IATS Accreditation Frequently Asked Questions
What is accreditation?
Higher education accreditation is a type of quality assurance and educational accreditation process under which services and operations of tertiary educational institutions or programs are evaluated to determine if applicable standards are met. If standards are met, accredited status is granted by the agency.
In most countries around the world, the function of educational accreditation for higher education is regulated by a government organization. In the United States, however, the quality assurance process is independent of government and performed by private agencies.[1] Canada takes a unique position, not allowing any accreditation by government or private agencies, causing some Canadian institutions to seek accreditation by American agencies.[2] Similar situation occurs in Singapore and Macau, which both countries do not have their own higher education accreditation organisation. Some institution from above countries seek accreditation from foreign agencies instead.
Neither the US Department of Education nor the CHEA accredit individual institutions.[3] IATS is International Accreditation.
In what ways are Bible colleges different from Christian liberal arts colleges?
Institutions of biblical higher education (commonly referred to as Bible colleges) and Christian liberal arts colleges have many similarities. Each emphasizes the importance of recognizing the Christ over every aspect of thinking, living, and working. Each seeks to help students to develop a Christian world view and to cultivate Christian values and character. Each emphasizes the importance of a godly faculty who teach both by word and by example. Institutions of biblical higher education and Christian liberal arts colleges/universities are quite diverse, so it is dangerous to over-generalize. Nevertheless, here are a few ways in which Bible colleges and other types of biblical higher education institutions tend to differ from Christian liberal arts institutions: Regardless of the variety and diversity of their educational program offerings, institutions of biblical higher education generally require students to complete substantially more course work in biblical and theological studies than their Christian liberal arts counterparts. A typical IATS institution requires 30+ semester hours of Bible. A typical Christian liberal arts college or university requires 6-12 semester hours of Bible. IATS accredited institutions require students to be involved in ministry formation experiences; many Christian liberal arts colleges/universities encourage ministry involvement, but most do not require it nor offer formal training, supervision, and evaluation.[4]
Does IATS accredit K-12 and seminary/graduate programs?
Yes. IATS accredits all levels of primary and postsecondary education—from k-12, associate, schools of ministry, undergraduate certificates and associate degrees to doctoral degrees. Approximately one-thirds of ITSA accredited institutions currently offer graduate education. IATS has applied to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) for recognition for all programs through the doctoral level.
Does IATS accredit institutions outside of North America?
Unlike other Accreditation organizations, the IATS Commission on Accreditation accredits institutions and programs of Biblical higher education globally.
Will accreditation guarantee that my credits will transfer?
Probably, but not necessarily. No institution is required to accept credits from another–regardless of accreditation or lack thereof. It is always the prerogative of the receiving institution to determine whether and which credit will transfer.
Accredited status of an institution is an important, but not the sole factor, to consider in transfer of credit decisions. Considering transfer requests serves students and the public. The public interest and students are best served when institutions commit to at least consideration of transfer requests, not rejecting such requests out of hand. Accepting transfer credits is the responsibility and prerogative of institutions.
The CHEA establishes the government standards that IATS also adheres to and their statement on this offers four criteria that accrediting organizations and institutions are asked to consider as decisions are made about transfer of credit and academic quality.
These criteria are:
Balance in the use of accreditation status in transfer decisions: Institutions and accreditors need to assure that transfer decisions are not made solely on source of accreditation of a sending program or institution. Consistency: Institutions and accreditors need to reaffirm that the considerations that inform transfer decisions are applied consistently. Accountability for effective public communication: Institutions and accreditors need to assure that students and the public are fully and accurately informed about their respective transfer policies and practices. Communication to address innovation: Institutions and accreditors need to be flexible and open in considering alternative approaches to managing transfer when these approaches will benefit students.
The Statement goes on to say that the transfer framework is offered as an advisory document for accrediting agencies and institutions. CHEA and the accrediting organizations believe that efforts to strengthen transfer would be most successful if approached in a collegial manner; the framework does not constitute an accreditation or recognition standard. If you believe that you or someone you know has been treated unfairly in regard to transfer credit, you are welcome to solicit our help in seeking fair consideration of your work.
“Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.” Acts 2:22 (NIV)
Accreditation conveys the message that an external set of measures has been applied and a match achieved. Several activities are involved in the accreditation process.
- Marjorie Peace Lenn, Global Trends in Quality Assurance in Higher Education Archived 2008-10-29 at the Wayback Machine, World Education News and Reviews, v. 5, no. 2, Spring 1992, pages 1 and 21
- “Third Canadian University Accredited in U.S.” 4 August 2016.
- “Accreditation in the United States”. US Department of Education.
- Accreditation FAQ’s – Association for Biblical Higher Education
International Association of Theological Schools 