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Accreditation standards

The EEAA programme accreditation standards are published in the EEAA Manual (see Download Area).  What follows is a brief synopsis.

1.  Evangelical value-centred

  • The theological school integrates and implements its core values and statement of faith into all the activities of the school.
  • Examples of evidence
    • The EEAA Core Values (see 2.3) are easily recognizable in the school’s programme and general operations.
    • The college’s statement of faith is integrated and implemented into all the activities of the school.
    • A separate appendix of the EEAA Manual is dedicated to describing nuanced standards that apply specifically to educational structures and delivery methods  that differ from full-time, residential study.

2. Strategic Plan

  • The theological school has an overall strategic plan that is approved by the appropriate governing body and that relates to the institution’s operation as a whole
  • Examples of evidence
    • A written mission statement.
    • Short and long-term development plans.
    • Clearly formulated programme learning outcomes.
    • A programme profile.
    • Vocational and the academic oriented degrees are appropriately distinguished.

3. Programme development

  • The theological school has a programme that reflects a set of well defined learning outcomes in its curriculum and learning activities.
  • Examples of evidence
    • An appropriate definition and formulation of learning outcomes.
    • Correct usage of learning outcomes in curriculum building.
    • Appropriately written course syllabi.
    • A variety of learning activities operating within a balanced curriculum to achieve learning outcomes.

4. Credit counting and duration

  • The theological school understands and uses the European Credit Transfer System and awards degrees that correspond to the required credit and duration scheme for each level of study.
  • Examples of evidence
    • A correct understanding and use of the ECTS.
    • Correct calculations of ECTS credits for each cycle of study.
    • Correct duration for each level of study.
    • ECTS credits awarded for all learning activities.

5. Teaching, Learning and Assessment

  • The theological school provides teaching and learning to a high level of quality and consistent, transparent, on-going and appropriate evaluation of all student learning activities.
  • Examples of evidence
    • Teaching and learning, classroom organisation and pedagogical practices in the school occur in harmony with principles of effective adult teaching and is at an appropriate level and academic depth for the programme.
    • Teaching and learning are fitting to the discipline of theology, and aim at integration between academic instruction, ministerial training, spiritual formation, character education and theological reflection.
    • The school has a written assessment policy statement including right-of-appeal procedures. Proper assessment is carried out according to determined requirements that are understood by the students and are in harmony with the school’s learning outcomes.
    • Different types of assessment are used in order to fit different learning activities and differing levels.
    • Final assessment procedures are practiced (optional).
    • Student Progress Files where assessments of learning outcomes are kept on record, communicated to the student and prepared for the final transcript.

6. Standards for graduation

  • The theological school has clear and consistent graduation requirements and provides graduates with the necessary documentation.
  • Examples of evidence
    • Clear and binding graduation requirements.
    • On graduation the student receives a Transcript, an academic award, a Diploma Supplement and an EEAA Certificate.

7. Community

  • The theological school fosters and models the life of a healthy Christian community.
  • Examples of evidence
    • Provision made for social, spiritual and physical extra-curricular activities.
    • Operational student organizations.
    • Appropriate code of ethics and disciplinary procedures.
    • Student accountability to local churches.

8. Mentoring, ministry and cultural awareness

  • The theological school includes mentoring programmes, ministry experience and cultural awareness activities in its curricula.
  • Examples of evidence
    •       An organized and efficient mentoring programme.
    •       A well organized and supervised ministry experience programme.
    •       Provision for national and international cultural awareness and development.
    •       Written evaluation of mentoring programmes and ministry experience.
    •       Awarding of ECTS credits for mentoring programmes and ministry experience.

9. Governance and organization

  • The theological school has a board of control and a clear organizational structure.
  • Examples of evidence
    •       Appropriate legal status.
    •       Functioning governance.
    •       An appropriate management and organization.
    •       Adequate record-keeping procedures.
    •       Adequate administration and secretarial provisions.
    •       Internal quality assurance procedures in place and procedures for ongoing evaluation of faculty and of learning activities.

10.  Faculty qualifications

  • The faculty members of the theological school possess suitable qualifications and carry realistic work load.
  • Examples of evidence
    • A faculty with academic and professional qualifications adequate for the level of study.
    • A faculty with fitting spiritual and character qualities.
    • Primarily national faculty.
    • A sufficient number of faculty.
    • A list of realistic responsibilities for faculty.
    • Plans for faculty instructional development, enrichment of qualifications and provision for on-going faculty research.

11.  Student access

  • The theological school implements suitable student access standards.
  • Examples of evidence
    • Access standards regulated according to each level of study and an evaluation procedure for the prospective students’ academic and personal ability to sustain a programme of study.
    • Sensible consideration of special access cases.
    • An evaluation procedure for the prospective students’ commitment to Christian truth, values and ethics.

12.  Facilities

  • The theological school has facilities that are adequate for meeting its educational objectives
  • Examples of evidence
    • A suitable campus.
    • Standard housing and services for students.
    • Adequate library facilities and sufficient and qualified staff for library maintenance and development.
    • Appropriate library record-keeping procedures.
    • A library development plan that includes the area of Information Technology.
    • Suitable library holdings both in quantity and quality.

13. Finances and stability

  • The financial policies, procedures, records and conditions of the theological school are demonstrably sound. The school shows a satisfactory degree of general stability.
  • Examples of evidence
    •       Sound financial status.
    •       A developmental fund.
    •       Adequate and clearly communicated student fees.
    •       Adequate compensation and benefits for staff and faculty.
    •       Overall stability in leadership, staff, enrolment and programme.

14. Public Relations

  • The theological school has healthy public relations and clear and truthful public information packages.
  • Examples of evidence
    • An Information Package/Course Catalogue.
    • Truthful publicity and appropriate usage of academic nomenclatures
    • Good relationships with national and local community.
    • Good relationships with the wider Christian community.
    • Contact with potential employers of graduates.
    • Publicity tools for potential students
    • An alumni programme.

Most of the standards described above apply to all programmes being accredited regardless of their level. The EEAA Manual however summarizes the main differences in levels.  A separate appendix of the EEAA Manual manual is dedicated to educational structures and delivery methods different than full-time, residential study.


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