
Graduate programs achieved 78.9% retention in Fall 2024, significantly exceeding the 70% goal. This demonstrates strong program effectiveness and student commitment to degree completion.
Graduate Program Retention Analysis
AHOS assesses retention and completion rates for graduate programs using Association of Theological Schools (ATS) standards. Each program maintains specific goals aligned to program structure, student demographics, and institutional mission.
Master of Divinity (MDiv)
Goal
For the Master of Divinity degree (90-96 credit hours), the Seminary strives for 70% of MDiv students to maintain enrollment or complete within the program timeframe.
Results
The MDiv program achieved 90.3% retention in the most recent year, significantly exceeding the 70% goal and demonstrating exceptional program effectiveness.
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
MTS-Specific Methodology
The MTS program uses an Academic Year Persistence Rate to measure student retention. This metric tracks students enrolled in any term of an academic year (Fall or Spring) and measures their continuation or graduation in the following academic year.
This methodology reflects the part-time nature of the program and accounts for working professionals who may occasionally pause for one semester while remaining committed to degree completion. The program achieved 73.7% retention in the previous year and 68.4% in the most recent year.
Goal
For the MTS degree (48-60 credits), the Seminary strives for 70% of students to maintain enrollment or complete their degree within the program timeframe.
Results
The MTS program achieved 73.7% persistence in the previous year, exceeding the 70% goal. The most recent year shows 68.4%, demonstrating consistent program effectiveness for working adult students approaching the institutional target.
Master of Pastoral Care and Counseling (MPCC)
Goal
For the MPCC degree (48-60 credits), the Seminary strives for 70% of students to maintain enrollment or complete their degree within the program timeframe.
Results
The MPCC program achieved 84.6% retention in the most recent year, exceeding the 70% goal and demonstrating strong program effectiveness and student commitment.
Doctor of Philosophy in Orthodox Studies (PhD)
Note: The PhD program admits new cohorts every two years (biennially), which affects year-to-year retention calculations. The program's retention is measured during admission years when both new and continuing students are enrolled, providing a more accurate assessment of program effectiveness.
Goal
For the PhD degree, the Seminary strives for 70% of doctoral students to maintain enrollment or complete within eight years, accounting for the biennial admission cycle.
Results
The PhD program achieved 83.3% retention in the most recent admission year (2024-2025), exceeding the 70% goal. This demonstrates significant program maturation and effectiveness in doctoral education.
Summary & Continuous Improvement
Total Active Students: More than 340 students across all programs
Total Graduates: 91 program completers over three years
Graduate Programs Retention: 78.9% (Fall 2024)
AHOS demonstrates strong performance across graduate theological education programs, with all programs meeting or exceeding the 70% retention goal. The Seminary's commitment to evidence-based program enhancement, personalized academic advising, and comprehensive student support services contributes to these positive outcomes.
Data Methodology
Data Source: All data derived from Populi Student Information System.
Retention Rate Calculation: Fall-to-Fall retention rate = (Re-enrolled Students + Graduated Students) / Initial Cohort × 100
Programs Included in Overall Rates: Year-to-year retention rates for graduate programs include Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Pastoral Care and Counseling (MPCC), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) for all years. Master of Theological Studies (MTS) is included in the most recent two years using Academic Year Persistence Rate methodology.
MTS-Specific Methodology: Due to the part-time, adult-focused nature of the MTS program, retention is calculated using an Academic Year Persistence Rate. This metric includes all students enrolled in an academic year (Fall or Spring) and measures their continued enrollment or graduation in the following academic year. This approach accounts for the flexible enrollment patterns common among working adult students while maintaining rigorous standards for measuring academic progress.
Academic Year Persistence Rate Formula: (Students Continuing + Students Graduated) / Initial Academic Year Cohort × 100
PhD-Specific Consideration: The PhD program admits cohorts biennially; retention metrics for this program reflect performance in admission years to provide accurate assessment of program effectiveness.
Reporting Standards: Calculations follow methodologies established by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and IPEDS federal reporting requirements, with program-specific adaptations where appropriate for part-time and biennial enrollment patterns.
Time Period: Data covers Fall 2022 through Fall 2025 for graduate programs.
Last Updated: December 13, 2024