ASSESSMENT & EFFECTIVENESS AT GAMMON
As the only Historically Black Theological Institution among the thirteen official theological schools of the United Methodist Church, Gammon holds a unique and vital responsibility to maintain high standards of institutional quality.
Gammon Theological Seminary has an unwavering commitment to rigorous, research-based planning and evaluation. This commitment is embedded throughout the institution’s operational and strategic framework and showcased most prominently in the nature and quality of the public leaders and clergy members that call themselves Gammonnites.
Faculty Teaching Core Courses
Gammon prioritizes excellence in theological education by ensuring that the majority of core courses are taught by full-time faculty. This strengthens continuity in the curriculum and enhances the student learning experience. Recent semesters show a strategic reduction in adjunct instruction, underscoring Gammon’s commitment to faculty investment.
Retention Rates
Student persistence at Gammon demonstrates the seminary’s dedication to academic and spiritual support. Retention rates have steadily improved, with 92% of M.Div. students continuing their studies in 2024. This reflects a strong culture of care, mentoring, and resilience within the Gammon community.
Placement Rates
Graduates of Gammon thrive in diverse ministry and leadership settings across congregational, community, and non-profit contexts. Over the years, placement trends affirm Gammon’s role in preparing students for both traditional church appointments and broader expressions of ministry. The seminary’s vocational outcomes highlight its impact on equipping leaders to serve faithfully in a changing world.
Growing with Gammon Every Step of theWay
Grounded in its mission, Gammon Theological Seminary prepares just and generative leaders who understand their vocation as working in partnership with God to form a just and generative world for all. This calling extends to those serving in both traditional congregational settings and ministries beyond the church.
Gammon’s institutional goals include ensuring that at least 45% of graduates are engaged in ministry within one year of graduation and that 45% are ordained or licensed within two years.
We are equally committed to accompanying students throughout their full journey—from discernment to alumni engagement. Our benchmarks of success include graduating 80% of students within three years and 100% within five years.
Every semester in the Master of Divinity program and each step in the discernment process matters in shaping the vocational and professional development of our students.
Explore our Persistence Data Report to learn more about how students Grow with Gammon throughout their journey.