Educational Effectiveness of the Liberty Theological Seminary
A total of 1,768 graduates from Liberty Theological Seminary’s master’s and doctoral programs (Class of 2023/24) were invited to participate in the 2024 annual alumni survey. Of these, 320 responded and provided placement data (18%). Exit Survey feedback collected prior to graduation, with 31 responses, is integrated with these findings. Among non-respondents, 300 were enrolled as current students at Liberty University in Fall 2024 and are noted under “Further Study.” For individuals appearing in multiple sources, only one status was retained, resulting in 647 known outcomes.
Master of Divinity
There were 169 known outcomes for the Master of Divinity graduates. Of these, 51 (30%) reported vocational placement, 18 reported non-vocational placement, five reported a status of other, and five reported currently seeking placement. There were 90 (53%) with a status of further study (either self-reported in the surveys or re-enrolled).
Other Professional Master’s Degrees
There were 63 known outcomes for the MA in Christian Ministry graduates. Of these, 23 (37%) reported vocational placement, 8 reported non-vocational placement, none reported a status of other, and none reported currently seeking placement. There were 32 (51%) with a status of further study (either self-reported in the surveys or re-enrolled).
There were 17 known outcomes for the MA in Religion (MAR) graduates. Of these, 6 (35%) reported vocational placement, 4 reported non-vocational placement, 1 reported a status of other, and none reported currently seeking placement. There were 6 (35%) with a status of further study (either self-reported in the surveys or re-enrolled).
There were 9 known outcomes for the Master of Religious Education (MRE) graduates. Of these, 2 (22%) reported vocational placement, 1 reported non-vocational placement, 1 reported a status of other, and none reported currently seeking placement. There were 5 (56%) with a status of further study (either self-reported in the surveys or re-enrolled).
There were 6 known outcomes for the MA in Global Studies graduates. Of these, 2 (33%) reported vocational placement, 1 reported non-vocational placement, none reported a status of other, and none reported currently seeking placement. There were 3 (50%) with a status of further study (either self-reported in the surveys or re-enrolled).
There were 6 known outcomes for the MA in Applied Ministry graduates. Of these, none reported vocational placement, 1 (17%) reported non-vocational placement, none reported a status of other, and none reported currently seeking placement. There were 5 (83%) with a status of further study (either self-reported in the surveys or re-enrolled).
There was 1 known outcome for the MA in Sports Chaplaincy graduates. This respondent reported seeking placement.
There were 44 known outcomes for the MA in Pastoral Counseling graduates. Of these, 15 (34%) reported vocational placement, 4 reported non-vocational placement, 1 reported a status of other, and 2 reported currently seeking placement. There were 22 (50%) with a status of further study (either self-reported in the surveys or re-enrolled).
There were 7 known outcomes for the MA in Educational Ministries graduates. Of these, 3 (43%) reported vocational placement, 1 reported non-vocational placement, none reported a status of other, and none reported currently seeking placement. There were 3 (43%) with a status of further study (either self-reported in the surveys or re-enrolled).
Doctoral and Post-graduate Programs
There were 136 known outcomes for the Doctor of Ministry graduates. Of these, 64 (47%) reported vocational placement, 13 reported non-vocational placement, 5 reported a status of other, and 5 reported currently seeking placement. There were 49 (36%) with a status of further study (either self-reported in the surveys or re-enrolled).
There were 22 known outcomes for the Doctor of Education graduates. Of these, 9 (41%) reported vocational placement, 5 reported non-vocational placement, none reported a status of other, and 1 reported currently seeking placement. There were 7 (32%) with a status of further study (either self-reported in the surveys or re-enrolled).
There were 3 known outcomes for the PhD (Theology and Apologetics) graduates. Of these, 2 (67%) reported vocational placement, none reported non-vocational placement, none reported a status of other, and 1 reported currently seeking placement. There were none with a status of further study (either self-reported in the surveys or re-enrolled).
There were 7 known outcomes for the Master of Theology graduates. Of these, 2 (29%) reported vocational placement, 1 reported non-vocational placement, none reported a status of other, and none reported currently seeking placement. There were 4 (57%) with a status of further study (either self-reported in the surveys or re-enrolled).
Research-oriented Master’s Degrees
There were 85 known outcomes for the MA in Theological Studies graduates. Of these, 19 (22%) reported vocational placement, 18 reported non-vocational placement, 4 reported a status of other, and none reported currently seeking placement. There were 44 (52%) with a status of further study (either self-reported in the surveys or re-enrolled).
There were 31 known outcomes for the MA in Christian Apologetics graduates. Of these, 4 (13%) reported vocational placement, 9 reported non-vocational placement, none reported a status of other, and none reported currently seeking placement. There were 18 (58%) with a status of further study (either self-reported in the surveys or re-enrolled).
There were 27 known outcomes for the MA in Biblical Exposition graduates. Of these, 3 (11%) reported vocational placement, 4 reported non-vocational placement, 3 reported a status of other, and none reported currently seeking placement. There were 17 (63%) with a status of further study (either self-reported in the surveys or re-enrolled).
There were 10 known outcomes for the MA in Biblical Languages graduates. Of these, 1 (10%) reported vocational placement, 2 reported non-vocational placement, none reported a status of other, and none reported currently seeking placement. There were 7 (70%) with a status of further study (either self-reported in the surveys or re-enrolled).
There were 4 known outcomes for the MA in Biblical Studies graduates. Of these, 2 (50%) reported vocational placement, 1 reported non-vocational placement, none reported a status of other, and none reported currently seeking placement. There was 1 (25%) with a status of further study (either self-reported in the surveys or re-enrolled).
Program and Internship Testimonials
“I did two internships through Liberty in the last three years. I did PACO 699 with the largest church in our district and found that I would not have enough clients to sustain my family as a Pastoral Counselor. So I started the MDIV program. I did my internship (CHMN699) with a smaller church that had an interim pastor whom I shadowed. A few months after the end of my internship class, that church voted to make me their pastor, and I started as pastor, and I no longer shadowed the interim, effective last year (Dec 15, 2024). So, my internship led me to full-time work as the church pastor.”
– Student of the Master of Divinity program
“I had a great experience through the CHMN699 Internship. This time allowed me to establish a prominent role in the local assembly as a Bible teacher and ministry leader. I was able to sharpen my teaching style and hone my pastoral leadership skills throughout this time. The internship also made it easy for my senior pastor to present this ministry opportunity to the elders and congregation for [the] legitimacy of my education through Liberty Theological Seminary. To God be the glory!”
– Student of the Master of Theology program