Our Accrediting Agency: ECTE
European Council for Theological Education
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Ready to educate for Christ? Contact our Admissions Office at info@ets-kniebis.de or apply online.
The European Theological Seminary (ETS) holds accreditation from the European Council for Theological Education (ECTE). ECTE is a cross-border, professional, discipline-specific, independent accreditation agency that operates according to the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) and in line with the ICETE Standards and Guidelines for Global Evangelical Theological Education. ECTE is a registered agency on the European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR).
As a cross-border QA agency, ECTE serves both higher education institutions and alternative providers of higher education learning opportunities, but ECTE does not determine the status of institutions in their respective countries nor their ability to award formal, nationally recognized degrees. Read more about ECTE accreditation here.
Our accreditation details
The European Theological Seminary (ETS) is accredited by ECTE as an alternative provider of higher education, most recently reaccredited in 2026, and is listed in the ECTE Review Directory. We hold institutional and program accreditation for the following programs/qualifications:
- Advanced Certificate in Christian Ministries – 180 ECTS (EQF Level 6, comparable to QF-EHEA First Cycle)
We hold accreditation as a micro-credential provider at the following levels and are listed in the ECTE MCP Review Directory:
- EQF Level 6
Our accreditation status
ECTE accreditation of alternative providers of higher education indicates that our learning opportunities have been externally reviewed and found to be substantially compliant with the European Standards and Guidelines as higher education learning opportunities in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
Our accreditation outcomes and review reports are published on the Database of the European Quality Assurance Register (DEQAR).
While our programs are verified as comparable to QF-EHEA levels, we are an alternative provider and do not award formal degrees recognized by German authorities. EQF level references verify learning outcomes for global recognition, while not constituting formal degrees.
Our ECTE accreditation ensures graduates hold international benchmarked qualifications, opening doors to global mobility and recognition by employers and theological institutions across the European Higher Education Area and beyond (read more on learning mobility and recognition here).
Other accreditation partnerships
The European Theological Seminary (ETS) offers master’s degree programs at EQF Level 7, accredited by Evalag in Germany and listed in the Evalag accreditation directory.
Our master’s degree programs are offered in cooperation with Lee University (Cleveland, TN, USA). Lee University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist, and doctoral degrees, and is listed in the SACSCOC directory.
Questions about the accreditation of Lee University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling +1 (404) 679-4500, or through the SACSCOC website.