Institutional Information

Below you will find a variety of information that we are required to disclose as an institution of higher learning. You may find some of it useful as you learn more about Kairos University and the outcomes our students have achieved.

Statement of Educational Effectiveness

Kairos University’s role in the field of theological education is about more than preparing students for roles in the workplace.  The mission of Kairos University is, instead, to steward followers of Jesus who flourish in their vocations for the sake of the world.  More specifically, Kairos University strives to meet students where they are and journey alongside them.

The holistic development of students for service in the mission of God is a priority for Kairos University.  Dedication to offering quality theological education is coupled with a focus on spiritual formation and an emphasis on learning across a lifetime of vocational service.

Kairos University’s administration, faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees take responsibility for overseeing quality assurance, academic integrity, and relevance of vocational training.  Degree programs are measured by the extent to which students achieve and demonstrate learning outcomes.  Learning outcomes, specific to each program, identify and measure academic and ministerial competencies.

Educational effectiveness is measured by the ability of students to succeed in vocational settings that are specific to their unique callings.  This statement of educational effectiveness accounts for the mission of Kairos University in addition to the needs and desires of students.

Currently, Kairos University has approximately 1100 living alumni who are serving God and his mission in a variety of different contexts including the local church, counseling centers, hospitals, social service organizations, hospices, colleges and universities, schools, denominations, church networks, mission organizations, and more.

The vibrancy of Kairos University depends upon its ability to offer quality theological education that’s affordable, accessible, and relevant to those God has called to serve in his kingdom.  The need to regularly monitor, evaluate, and enhance program offerings at Kairos University is taken seriously in order to ensure standards of excellence in academics and ministry service.

Questions and inquiries about the mission of Kairos University and its academic assessment and educational effectiveness efforts can be addressed by calling (605) 336-6588.

FERPA Notification

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, As Amended
Annual Notice to Students

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights are:

The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the seminary receives a request for access.  Students should submit to the Office of Enrollment Management written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect.  Arrangements for the access will be made.  If the Office of Enrollment Management does not maintain the records, the student will be advised of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the seminary to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the seminary official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.  If the seminary decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the seminary will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.

The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.  One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests.  A school official is defined as a person employed by the seminary in an administrative, supervisory, academic, or support staff position; a person or company with whom the seminary has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a person assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.   A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.  Upon request, the seminary discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the seminary to comply with the requirements of FERPA.  The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605

Public Notice Designating Directory Information
We designate the following student information as public or “Directory Information.”  Student’s name, address, telephone listing, and electronic mail address; major field of study; dates of attendance; enrollment status; degrees, honors, and awards received; and most recent educational institution attended.  Such information may be disclosed by the institution for any purpose at its discretion.

Currently enrolled students may withhold disclosure of any category of information under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended.  To withhold disclosure, written notification must be received in the Office of Enrollment Management by September 30 of each academic year.  Forms requesting the withholding of “directory information” are available through the Office of Enrollment Management.

Questions and Additional Information
Questions regarding the use of directory information, FERPA, or any related issues, please contact the Office of Enrollment Management at 800.440.6227 or registrar@kairos.edu.  Additional information can also be found online through the Family Policy Compliance Office.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

Kairos University does not discriminate on the basis of gender, disability, race, color, or national or ethnic origin in its admissions policies, educational programs, activities, administration of educational policies, scholarship or loan programs, employment, recognition of rights, or granting of privileges generally accorded or made available to students at the university.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Brandi Pohlmeier
Kairos Advisor
2100 S. Summit Avenue
(605) 336-6588 or (800) 440-6227
bpohlmeier@kairos.edu

Download: Disability and the Law

Title IX Policy

Sexual Harassment
Kairos University, in order to maintain a positive, discrimination-free educational and work environment, declares that sexual harassment in the workplace or the educational environment is unacceptable and therefore prohibited. To assure such an environment, the university shall provide education regarding sexual harassment to all members of the campus community.

Definition
Sexual harassment means conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:

1. A school employee conditioning education benefits on participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (i.e., quid pro quo); or

2. Unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would determine is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the school’s education program or activity; or

3. Sexual assault (as defined in the Clery Act), dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking as defined in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

The university bears legal responsibility for responding to complaints when sexual harassment occurs in the university’s education program or activity, against a person in the United States.

Grievance Procedure

1. Filing a Complaint

Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), at any time, to any faculty member or administrator or directly to the Title IX Coordinator (identified below). Recipients of such a report who are not the Title IX Coordinator are responsible for relaying that report to the Title IX Coordinator in a timely manner. Reports can be submitted in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator, or by any other means that result in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written report. Such a report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours).

The Title IX Coordinator is: Nate Helling, Chief Financial Officer and VP of Operations
Their contact information is: nhelling@kairos.edu; 605-336-6588 ext. 2718

The Title IX Coordinator will promptly contact the reporter to discuss the availability of supportive measures (with or without the filing of a formal complaint) available, consider the complainant’s wishes with respect to supportive measures, inform the complainant of the options available for pursuing the issue, and explain the processes and protections that will follow.

2.  Informal Process

In some cases, an informal resolution process, such as mediation or restorative justice, may be sought between the parties. (An informal process will not be applied when the complaint alleges that an employee sexually harassed a student.) Otherwise, both parties must be given written notice of the allegations and both parties must give voluntary, written consent before using any such informal process. At any time prior to agreeing to a resolution, any party has the right to withdraw from informal resolution and resume the grievance process with respect to the formal complaint.

3.  Formal Process

In all other cases, a formal process, including an investigation, will be employed. That process includes the following steps:

a. Individuals who allege sexual discrimination or harassment will file a formal grievance with the Title IX Coordinator, identifying those against whom the complaint is made and the circumstances of the event(s) in which the alleged behavior occurred, and explicitly requesting that the university investigate the alleged harassment. This document will be signed and dated by the complainant. The complainant must be a current or prospective participant in the university community.

b. The Title IX Coordinator will investigate the matter or will utilize the services of another investigator with training in Title IX processes, internal or external to the university. Such investigation will be conducted without prejudgment of the facts at issue and free from conflicts of interest or bias for or against either party. The investigation will protect parties’ privacy by requiring a party’s written consent before using the party’s medical, psychological, or similar treatment records during the process.  The investigator will apply a presumption that the respondent is not responsible during the process, utilizing the clear and convincing evidence standard of evidence in all cases.

c. Both parties will be given equal opportunity to select an advisor of the party’s choice (who may be, but does not need to be, an attorney), and an equal opportunity to submit and review evidence throughout the investigation.

d. Both parties will be given the opportunity to present their case at a live hearing, in person or online. Each party will be given all evidence gathered by the investigator in advance of the hearing. Each party may call witnesses. Each party’s advisor can ask the other party and any witnesses all relevant questions and follow-up questions, including those challenging credibility. Such cross-examination at the live hearing must be conducted directly, orally, and in real time by the party’s advisor of choice and never by a party personally. If a party does not have an advisor present at the live hearing, the university will provide an advisor for them. If a party chooses not to participate in a live hearing, such absence does not weigh against them in the final determination of the matter. The hearing will be conducted by the decision-maker in the case, who will be the president or a disinterested party appointed by the president for this purpose.

e. All evidence gathered in the investigation and the hearing will be given to the decision-maker for a final determination. That final determination will be made in a timely manner, typically no more than 60 days from the filing of the complaint, will be in writing, will be distributed to both parties, and will include information on opportunities to appeal.

4.  Appeals

Any appeals must be made in writing within 14 days to the decision-maker, with rationale provided, such rationale to consist only of one or more of the following: procedural irregularity that affected the outcome of the matter; new evidence that was not reasonably available at the time the determination was made that could affect the outcome of the matter; and/or the Title IX Coordinator, investigator, or decision-maker had a conflict of interest or bias that affected the outcome of the matter. Should the decision-maker see grounds for reconsideration, s/he will refer the matter to another disinterested party for review and a subsequent decision, which shall be binding.

Remedies
Should the determination find the respondent responsible for sexual harassment, the decision-maker shall effectively implement or recommend remedies for the complainant, the respondent, and the institution. Should such remedies include alterations to employment, the processes employed in doing so will, under most circumstances, be confidential. The complainant should not expect to participate in this aspect of the case.

Other Protections
The university is committed to protecting any individual, including complainants, respondents, and witnesses, from retaliation for reporting sexual harassment.  The university will keep confidential the identity of complainants, respondents, and witnesses, except as may be permitted by FERPA, or as required by law, or as necessary to carry out a Title IX proceeding.

Federal Aid Policies

Federal Aid policies are available here for viewing in addition to the Student Handbook.

Accessibility

Kairos University is committed to providing transparent communication that is accessible to all individuals. Learn more here.

Average Time to Complete a Degree

2022
Master of Divinity: 4.03 years
M.A. in Counseling: 4.54 years
Master of Arts: 2.12 years
M.A. in Christian Leadership: 3.39 years
Doctor of Ministry: 3.03 years

2021
Master of Divinity: 4.04 years
M.A. in Counseling: 4.06 years
Master of Arts: 2.54 years
M.A. in Christian Leadership: 2.18 years
Doctor of Ministry: 1.83 years

2020
Master of Divinity: 3.87 years
M.A. in Counseling: 2.75 years
Master of Arts: 2.35 years
M.A. in Christian Leadership: 2.79 years
Doctor of Ministry: 3.75 years

Placement in the Last Three Years

2022
Placed: 90%
Number of Graduates: 104

2021
Placed: 93%
Number of Graduates: 54

2020
Placed: 97%
Number of Graduates: 35

Retention Rates

for students in programs

2022-2023
88.8%

2021-2022
81.4%

2020-2021
69.9%

2019-2020
90.40%

Graduation and Completion Rates

for students in programs

2018
MDIV 66.67%
DMIN 85.71%
MACL 58.82%
MA 50%

2019
MDIV 44.44%
DMIN 0%
MACL 25%
MA N/A

2020
MDIV 83%
DMIN 100%
MACL MA 67%
MA 100%

Completion Rate
View: Kairos University/Sioux Falls Seminary IPEDS Report

MAMFT Program Statistics

Statistics and student/graduate achievement data for the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy program can be found here.

MACO Licensure After Graduation

Graduates pursue licensure as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) after receiving their Master of Arts in Counseling degree by completing the necessary clinical contact, supervision hours, and licensing examination requirements.  NC-SARA Professional Licensure Directory

Percentage of Master of Arts in Counseling Students Seeking Licensure after Graduation

2022
100%

2021
100%

2020
100%

State Educational Requirements for Licensure (MAMFT)

The Kairos Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy meets licensure requirements in forty-one (41) states/districts:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., Wisconsin, Wyoming

Three (3) states have special internship hours that could possibly be achieved:

Maine, Oregon, Utah

Six (6) states require specific coursework that the Kairos MFT program does not offer:

Arkansas, Indiana, Maryland, North Dakota, Rhode Island, West Virginia

One (1) state has course requirements that are specific to the state and cannot be met while in a training program outside of the state:

California

 

For assistance navigating state licensure requirements, please contact the office of enrollment management at info@kairos.edu.

State Educational Requirements for Licensure (MACO)

Kairos University has reviewed the professional licensure requirements for counseling by state and determined that the Kairos Master of Arts in Counseling:

Meets the requirements for the states below –

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota,  Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Does Not Meet the requirements for the states below –

California, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Nevada

 

For assistance navigating state licensure requirements, please contact the office of enrollment management at info@kairos.edu.

Notice for International Students Regarding Online Education

A country may or may not regulate distance education that is provided to students in its jurisdiction and may or may not require foreign higher education institutions to comply with distance education regulations. Kairos University cannot guarantee that any of its degree programs meet curriculum requirements in a foreign country. It is, therefore, your responsibility as a perspective online student to understand the requirements for whether a degree from Kairos University will be recognized in your country of residence and/or in any country where you intend to work.

In addition, if you are considering an academic program that leads to professional licensure, you should first confirm with the appropriate licensing board or entity in your country of residence or the country in which you intend to work as to whether an online degree from Kairos University is recognized when seeking licensure or certification.