Libertyville, Illinois, August 6, 2025
The St. Sava Serbian Orthodox School of Theology has reached a significant milestone in its institutional development, receiving Candidate for Accreditation status from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) on June 26.
The decision, made public on June 30, represents a crucial step toward full accreditation for the Libertyville-based seminary, which has been preparing Orthodox clergy for nearly four decades. The candidate status conditionally recognizes the school’s four-year Bachelor of Divinity degree both nationally and internationally.
“This Candidate Status reflects our unwavering commitment to academic excellence, to preserving the sacred legacy of Saint Sava, and to advancing the educational and spiritual mission of our holy Church throughout the United States” said Very Rev. Dr. Aleksandar Novakovic, the school’s dean, in an official statement.
The school, which has graduated approximately 200 students since its establishment in 1987, now faces a comprehensive evaluation process over the next 12 to 24 months. This will include conducting an extensive self-study, hosting multiple on-site evaluation visits from MSCHE teams, and implementing recommendations to meet the commission's rigorous academic standards.
The accreditation effort has been led by Hierodeacon Methodios, who serves as the school’s accreditation officer. The process received support from the highest levels of the Serbian Orthodox Church hierarchy, including His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije and the Holy Synod. His Eminence Metropolitan Longin, who leads the school’s Board of Trustees, has been instrumental in guiding the institution through this process.
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is one of seven regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Achieving full accreditation would provide the seminary's graduates with enhanced recognition for their theological education and could facilitate transfer credits and advanced study opportunities at other accredited institutions.
The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia’s Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, New York, also recently achieved candidate status through the same commission.
Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
