Guidelines for Self-Study
Table of Contents

Institutions seeking accreditation through the Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries must, as part of the Candidacy phase, complete an institutional self-study, using the guidelines that follow in this section.

The study shall be typed and double-spaced and must be submitted within one year after the institution has been notified that it has been received into Candidacy status in sufficient copies for all participating members of the Association.

The self-study is a comprehensive report on the history, mission, distinctives, and operations of the institution. Narratives in each section should both describe the institution as it currently exists, in the light of the standards provided in this Handbook, together with any comments or observations regarding needed improvements. Complete guidelines and recommended deadlines for completing the self-study are sent once the application for Candidacy has been approved. The self-study overall should give an accurate picture of the institution as it exists at the time. It should be written according to the following outline:

Introduction
Information recorded in this section may well be redundant with information provided in the exhibits required for the self-study. It is important, however, that it all be recorded here as well.
A. Institutional history
How and when did the institution come into being? What have been some of the high points of its growth and ministry? Who have been its “leading lights”?
B. Mission and vision
What are the mission and vision of the institution? How are these presented to the public? How are they worked down into the operations and ministry of the institution?
C. Theological distinctives
To which of the approved standards of the reformed tradition does the institution adhere? How is adherence enforced? How is it represented in the institutional mission and program?
D. Educational distinctives
What distinctives mark the philosophy of teaching and learning that this institution embraces? Does the institution provide opportunities for mentoring, internships, mission trips or other cross-cultural experiences? (An opportunity is provided later in this outline to elaborate on these programs.)
E. Affiliations (denominational, professional, etc.)
What kinds of affiliations does the institution maintain? For what purposes? How are these useful to the institution?
F. Principle constituencies served
1. Denominations
2. Churches
3. Other agencies or populations
G. Reasons for seeking accreditation
How does the institution hope to benefit from accreditation with the Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries? What does it hope to learn from the process? How does it hope to contribute to the mission of the Association (since accredited institutions have representation on the Association)?
H. Progress in mission to date
What are the long-range and short-range goals of the institution? How were those determined? To what indicators does the institution look in order to determine progress toward those goals? How does the institution stand in relation to those goals at this time?

I. Personnel
This section should include names and job descriptions, an organizational chart, and a description (narrative) of how these various groups and individuals work together.
A. Board of Directors
Who are the board members? How are they appointed? How do they serve?
B. Staff
Who are the staff? What are their duties? Is there an organizational chart? Do job descriptions exist?
C. Faculty
What kinds of faculty are there (full-time, associate, tutors, mentors, etc.)? How are they chosen? What are the requirements? Who are the faculty at this time? In what ways does the faculty participate in the program of the seminary? How are they compensated? Evaluated? Is there a program of faculty orientation and/or development? Are there faculty meetings?

II. Programs
For this section it will be necessary to draw together materials from various of the exhibits required in the self-study. It is important that all be recorded here as well.
A. Program descriptions
What academic programs are offered? What is the purpose of each? How do they serve the institutional mission and vision?
B. Program requirements
What are the requirements for each program?
C. Current program enrollments
How many full and part-time students are there? What are the current enrollment figures for each program? Overall?

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