Accreditation - Theological - Accountability

 NTS Theological Accreditation Through Educational Accountability

 

"Celebrating Over 45-Years of Educational Ministry"

Introduction

In the educational world today, regional accreditation is not always a mandatory requirement especially for ministry related, non secular, avocations/ professions. Many Pastors, Christian teachers, Christian Counselors, etc. opt for Bible Colleges and Seminaries with non regional accreditation which result in huge financial savings while still achieving a quality standard of education. In fact, the majority of Bible schools are NOT regionally accredited.

At Northwestern, we have numerous students and graduates who have come to us from major seminaries, colleges and universities, including Liberty and Fuller etc. for their post graduate studies, to earn a Master's or Doctoral degree. Of course many of our graduate school students already have a regionally accredited Bachelor or Master's degree but it is not necessary for many ministry related positions.

Northwestern Theological Seminary is a member in good standing with the IACEA. The International Association for Christian Educational Accountability is a Christian alternative to secular accreditation and as such,  is not controlled or dictated to by the U.S. Dept. of Education thus allowing Biblical positions to be supported in areas such as Abortion, Same Sex Marriage etc. Educational Accountability and Accreditation are interchangeable.

Concerning seminary accreditation or educational accountability; the value of any accredited university, accredited bible college or educationally accountable online seminary degree is subjective, depending on the amount of work that went into earning it, the student’s attitude and aptitude, and external circumstances related to the school itself or to the graduate’s working world.

You should be aware that the vast majority of Christian Private Schools, Bible Colleges and Seminaries elect not to be governed by the U.S. Department of Education and do not seek Regional Accreditation, which is more common among Secular Colleges and Universities. Christian Educational Ministries are automatically exempt from the dictates of both the Government and secular accreditation agencies. Northwestern Theological Seminary, like other Christian Education Ministries, has a form of theological accreditation which may be recognized and respected as an acceptable form of accreditation / Educational Accountability for those in pursuit of non secular, ministry related avocations.

Northwestern Theological Seminary is both a state authorized and theologically accredited / educationally accountable institution of higher learning. Most accredited universities, accredited seminaries, accredited Bible colleges and accredited colleges have their own criteria for recognition and acceptability of online educational credits. The individual should always address specific questions to selected institutions in determining their particular criteria concerning accreditation / educational accountability. 

Northwestern Theological Seminary is an educational outreach ministry of Christian Alliance Ministries Worldwide. Our ministry, established in 1980, has branch seminaries, evangelistic ministries and thousands of members in over 40 countries included within the United States, Latin America, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Concerning Accreditation in the USA

Accreditation is BIG BUSINESS today and what is happening amongst the major accreditation agencies fits the definition of a monopoly.

Only a few agencies are recognized by the Government through the U.S. Department of Education and these agencies have instituted astronomical fees and requirements that make it financially impossible for smaller colleges, universities and seminaries to comply.

They go as far as to assume that any accreditation that is not provided by Governmentally approved accreditors is not accreditation at all and they then call all non traditional schools, Bible Colleges and Seminaries that do not have regional accreditation or D.O.E. / Governmentally approved accreditation as non accredited. Unfair? Yes of course it is.. But, this is BIG Business and it is controlled by the few major accrediting bodies recognized by the Government.

The cost of accreditation with a major accrediting organization adds up to millions of dollars in expense for colleges and universities that have such accreditation. That is why it costs up to $200,000.00 or more, for a four year degree from a  private universality today, making it impossible for the under privileged and many middle classed students to enroll. In fact, many of the students who do enroll in the major colleges and universities wind up strapped with huge student loans which compound and take many years to pay off.

Thankfully there are non traditional schools, Bible Colleges and Seminaries available that are equipped and able to meet this great educational need.

Northwestern Seminary is such a school and we are meeting a great need by providing a quality, accredited educational opportunity for 98% less than it costs to attend a private university in the United States. We do this while providing our students a state of the art online library and the MOODLE online educational management system which is the same system used by major colleges and universities.

Government Recognition

• United States: The U.S. provides STRONG constitutional rights, supported by the Supreme Court, providing for the freedom of religious-based education
• NTS is legally registered as part of a Nevada Corporation.
• Arizona Board for Private and Postsecondary Education: As a Theological Seminary offering only religious degrees, Northwestern Theological Seminary is exempt and not regulated under A.R.S. §32-3022(E) and A.R.S. §32-3001 et.seq. and is not under the jurisdiction of the Arizona Board of Private and Post Secondary education. *Note: Our Letter of Intent was acknowledged by a formal letter from Deputy Director; Keith Blanchard on April 27, 2006

IACEA Theological Accreditation by Christian Educational Evaluation and Accountability.

The International Association for Christian Educational Accountability (IACEA)

https://iacea.info/

IACEA Approval:

Northwestern Theological Seminary and University is a member in good standing with The International Association for Christian Educational Accountability, a Worldwide organization for Christian Theological accreditation through evaluation and accountability, with the goal of maintaining the highest educational standards for its' member institutions. IACEA accreditation standards are maintained through ongoing evaluation, compliance and accountability.

IACEA supports the Biblical principle of separation of Church and state; Mark.12:17; James 4:4; II Corinthians. 6:14. Remaining consistent with Biblical standards and not liberal or secular positions, IACEA has chosen not to seek endorsement by either the EAES or COPA, CHEA etc. which are all governmentally influenced accrediting organizations. IACEA is a rapidly growing and respected network of over 500 schools on the cutting edge of Christ-centered, Biblical education. 

IACEA is an international membership association of hundreds of Christian educational institutions. Members must pass an evaluation process, leading to theological accreditation for their educational programs in accord with Christian educational standards and institutional integrity through initial and ongoing evaluations. All IACEA member institutions are enabled to demonstrate educational accountability to the Christian educational community. This accountability is demonstrated through documented evidence of compliance with IACEA standards of structure, governance, material resources, policies, faculty and curriculum. 

The following quote is taken from the web site of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).  "There are accrediting organizations that may not be recognized but are not accreditation mills. For example, the accreditor may be seeking recognition, but the process is not complete. Or the accreditor does not meet the requirements of CHEA or USDE for reasons that do not relate to quality."

The following quote is from the United States Department of Education. "It should be noted that some institutions have chosen not to participate in the federal student aid program and therefore do not have to be approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the Department. While these institutions do not appear on the Department's list, they may be legitimate schools.

This quote is from the former executive director of the Association for Biblical Higher Education (an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education), stated as follows: "There are hundreds of Bible Colleges and Seminaries in the United States and Canada that are offering good solid theological training, yet they are not accredited. 

But, will a degree from Northwestern, be accepted by your Church or place of employment?
While there certainly are some situations when only a degree from a regionally accredited or government approved school can qualify one for certain positions and privileges, often you will be judged and accepted based on how you present yourself, not solely by the image represented by the school from which you graduated.  Example: Are you already in ministry?  If so, when was the last time a member of your church asked you if you had a degree at all, much less if it was from a regionally accredited university, college or seminary?

Ministry and education: Your ministry avocation is one of those areas where God’s will and plan is more important than anything else. In fact, for those already serving in ministry, a degree from a highly credible though governmentally unrecognized school may be the smartest choice. Especially when you can receive a quality online seminary education for a fraction of the expense associated with regionally accredited schools. We should not forget that, especially in the Christian tradition, academic freedom is considered a cornerstone of religious liberty.  Of course, so is academic responsibility!  Therefore, any program of study leading to a theological degree should be both Biblically sound, and academically honest. At NTS, you can be assured of such integrity with quality educational materials based soundly on Biblical principles.

However, if you are concerned whether your church or place of employment will accept you with a degree earned through a privately accredited school, that is not regionally accredited, then you should simply inquire concerning the same. Remember too, that even with degrees earned from regionally accredited schools; there could be restrictions on what kind of degree is recognized. Always inquire first, since in some cases, denominations and ministries may not accept degrees from secular schools, or schools not affiliated with a specific denomination or organization.

Educational Affiliations

Northwestern Theological Seminary is a member is good standing with the following:

1. The International Association of Christian Theologians    T.I.A.C.T.

2. The American Theological Library Association    A.T.L.A.

3. The Theology Journal Editorial Committee    T.J.E.C.

4. International Fellowship of Christian Ministries    I.F.C.M

All NTS Degree Programs are intended to prepare students for Ministry Avocations.

All races and nationalities are fully welcome at Northwestern Theological Seminary.

In the United States many licensing authorities require regionally accredited degrees as the basis for eligibility for licensing. In some cases, accredited colleges may not accept for transfer courses and degrees completed at non regionally accredited colleges, and some employers may require a regionally  accredited degree as a basis for eligibility for employment. Potential students should consider how the above may affect their interests.