An accredited institution is a school deemed as accredited at the time the degree was conferred by at least one of the following:

• U.S. Institutions
  • a regional accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
  • one of the following national accrediting organizations: the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) or the Association of Theological Schools (ATS)
  • degrees granted after 2003 from schools accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), or Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS)
   
• Non-U.S. Institutions
  • the government of a foreign country
  • the Ministry of Education in a foreign country
  • an approved regional accrediting organization
   

An accredited institution must also be legally authorized by the state/government to provide that education program. An institution in "candidate" status for accreditation is not considered fully accredited. Please contact the Office of Admissions if you need assistance discerning whether an institution is accredited.