AMBS reaccredited

Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary recently received notice of reaccreditation for the next ten years from the two accrediting agencies that reviewed AMBS programs and practices.

The Higher Learning Commission of the Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools voted at their August meeting to continue accreditation of AMBS graduate degree programs. The Association of Theological Schools had earlier reaffirmed accreditation in June.

“Reaccreditation is an affirmation of the quality education that AMBS has been offering students,” George R. Brunk III, interim president, said. “The church is assured that graduates of AMBS are prepared to serve as leaders in the church’s life and mission. It opens doors of opportunity to our graduates in further educational and vocational pursuits.”

Rebecca Slough, AMBS dean, explained, “The accrediting agencies do not set the mission statement, values or curriculum, but they look at what we say we are doing and ask how well we are doing it. They don’t tell us what our strategic plan has to be, but ask how we are meeting it in light of best practices of education.”

AMBS’s continuing accreditation is important to the church because it signals that AMBS educational programs have integrity with the seminary’s goals and mission, Slough pointed out. Because the review is conducted in the context of the larger field of graduate study, the reaccreditation affirms that AMBS programs are comparable with those of other schools. It also allows students to qualify for federal student loans, to transfer credits to other schools and to qualify for doctoral studies.

AMBS is a seminary of Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA. Its stated mission is to prepare leaders for God’s reconciling work in the world. AMBS offers programs for study for the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Christian Formation, Master of Arts: Peace Studies and Master of Arts: Theological Studies degrees. In addition, AMBS collaborates with Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich., to offer dual degree programs that combine Andrews’ Master of Social Work with AMBS’s Master of Divinity and Master of Arts: Peace Studies degrees.

Mary E. Klassen / September 2009