Divinity school given associate status

Divinity school given associate status

BUIES CREEK, N.C. — Campbell University’s four-year-old divinity school has been voted an associate member of the Association of Theological Schools.

Michael Cogdill, dean of the Baptist-affiliated divinity school in Buies Creek, N.C., called acceptance by the national accrediting body “a major milestone.” Cogdill said he expects the school to be fully accredited by 2002.

The Pittsburgh, Pa.-based Association of Theological Schools is the accrediting and program agency for graduate theological education in North America. Its 237 member institutions represent the broad spectrum of denominational, ecclesiastical and theological perspectives evident in North America today. The Association comprises Protestant, Roman Catholic and Orthodox schools of theology, both university-related divinity schools and freestanding seminaries.

Campbell University Divinity School opened in 1996, with 25 students, one year earlier than planned due to overwhelming demand. The school’s charter class graduated in May. Today there are more than 150 students enrolled.