In 2023, the degree programs at Friedensau Adventist University underwent the quality control process required at regular intervals to maintain state accreditation. This process was overseen by the accreditation agency EVALAG, which evaluated the degree programs of both faculties with two interdisciplinary expert commissions. The content of the courses, the available resources, and the practical implementation of the study program were reviewed. Part of such an evaluation process is also an on-site visit by the expert group, lasting several days, during which discussions are held with teaching staff, students, and university management.
All existing degree programs at Friedensau Adventist University were reaccredited without any conditions. The two newer degree programs, M.A. Development Studies online (Social Sciences) and M.A. Pastoral Ministries (Theology), were successfully accredited for the first time. The concept for the English-language bachelor's degree course in International Social Work, which is currently being developed and will not be available until fall 2024, was also successfully accredited.
On February 28, 2024, the Accreditation Council Foundation submitted the accreditation certificates, which are valid for eight years. The Rector, Prof. Dr. Roland E. Fischer, congratulated colleagues from both faculties on the successful completion of the accreditation procedure. The positive result confirms the continuous work that the staff invest in updating and further developing the courses on offer.
More about Friedensau University
Friedensau has been a place of education since 1899. During World War I, the War Ministry set up a military hospital in the buildings. It was not until 1919 that training could be resumed and expanded in subsequent years with new courses (home economics school, preparatory school for nursing, secondary-level courses in science and technology, business, and childcare courses).
In 1923, the name of the institution was changed to the “Friedensau Mission Seminary”. In 1930, the seminary received state accreditation from the administrative district officer of Magdeburg for its home economics and business courses.
The Nazi period brought many restrictions, culminating in the closing of the seminary in the Second World War. Again, the teaching buildings were used for the care of sick and injured soldiers, first by the Wehrmacht and then, from 1945, by the Soviet army.
Through the intercession of the Minister President of Saxony-Anhalt, Erhard Hübener, the Soviet military administration allowed the school to reopen in 1947. This made the Friedensau Seminary the first and only church training facility to be allowed to resume its teaching operations in the Soviet occupation zone.
In 1981, the high standards and quality of the training led to the new name, “Friedensau Theological Seminary”. Two years later, the General Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church accredited the seminary as a senior college. Starting in the 1980s, students from other socialist states of Eastern Europe and Africa could be trained as pastors at Friedensau.
On September 15, 1990, the Theological Seminary became a state-accredited university following a decision by the Council of Ministers of the GDR. Later, a School of Social Sciences was established alongside the School of Theology, which has offered diploma and master's courses in theology since 1992.
Today, the Friedensau Adventist University, as an academically oriented, church-run university, awards university qualifications. Friedensau is an established place of scholarship and has research collaborations linking it with institutions on several continents.
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