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Accreditation

The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). More information about accreditation here.

Consumer and Safety Information

LSTC posts policies and procedures related to consumer and safety information in compliance with federal regulations. These policies and procedures are described:

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Grants

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed on March 27th, 2020 to assist those who are experiencing economic hardship as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately $14 billion of the CARES Act funding was provided to the Office of Postsecondary Education as the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).

During 2020, LSTC completed applications to participate in the three programs made eligible to our institution.

HEERF Student Aid Portion – Final Report
CARES Act Section 18004(a)(1)

1. The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago has signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

2. The total amount of the funds that the institution has received from the Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students (this includes the student portion only): $11,203

3. The total amount of the Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of December 31, 2020: $11,203

4. The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act: 94

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act: Less than 10

6. Student Eligibility and Award Determination: Only students who are eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) may receive emergency financial aid grants. A student that has filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has demonstrated eligibility to participate in programs under Section 484 of the HEA. Students must be actively attending or on an approved leave of absence which started after March 13, 2020 and is due/related to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. The school established the following six potential areas of need.
a) Food expenses
b) Housing Expenses
c) Expenses related to course materials to attend school
d) Paying for technologies associated with attending online classes
e) Responsible for healthcare costs
f) Responsible for child care expenses

Emergency financial aid grants were distributed based on assessed need determined on a student by student basis.

7. Instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Students were informed and acknowledged that this is a grant program which does not require repayment and that such funds were solely for costs incurred for the expense categories discussed above related to the campus disruption resulting from coronavirus COVID-19.

HEERF Institutional Aid Portion – Final Report
CARES Act Section 18004(a)(1)

Total allocated to LSTC: $11,202
Total disbursed to LSTC: $11,202
Total expended as of 12/31/20: $11,202

Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) – Final Report
CARES Act Section 18004(a)(3)

Additional funding was made available to public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education that are eligible under Part B of Title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and received less than $500,000 total from HEERF (a)(1) and (a)(2) programs.

Total allocated to LSTC: $477,595
Total disbursed to LSTC: $477,595
Total expended as of 12/31/20: $477,595

All institutions participating in the HEERF Institutional and FIPSE programs are required to post Quarterly Budget and Expenditure reporting on a quarterly basis. All reports can be found via the links below:

LSTC HEERF – Quarterly Reporting 9.30.20
LSTC HEERF – Quarterly Reporting 12.31.20

Student Complaints

LSTC is committed to providing a positive educational experience for our students. Enrolled and prospective students can file a complaint related to the accrediting standards, ecclesiastical commitments and/or applicable state or federal laws and regulations with the Dean of Student Services:

Dean of Student Services
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
1100 East 55th St.
Chicago, IL 60615
773.256.0685
schalmers@lstc.edu

LSTC also operates in compliance with the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Register an institutional complaint with the Illinois Board of Higher Education here:
http://complaints.ibhe.org

Once the complaint is filed, the Dean of Student Services will follow the grievance policy as outlined in the All Students Handbook. The complaint will be shared with the Director of Human Resources for submission to the appropriate agency (ATS, HLC, ELCA, state of IL or the federal government). Both the Dean of Student Services and the Director of Human Resources will maintain a record of the formal complaints. The Director of Human Resources will maintain the outcomes of any review completed by an outside agency.

Student Diversity

To obtain a copy of the report on student diversity contact Scott Chalmers at schalmers@lstc.edu.

Graduation Rates

For students who enrolled and graduated from the same degree program (transfers between degree programs not counted). Time intervals defined by the Association of Theological Schools.

Master of Divinity
Graduation rate within six years of enrollment: 67% (2020), 73% (2019), 80% (2018), and 100% (2017)

Master of Arts in Ministry
Graduation rate within four years of enrollment: 100% (2020), 50% (2019), 50% (2018) and 43% (2017)*
*Includes affiliate or Lutheran Year students, some who choose not to receive a degree

Master of Arts (Theological Studies)
Graduation rate within four years of enrollment: 100% (2020), 33% (2019), 50% (2018) and 40% (2017)

Doctor of Ministry
Graduation rate within six years of enrollment: 0% (2020), Not reported (2019), 70% (2018) and 80% (2017)

Master of Theology
Graduation rate within two years of enrollment: N/A (2020), 75% (2019), 100% (2018) and 72% (2017)*
*Does not include students who completed ThM requirements in the process of obtaining a PhD

Doctor of Philosophy
Graduation rate within eight years of enrollment: 67% (2020), 50% (2019), 67% (2018) and 45% (2017)

Vocational Placement Rates

For graduates serving in positions for which the degree program prepared them. Includes graduates placed prior to graduation or within 12-18 months of graduation.

Master of Divinity: 95% (2020), 87% (2019), 100% (2017) and 100% (2016)

Master of Arts in Ministry: 75% (2020), 33% (2019), 50% (2017) and 50% (2016)

Master of Arts (Theological Studies): 67% (2020), 38% (2019), 33% (2017) and 50% (2016) 

Doctor of Ministry:  placed prior to enrollment

Master of Theology: N/A (2020), N/A (2019), N/A (2017) and 6% (2016); 100% pursued higher study in 2017, 2019, and 2020 and 88% pursued higher study in 2016.

Doctor of Philosophy: 100% (2020), 44% (2019), 83% (2017) and 67% (2016)

Retention Rates

2019: 94%

2018: 90%

2017: 97%

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