Faculty
It's also important to take a close look at the faculty at a theological school. Though it takes some research, you can learn much about a school through the character of its faculty.
First, look at the distribution of the faculty among the theological disciplines. In part, the faculty make-up reflects the academic priorities of the school. For example, you may notice that a school has three faculty members in theology but only one in religious education. This might signal that the institution places more emphasis on the intellectual inquiry than on practical preparation. While this is not always an accurate assessment, it's a good place to start determining the academic commitments of the school
Next, look at the denominational or religious traditions of the faculty. A religiously homogeneous faculty may present a generally unified theology, while a more religiously diverse faculty will likely introduce a wider variety of theological commitments and assumptions. Again, you must decide which approach is more important and attractive to you.
If you have the luxury of a campus visit, consider meeting with a one or two faculty members. This is an excellent way to experience the way faculty relate to students. Is the experience collegial? Is it more transactional or business-like? While you should not make broad generalizations about an entire faculty based on one or two experiences, you can get a glimpse into how the faculty relate to students. And if the admissions office cannot find a faculty member to meet with you, consider what this may mean about the general accessibility of the faculty once you're a student.
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