Accreditation

Association of Theological Schools (ATS)
The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada was established in 1936 as the official accrediting body of professional, graduate theological institutions. The Association requires oversight of member institutions through periodic assessments, measurements of educational effectiveness, and annual reports; it also provides resources through publications, training events, and general meetings. McMaster Divinity College has been a full member of ATS since 1954, and was granted the maximum 10-year accreditation standing at the last review in 2019. All of the degree programs offered by McMaster Divinity College are accredited by ATS, and the following degree programs are approved:

  • Master of Divinity (MDiv)
  • Master of Theological Studies (MTS) (discontinued)
  • Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry (MA)
  • Master of Arts in Counselling and Spiritual Care (MA)
  • Master of Arts in Global Christianity (MA)
  • Master of Arts in Christian Studies (MA)
  • Doctor of Practical Theology (DPT)
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Theology (PhD)

The Commission contact information is:
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

Affiliations

McMaster University
In 1957, McMaster Divinity College became a separately chartered institution from McMaster University. As we are located directly on McMaster University’s campus and share services with the institution, we are considered an affiliate of McMaster University.

Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec (CBOQ)
One of the principle reasons for the organization of the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec in 1889 was to provide support for Christian higher education and, specifically, McMaster University. McMaster Divinity College continues the relationship as the official ministerial training school of the CBOQ. The membership of the CBOQ elect members of the Board of Trustees and provide funds for the College budget. The College provides personnel for various divisions of CBOQ programs. Through the CBOQ, the College also enjoys full recognition in the Canadian Baptist Ministries.

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC)
McMaster Divinity College is an affiliate organization of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. Founded in 1964, the EFC brings together over 30 denominations, 150 ministry agencies and educational institutions, 1,000 local congregations and more than 15,000 supporting individuals in order to represent and unite together the roughly 2.5 million evangelical Christians in Canada.

Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU)
McMaster Divinity College is an affiliate member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU), an international higher education association of intentionally Christian colleges and universities. Founded in 1976 with 38 members, the Council has grown to 116 members in North America and 54 affiliate institutions in 18 countries. Their mission is to advance the cause of Christ-centred higher education and to help our institution transform lives by faithfully relating scholarship and service to biblical truth.

Christian Higher Education Canada (CHEC)
McMaster Divinity College is a member of the Council for Christian Higher Education Canada, a national higher education organization of Christian colleges and universities across Canada. Since their inception in 2008, the organization has maintained its mission to advance the efficiency and effectiveness of Christian higher education at member schools, including fostering institutional cooperation, and to raise public awareness of the value of Christian higher education in Canada.

Canadian Bible Society
McMaster Divinity College was the first institutional member of the Canadian Bible Society, having joined the society in promotion of work to promulgate the gospel in 2000.