Accreditation with ABHE

Thanks for your interest in ABHE accreditation! For an overview of the accreditation process, access the Quick Links and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) . If you  have additional questions, feel free to contact ABHE Director to the Commission, Dr. Randall Bell (rebell@abhe.org) or Accreditation Services Coordinator, Stephanie Fry (sfry@abhe.org).


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Definition of Accreditation:
Accreditation is a process by which an institution evaluates its educational activities, in whole or in part, and seeks an independent judgment to confirm that it achieves its mission and goals and is generally equal in quality to comparable institutions or specialized units.

Principle for Accreditation:
An institution for Biblical higher education must demonstrate that it is substantially achieving and can be reasonably expected to continue to achieve its mission and the Standards for Accreditation. It must also demonstrate its commitment to ongoing institutional development.

Philosophy of Accreditation:
ABHE offers accreditation to institutions that are in accord with the Association’s Tenets of Faith and that have mission statements appropriate to biblical higher education. Accreditation is granted to institutions that satisfactorily demonstrate substantial compliance with the Association’s Conditions of Eligibility and its Standards for Accreditation.  Although accreditation signifies substantial compliance with the Association’s Standards, it is designed to foster ongoing systematic self-study with the goal of continuous institutional improvement. ABHE accredited institutions are expected to affirm, updating as needed, their statements of mission; examine the evidence for the achievement of their respective missions and goals; identify areas of strength, weakness, opportunity, or threat; and develop plans to address issues identified.  The ultimate goal of this process is to better equip institutions to prepare students for a life of service to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Types of Accreditation:
Institutional Accreditation (Undergraduate- and Graduate-Level): Review and recognition of an entire institution.

Programmatic Accreditation: Review and recognition of particular programs within an institution.

 

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