Biblical
An ABHE education involves extensive and rigorous study of the biblical text—its nature, narrative, interpretation, and teaching—aimed at building a coherent worldview framework for thinking and living flowing from the dispositions of both student and disciple.
Transformational
An ABHE education is intentionally transformational as students engage the life-changing Word of God and form authentic relationships with godly faculty and student peers—learning what it means to live out Kingdom values and Gospel priorities before a watching world.
Experiential
An ABHE education is experiential—involving hands-on ministry, service learning, and intercultural study opportunities that help students to discover their unique God-given gifts, passions, and sense of calling and to exercise and grow the life, ministry, and leadership skills required for passionate and proficient service.
Missional
An ABHE education is missional—because an authentically biblical worldview compels all believers, regardless of present or future occupation–to understand their personal vocation within the context of history’s destiny: the day when all peoples have heard the Good News and the kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of our God and of His Christ.
About ABHE
The Association for Biblical higher Education is a North American agency, made of approximately 200 postsecondary institutions throughout North America specializing in biblical ministry formation and professional leadership education. ABHE exists to enhance the quality and credibility of higher educational institutions that engage students in biblical, transformational, experiential, and missional higher education through accreditation, professional development, and collaborative engagements benefiting the Kingdom of Christ.
Institutions served in U.S. & Canada
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Latest ABHE News
Keep up on the latest ABHE news.
Compensation and Benefits Summary Report Now Available
Thanks to the good work and partnership of our sister association, The Association of Business Administrators of Christian Colleges (ABACC), the long-awaited current Compensation and Benefits Survey Comparison Report is now available for download on the ABHE website.... read more
2016 Biblical Higher Education Award Recipient – Dr. William D. Boyd
The ABHE Board has acted to confer the Biblical Higher Education Award upon Dr. William D. Boyd. Bill’s service in Biblical Higher Education and within ABHE spans more than three decades. During those years, he has capably and energetically led three ABHE... read more
Announcing the 2016 Jonathan N Thigpen Growth Awards
Presented by ABHE in partnership with our sponsor, the Evangelical Training Association in recognition of outstanding achievement represented by the highest unduplicated annualized headcount enrollment growth from 2014-2015, presented to one institution of biblical... read moreFebruary 2016 Summary of Actions
As required by §602.26 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation is providing information concerning recent accreditation actions. Please click here for the Summary of Actions from the... read more
Let the nominations begin!
ABHE’s newest initiative, nexleader, is a partnership with colleges and universities to develop their highest potential student leaders. The nexleader journey is a one-year guided discovery experience combining a bundle of self-assessments with virtual coaching, peer learning communities and a leadership gathering to help student leaders discover their identity, develop their giftedness, live Bible-centered and give themselves away.
read moreUpcoming ABHE Events
Upcoming events of interest.
SEP 28-29 – The Accreditation Journey Conference
As you well know, the art & science of accreditation is a journey, not a punch list. At its heart, this represents significant leadership capacity to enhance and verify the quality of the academic programs and the overall excellence of an institution. It’s not a... read more
OCT 1-2 – CFO Summit
What’s the value to your institution of sound, accurate, and timely financial information. As you well know, such information doesn’t magically appear. It’s the results of your hard work and a strong financial management team. Every healthy institution has a competent... read more
OCT 5-6 – Enrollment Summit
How would you describe the expectations and pressures that face the typical enrollment department in biblical higher education? In this high-pressure context, what does an effective enrollment officer need to know to be effective? What are the competencies necessary... read more
OCT 19-20 – Academic Officers Summit
Leading the faculty of a great institution of higher learning is a noble calling. Building the right programs, cultivating an enriched learning environment, aligning learning resources and experiences, coordinating assessment, hiring the right faculty . . . and of... read more
OCT 22-23 – Presidential Summit
The successful journey of an enduring presidency includes your own personal and professional development. The sharpest knife made from even the best metal grows dull with use. The same is true for those on the cutting edge of leadership. As president, you live on that... read moreFeatured ABHE Institution
Ohio Christian University is committed to offering a complete education that develops students intellectually, professionally, and spiritually. OCU was founded in 1948 as Circleville Bible College for the purpose of educating clergy for the Churches of Christ in Christian Union. While remaining true to its founders’ vision, Ohio Christian University has expanded its outreach by becoming accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the Association for Biblical Higher Education and adding associate, bachelor, and master’s degree programs in disciplines such as business and government, emergency management & business, psychology, substance abuse counseling, and human services.
Featured ABHE Institution
Would you believe that five of the 25 institutions cited in a March 2015 research report, Top 25 Small Colleges for a Counseling Degree are ABHE member colleges? Based on analysis of factors such as accreditation, graduation rate, retention rate and net price, here are the ABHE colleges whose counseling programs ranked in the top 25: Summit University, PA (#15); Grace University, NE (#13), William Jessup University, CA (#9), Johnson University, TN (#7), and … drum roll, please … Emmaus Bible College, IA (#1)! Congratulations President Phil Boom! Emmaus is located in Dubuque, Iowa, a Mississippi River city of 60,000 people. It serves as the metropolitan center of 250,000 residents in the Iowa/Wisconsin/Illinois tri-state area. The Emmaus Bible College graduation rate for 2013-2014 was 82% Learn more about their program offerings.
ABHE Students Speak Out
Because Education Should Have Value
Cairn University student, George, knows that an education isn’t worth much if it doesn’t make a lasting impact in your life. He used to think that he already had most of the facts he needed to quickly breeze through college, but is now finding his time at Cairn to be a much richer and valuable experience than he imagined. His education at Cairn, more precious than money.
Sharing Her Story
Laura Story, recording artist, never dreamed of having such a unique platform for serving the Lord. She credits Columbia International University with helping her understand and apply Scripture to her career, believing the context of ministry is ultimately less important than the motivation behind it. The ministry that God has called me to happens to involve microphones and being on stage, Story said. But the core of ministry is acknowledging that God has given each of us a story and being willing to share that story of how we’ve seen God’s faithfulness in our lives.
Nurturing the Soul
Any university gives out college degrees, but few nurture the Christian soul, said Yona Roberts (B.A. 03, MSC 04) about her educational experience with Hope International University. Roberts, who is a resource specialist at Pendleton Elementary, was awarded the prestigious Teacher of the Year Award both for Pendleton Elementary and the Buena Park School District for 2010. Attending Hope gives you the opportunity to nurture your spirit as well as your mind. I made a core group of friends that will last a lifetime. The service projects that were available grew my love for those who are less fortunate than myself, and the dorm nights and chapel services helped me connect to God on a personal level.
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ABHE & ACSI Partnership
By means of a formal Memorandum of Affiliation, ABHE and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) have resolved to collaborate in assuring, advancing, and advocating for distinctively biblical and excellent Christian education at the preschool, primary, secondary, and tertiary levels under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the authority of the Christian Scriptures. Read More!
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