Short answer: an accredited seminary is one reviewed by an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA, most often the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). ATS has roughly 270 member schools in the U.S. and Canada. The list below is a sample of well-known schools, not every member.
Well-known accredited seminaries
| School | Location | Accreditation | Cost note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Theological SeminaryNondenominational evangelical; online degrees | Dallas, TX | ATS, SACSCOC | Verify with school |
| Southern Baptist Theological SeminarySouthern Baptist; online MDiv | Louisville, KY | ATS, SACSCOC | Reduced SBC rate |
| Southeastern Baptist Theological SeminarySouthern Baptist; online master's | Wake Forest, NC | ATS, SACSCOC | Reduced SBC rate |
| Reformed Theological SeminaryPresbyterian and Reformed; online MA | Jackson, MS + campuses | ATS, SACSCOC | Verify with school |
| Gordon-Conwell Theological SeminaryMulti-denominational evangelical | South Hamilton, MA + Charlotte | ATS, NECHE | Verify with school |
| Asbury Theological SeminaryWesleyan; online MDiv | Wilmore, KY | ATS, SACSCOC | Verify with school |
| Duke Divinity SchoolUnited Methodist; residential MDiv | Durham, NC | ATS, SACSCOC | Large scholarships common |
| Princeton Theological SeminaryPresbyterian (PCUSA) | Princeton, NJ | ATS, MSCHE | Full-tuition aid common |
| Fuller Theological SeminaryMulti-denominational; online MDiv | Pasadena, CA | ATS, WSCUC | Verify with school |
| Midwestern Baptist Theological SeminarySouthern Baptist; low-cost online options | Kansas City, MO | ATS, HLC | Reduced SBC rate |
Which accreditors count
ATS is the main accreditor for graduate theology. Regional accreditors (SACSCOC, HLC, MSCHE, NECHE, WSCUC, NWCCU) cover whole universities. ABHE and TRACS also accredit some graduate programs. Some groups that call themselves accreditors are not recognized; see our guide to checking accreditation.
Find a seminary by tradition or state
Browse Baptist, Reformed, Methodist, Catholic and non-denominational seminaries, or by state: North Carolina, Oregon, Colorado and Dallas–Fort Worth. On a budget? See the cheapest ATS-accredited seminaries and cheapest online MDiv programs.
Frequently asked questions
- What does it mean for a seminary to be accredited?
- An accredited seminary has been reviewed by an outside body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA. For seminaries the main accreditor is the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Many also hold regional accreditation such as SACSCOC, HLC or WSCUC.
- Why does seminary accreditation matter?
- Accreditation affects federal financial aid, whether other schools accept your credits, military and hospital chaplaincy, and ordination in many denominations. Chaplaincy endorsers usually require an MDiv from an accredited school.
- How do I check if a seminary is accredited?
- Search the school in the ATS member directory at ats.edu and in the Department of Education's DAPIP database. If the accreditor is not recognized by the Department of Education or CHEA, the accreditation may not count for aid or chaplaincy.
- Are online seminaries accredited?
- Many are. ATS approves online degrees at a large share of its member schools, including Southern, Southeastern, Midwestern, Asbury, Fuller and Dallas Theological Seminary. Check that the specific online program, not just the school, is approved.
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