Lancaster Theological Seminary

Phase: Formerly Accredited
Status: Voluntarily Surrendered
Accreditation Granted: June 23, 1978
Accreditation Ceased: June 30, 2022

Accreditation Actions

August 25, 2022
To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report. To accept the institution's request to voluntarily surrender its accreditation and terminate its membership effective June 30, 2022. To note that a teach-out plan and teach-out agreements are not necessary because the institution will retain its degree granting authority from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and primary accreditation through another accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education. To note The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) is the designated title IV gatekeeper for the institution.
August 25, 2022
To note that accreditation ceased June 30, 2022.
June 22, 2022
To acknowledge receipt of the institution's Intent to Voluntarily Surrender accreditation and terminate membership. To request a supplemental information report due June 20, 2022, providing: (1) state or federal requirements and approvals regarding the surrender of the institution's accreditation status. The institution must ascertain any state or federal requirements related to surrender or loss of accreditation and provide documentation that those requirements have been met (Requirement of Affiliation 5); (2) information regarding any implications of the surrender or loss of accreditation on title IV/student financial aid program participation including any correspondence or notification from the Federal Student Financial Aid Office of the United States Department of Education, specifically verification that The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) is the designated gatekeeper for USDE (Requirement of Affiliation 5); and (3) copies of communications to the institution's community (students and other constituents) related to the surrender or loss of accreditation as appropriate (Requirements of Affiliation 6 and 14, Public Disclosures Policy and Procedures).
December 2, 2021
To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report. To require the institution to continue with the complex substantive change process. To note the Commission does not offer retroactive approval for substantive changes. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024.
October 12, 2021
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to request a supplemental information report, due October 20, 2021, addressing recent developments at the institution which may have implications for current and future compliance with Requirement of Affiliation 14; Standard II: Ethics and Integrity; Standard IV: Support of the Student Experience; and Standard VII: Governance, Leadership, and Administration. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024.
March 4, 2021
To note that the Mid-Point Peer Review has been conducted and no further evidence is required at this time. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024.
April 16, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of formal written notice from the institution in response to the Commission's request of March 9, 2020. To temporarily waive Substantive Change Policy and Procedures and allow the use of distance education to accommodate students impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) interruptions, in accordance with United States Department of Education (USDE) guidelines published March 5, 2020. Continued use of distance education beyond the limitations of USDE guidelines will require substantive change approval in accordance with Substantive Change Policy and Procedures. This flexibility is not available for clock-hour courses that lead to licensure if the licensing body will not accept distance learning courses or hours or give credit for them toward the number of hours a student must complete. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024.
October 29, 2018
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the first alternative delivery method program (online Certificate in Anglican Studies) within the scope of the institution's accreditation. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024.
November 19, 2015
To accept the monitoring report. The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2019.
June 26, 2014
To reaffirm accreditation and to request a monitoring report, due October 1, 2015, documenting further development of (1) a financial planning and budgeting process aligned with the institution's mission, goals, and plan that provides for an annual budget and multi-year budget projections informed by planning and institutional assessment (Standard 3); and (2) a documented, organized and sustained process to evaluate and improve the total range of programs and services (Standard 7). The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2019.
November 17, 2011
To accept the monitoring report. To request that the self-study in preparation for the 2013-2014 evaluation visit include evidence of (1) a financial planning and budgeting process aligned with the institution's mission, goals, and plan that provides for an annual budget and multi-year budget projections, both institution-wide and among departments (Standard 3); and (2) a review of the enrollment management plan for recruitment, retention, graduation, marketing, and advertising (Standard 8).
March 3, 2011
To accept the monitoring report. To remind the institution of the monitoring report due by September 1, 2011 documenting (1) further steps taken to improve the institution's short- and long-term financial viability and the institution's sustainability, including updated cash and financial projections for the next five years (Standard 3); (2) audited financial statements and management letters for FY 2010-11 (Standard 3); and (3) actual and projected enrollment and retention data (Standard 8). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2013-2014.
November 19, 2009
To accept the Periodic Review Report and reaffirm accreditation. To request a monitoring report due by March 1, 2010 documenting (1) steps taken to further improve the institution's short- and long-term financial viability and the institution's sustainability, including implementation of a long term financial plan (Standard 3); (2) audited financial statements and management letters for FY 2008-09 and FY 2009-10 (Standard 3); and (3) steps taken to improve student enrollment and retention, including actual and projected enrollment data (Standard 8). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2013-2014.