Accreditation

Claremont School of Theology is accredited by The Commission on Accrediting of The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). Our current accreditation status with ATS is “Accredited on Probation” (Standard 10.3 on Financial Resources). 

Claremont School of Theology is also accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and is currently “Accredited on Show Cause” by WSCUC.

WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
1080 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 500
Alameda, CA 94501 (510) 748-9001
wscuc.org

Claremont is also listed by the University Senate of The United Methodist Church as an approved theological school for the education of United Methodist clergy. The procedures for accreditation review are available from our accrediting associations.

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WASC Senior College and University Commission Statement on the Status of Claremont School of Theology

On June 26, 2026, the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) voted to issue an Order to Show Cause on Claremont School of Theology (CST). 
 
A sanction of Show Cause reflects the Commission’s finding that the institution has serious issues of noncompliance with one or more of the Standards of Accreditation. The Commission has determined that CST is not in compliance with WSCUC Standard 1and 3. Under U.S. Department of Education Regulations, when the Commission finds that an institution fails to meet one or more of the Standards of Accreditation, it is required to notify the institution of these findings and give the institution a period of time to correct the deficiencies. Under the Commission’s policies the timeframe may not exceed one year. It is the responsibility of the Commission to determine, at the end of the sanction period, whether the institution has made the necessary corrections and has come into compliance with Commission Standards. 
 
The accredited status of CST continues during the Show Cause period and students’ status within the institution is not affected by this sanction.
 
The Commission’s decision to issue CST a sanction of Show Cause is subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Commission Action Letter dated July 9, 2026. This document is available on the WSCUC website. Anyone who has questions about CST’s accreditation status should contact Maggie Froelich, Accreditation Liaison Officer at CST.
 
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The following degree programs are approved:

  • Master of Divinity
  • Master of Arts in Religion
  • Master of Theological Studies
  • Master of Arts in Ministry, Leadership, and Service
  • Doctor of Ministry
  • Doctor of Ministry in Practical Theology of Healing Reconciliation and Transformation [Korean DMin]
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Practical Theology
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Religion
  • Doctor of Professional Counseling
  • Doctor of Spirituality

Comprehensive distance education program: Yes

WSCUC and ATS have approved all of our degree programs for full online delivery, giving you flexible access to a top-quality education wherever you are.

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Practical Theology (“In June 2025, the Board of Commissioners approved a five-year experiment to offer the school’s PhD (Practical Theology) degree program fully online.”)
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Religion (“In June 2025, the Board of Commissioners approved a five-year experiment to offer the school’s PhD (Religion) degree program fully online.”)

 

Educational Effectiveness Statement

 
Claremont School of Theology measures and supports the success of its students and ensures the ongoing educational effectiveness of its academic programs. Claremont promotes its educational effectiveness by establishing clear learning outcomes for each degree program, ensuring that course offerings support these learning outcomes, collecting evidence that students are exhibiting these intended outcomes, assessing each degree program on a regular basis, and continually improving our support for student learning.
 
Placement data for the last five years provides a useful measure of Claremont’s educational effectiveness. 70% of M.Div. graduates serve in formal ministry positions, with an additional 9% in the ordination process. The majority of remaining graduates are working in non-profits, educational organizations, or other professional settings.

34% of M.A. graduates go on to doctoral studies, 21%, are in some form of ministry or religious/community leadership, including chaplaincy, and 26% work in education, non-profit organizations, and other professional careers.

89% of our Ph.D. graduates serve in faculty teaching roles, ordained ministry, or in related professions.

 

Accrediting Agencies

WASC Senior College and University Commission
1080 Marina Village Parkway
Suite 500
Alameda, CA 94501
Ph: (510) 748-9001
Fax: (510) 748-9797
https://www.wscuc.org

The Commission on Accrediting of The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
10 Summit Park Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1110
Ph: (412) 788-6505
Fax: (412) 788-6510
http://www.ats.edu

 

WASC Reports

State Authorizations

According to current federal regulations, schools that offer distance education must be authorized by each state (if required) in which the school enrolls students. In 2013, many states joined the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) to help streamline these authorizations. California, however, is not a member of SARA. This means that all California-based institutions must seek authorization in each individual state in order to enroll that state’s residents in distance education.

Claremont School of Theology (CST) is actively seeking and maintaining approval or exemption status for our distance education offerings. While our intention is to provide distance education to students everywhere, some states have enacted prohibitive regulations that limit or prevent CST’s ability to enroll that state’s residents.

Below is a list of CST’s current eligibility to enroll distance learners from each state. Please contact admissions@cst.edu for more information regarding distance education enrollment in your state. Please note that even in authorized states, not all CST programs are necessarily available. 

These regulations apply specifically to distance education. Residents of non-authorized states may choose to pursue a CST program at our California campus or relocate to another authorized state. 

CST is currently authorized to enroll distance learners from the following states:

  • Arizona 
  • Arkansas (except DPC and SpD)
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana (except DPC)
  • Louisiana (except MDiv, MAMLS, PhD SCC)
  • Maine (except DPC)
  • Massachusetts
  • Missouri
  • Montana (except DPC)
  • Nebraska
  • New Mexico
  • Ohio (except MDiv, MAMLS, PhD SCC)
  • Oklahoma (except DPC)
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina (only MDiv, MTS, and DMin)
  • South Dakota
  • Texas (except DPC)
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Wisconsin 

CST is not currently authorized to enroll students in distance learning in states that are not listed above. Please contact the Admissions Office (admission@cst.edu) for any questions.

 
Relocating During Your Program

CST students who choose to relocate to another state during their program may risk losing eligibility. Please speak with the Dean’s Office (deansoffice@cst.edu) if you plan to relocate during your program.