Accreditation & State Authorization

  • The John Leland Center for Theological Studies is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (COAATS) and is approved to offer the following degrees: Master of Christian Leadership (MCL), Master of Divinity (MDiv), and Master of Theological Studies (MTS). Leland is also approved by COAATS for comprehensive distance (online) education. COAATS is the premiere accrediting body for theological schools in the United States and Canada.

    The following extension sites are approved by COAATS to provide up to 49 percent of the following degree programs but not complete degrees:

    • First Baptist Church of Newport News, VA (MDiv, MCL)

    • Bonsack Baptist Church, Roanoke, VA (MCL)

    Leland Seminary has been accredited by ATS since 2006. The school's accreditation was last reaffirmed in summer 2022, based on an institutional self-study report and an onsite evaluation visit by a committee of peer and public reviewers. The school's current period of accreditation expires July 31, 2032. 

    While Leland remains in compliance with COAATS standards,  ATS notified Leland that an extension to the warning that it is at risk of not having sufficient and stable financial resources to ensure that it will continue to meet Standard 10.3 on financial sustainability was issued for good cause until June 2027. This does not affect the quality or validity of Leland’s degrees or ability to offer accredited programs. The Seminary is committed to making the needed improvements and will continue efforts to increase contributions and enrollment. (Both, it should be noted, have experienced recent growth.) As Leland moves forward toward increased sustainability, students can continue their education with confidence as God continues to bless this mission. 

    The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
    10 Summit Park Drive
    Pittsburgh, PA 15275 USA
    Telephone: 412-788-6505
    Fax: 412-788-6510 
    Website: www.ats.edu

  • Leland Seminary Statement on Educational Effectiveness

    Reporting Cycle: Fall 2023 to Spring 2026

    Status: Public Access / Accreditation Transparency Hub

    The faculty and board of Leland Seminary measure our success by the academic mastery, spiritual formation, and vocational readiness of our graduates. This statement presents a transparent overview of how each of our degree programs meets institutional standards and ATS Commission Standards of Accreditation.

    Master of Divinity (MDiv)

    • Program Goal: A comprehensive program that prepares students for ordained ministry in the local church. It is designed to be completed in 5-6 years part-time or 3-4 years full-time.

    • Completion Rate: One student graduated with an MDiv in Spring 2024. The student entered the program in the Fall 2018. The time for completion, thus, was six years.

    • Program Satisfaction Survey: The following questions were based on a Likert scale (1. Very dissatisfied, 2. Dissatisfied, 3. Neutral, 4. Satisfied, 5. Very Satisfied). The student’s response is in bold text.

      • A. Overall, how would you rate the Leland MDiv program? 5

      • B. How would you rate the quality of the instructors/professors in the MDiv program? 5

      • C. How would you rate the content of the courses in the MDiv program? 5

      • D. How would you rate the modality/delivery of the courses (in-person, hybrid, online)? 5

      • The following questions are qualitative responses about perceived strengths and weaknesses of the MDiv program. The student’s response is in italicized text.

      • E. What do you think are the strengths of the Leland MDiv program? The strength is the flexibility of the program that allows students with full time job to study for theological training.

      • F. What do you think are the weaknesses of the MDiv program? The weakness is that the school did not actively engage or connect students with the local churches or missionary societies.

    • Vocational Placement: After attaining the MDiv degree, the student was able to engage in an unpaid pastoral work ministering to the homeless population in Washington, DC. The student is in an ordination track now for pastoral ministry in a local church.

    Master of Theological Studies

    • Program Goal: A rigorous program that studies theology and its disciplines. Often it prepares students for academia. It is designed to be completed in 4-5 years part-time or 2-3 years full-time.

    • Completion Rate: No student graduated with the MTS over the 2023-2026 period.

    • Program Satisfaction Survey: N/A

    • Vocational Placement: N/A

    Master of Christian Leadership

    • Program Goal: An intensive program that focuses on developing transformational leaders. It is designed to be completed in 3-4 years part-time or 2-3 years full-time.

    • Completion Rate: Three students graduated in Spring 2026. One student started the program in Fall 2018, one in Spring 2023, and the third student in Fall 2023. Two students finished the program within the 3-4 years part-time schedule. One student took time off from theological studies to pursue other non-profit work before coming back to finish the MCL.

    • Program Satisfaction Survey: The following questions were based on a Likert scale (1. Very dissatisfied, 2. Dissatisfied, 3. Neutral, 4. Satisfied, 5. Very Satisfied). The three students’ responses are averaged, in bold text.

      • A. Overall, how would you rate the Leland MCL program? 4.83

      • B. How would you rate the quality of the instructors/professors in the MCL program? 4.83

      • C. How would you rate the content of the courses in the MCL program? 4.5

      • D. How would you rate the modality/delivery of the courses (in-person, hybrid, online)? 4.33

        The following questions are qualitative responses about perceived strengths and weaknesses of the MCL program. The students’ responses are consolidated in italicized text.

      • E. What do you think are the strengths of the Leland MCL program? The leadership practicum, leadership courses, and the variety and diversity of courses.

      • F. What do you think are the weaknesses of the MCL program? The loss of some personal encouragement, connection, and some confusion from organizational communication.

    • Vocational Placement: Two of the students have entered directly into pastoral ordination tracks. One is already serving as a senior leader in a church. The other is in the process of coming into a paid, pastoral role. The third student did not seek an ordination track immediately but is currently looking into an ordination track for ministry.

  • State Council of Higher Education for Virginia Statement

    The John Leland Center for Theological Studies is a religious institution exempt from the requirements of state regulation and oversight in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

    Maryland Higher Education Commission Online Registration

    Leland is registered with the Maryland Higher Education Commission to enroll Maryland students in the following online programs: Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Christian Leadership, Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies, Graduate Certificate in Christian Leadership, Graduate Certificate in Biblical Justice Formation, Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Leadership, Graduate Certificate in Trauma and Healing Ministry, and Diploma in Theology.

    The University of North Carolina System Religious Exemption

    The following programs of study offered by The John Leland Center for Theological Studies have been declared exempt from the requirements for licensure, under provisions of North Carolina General Statutes Section (G.S.) 116-15(d) for exemption from licensure with respect to religious education: Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Christian Leadership, Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies, Graduate Certificate in Christian Leadership, Graduate Certificate in Biblical Justice Formation, Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Leadership, and Graduate Certificate in Trauma and Healing Ministry. Exemption from licensure is not based upon the assessment of program quality under established licensing standards.

    South Carolina Commission on Higher Education Religious Exemption

    The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education has declared that The John Leland Center for Theological Studies and the following programs are exempt from licensing by the Commission based on the religious nature of these programs: Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Christian Leadership, Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies, Graduate Certificate in Christian Leadership, Graduate Certificate in Biblical Justice Formation, Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Leadership, Graduate Certificate in Trauma and Healing Ministry, and Diploma in Theology.

  • The process for student complaints about The John Leland Center can be found on pages 8-21 of the Student Handbook.

    Maryland Students: Students residing in Maryland may submit complaints alleging violations of the Maryland Education Article or the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) Title 13B to the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC).

    217 East Redwood St., Suite 210 Baltimore, MD Phone: (410) 767-3300 Email Website: Student Complaint Process