To:   Bureau Directors
Regional Directors
Heads of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities
Heads of Seminaries, Bible Colleges and Theological Schools

1.   The inclosed set of policies and standards approved by this Office upon the recommendation of the Bureau of Higher Education and Technical Committee on Theological Education embodies the general priciples and guidelines for the establishment and operation of graduate theological programs. The standards have been developed after a series of national consultation meetings joined by the members of the technical committee, school heads, and deans of theological schools.

2.   Each school of theological education, in order to align its program to the goals and mission of the institution and the nation and to make graduate theological education responsive to the demands of societal transition and the search for a national identity, should have:

3.   As approved by this Office and as part of the approved Policies and Standards for Graduate Theological Programs are the following components:   (a.)   equivalencies for catholic theological schools (Appendix A) and (b)   equivalencies for protestant theological schools (Appendix B).

4.   All concerned are required to prepare and make the necessary adjustment for their theological programs and facilities based on the inclosed guidelines and standards.

5.   Wide dissemination of the contents of this Order is desired of all theological institutions offering graduate programs.

6.   This Order supersedes MECS Order No. 7. s. 1982 and shall take effect beginning school year 1992-1993.

7.   Compliance with this Order by all concerned is enjoined.

Reference:   MECS Order: (No. 7,s. 1982)

Allotment:   1-3-4–(M.O. 1-87)

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index
under the following subjects:

COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT
Course of Study, COLLEGIATE
CURRICULUM
POLICY
RULES & REGULATIONS