Old Tappan, New Jersey – December 2, 2025
St. John’s Theological Seminary (SJTS) is pleased to announce that it has been officially approved for membership in the American Association for Higher Education and Accreditation (AAHEA) as of December 1, 2025. This recognition marks a significant milestone in the Seminary’s ongoing development as a center of theological education and its commitment to academic excellence.
AAHEA, one of the nation’s oldest higher-education associations, is dedicated to promoting strong academic standards, institutional integrity, and continuous improvement among colleges, universities, and seminaries. Membership affirms that an institution upholds best practices in governance, curriculum, assessment, and educational quality.
“This membership represents an important affirmation of the vision behind St. John’s Theological Seminary,” said His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho, President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “From the beginning, our goal has been to build a seminary that offers rigorous theological education while remaining deeply rooted in the Syriac Orthodox faith and tradition. Being welcomed into AAHEA strengthens our ability to uphold high academic standards as we continue to grow.”
The Seminary operates under the spiritual patronage of His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch, and offers programs designed to form clergy, scholars, and lay leaders through academic study, liturgical participation, and spiritual formation.
“Membership in AAHEA connects St. John’s with a respected network of educational institutions and provides access to resources that support strong governance, curriculum development, and institutional effectiveness,” said His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak, Vice President of the Seminary. “This step strengthens the foundation upon which our Seminary is being built.”
The approval comes during a period of continued growth for St. John’s, which has been expanding its academic programs, refining its governance structures, and strengthening its faculty. Membership in AAHEA supports the Seminary’s long-term vision to serve seminarians preparing for ordained ministry as well as lay students and church leaders seeking advanced theological education.
With this recognition, St. John’s Theological Seminary continues its mission of preparing the next generation of servants, scholars, and spiritual leaders for the Syriac Orthodox Church in North America and beyond.
For more information about St. John’s Theological Seminary and its academic programs, please visit the Seminary’s official website www.sjtseminary.org
