If you are the leader of a Bible college, you have likely already put in countless hours of hard work, research, and prayer to get your school off the ground. Your work in biblical higher education is the priceless task of shaping hearts and minds in the pursuit of Christ. As such, it’s important that your institution is properly equipped in order for its mission to be effective.
One of the most vital steps in equipping your Bible school for success is achieving accreditation status. If you’re wondering when to accredit your Bible college, we have put together an easy self-assessment guide to make sure you are ready for the next step.
What Is Accreditation?
If you are in any way affiliated with the realm of higher education, you have probably heard the term accreditation. Accreditation is a process of determining whether your school meets established educational standards and criteria. These standards vary depending on the type of accreditation you are seeking, and your accreditation status must be renewed on a recurrent basis.
If that all seems a bit abstract, here are a few concrete benefits that accreditation lends your institution:
- Credibility. Schools that are accredited are taken seriously and gain more widespread recognition.
- Transferable credits. If your school is accredited, students are easily able to transfer credits between schools.
- Government assistance. Depending on your school’s legal status, being accredited may offer your school additional tax exemptions or government assistance.
- Quality assurance. When your college is accredited, you undergo periodic evaluations to ensure that academic excellence is upheld. This not only benefits your students’ quality of education, it also builds trust in your institution’s name.
Now that you understand the benefits of accreditation, how do you know that your Bible college is ready to become accredited?
1. Your Curriculum Is Established
Arguably one of the most important components of a Bible school is the content that you are teaching your students. A good indication that you are ready for accreditation is possessing a well-established, substantial curriculum. You will likely need to submit your course catalog, course syllabi, etc., in order to prove that you are meeting academic standards. For Christian schools, it is important that this curriculum is biblically based, theologically sound, and spiritually robust.
2. You Have a History of Student Records
In order to evaluate your school, accreditation organizations need to see a history of student records. This proves that you are a legitimate educational institution with student attendance and performance. It also goes hand-in-hand with having an established curriculum, as it verifies your curriculum’s quality and applicability to students’ learning.
3. You Boast a Staff of Qualified Instructors
All of this wouldn’t be possible without the support of qualified instructors. If you have a staff of dedicated professors and instructors, you know how invaluable they are. These men and women are the guardians of the classroom who make it possible for students to connect with Christ through higher education. They use innovative teaching strategies to shape the hearts and minds of students and give them an education that lasts. It is important that teachers at your college have the proper qualifications and certifications for their fields so your school can continue to provide the highest possible level of education.
4. Your Institution Is Financially Stable
Being financially secure shows accreditation organizations that you have a long-term vision for your Bible school and that you are set up well to succeed. This entails having a balanced budget, managing donor funds appropriately, and showing accreditors a plan for the next few years of your college. Financial stability is not just about business success; it is about trustworthiness and good stewardship.
5. You Have a Clearly Delineated Mission Statement
Particularly for Christian higher education, having a clearly defined mission statement is one of the first things accreditors will seek out. This is the purpose behind everything you do. Your mission statement should include your Bible college’s denominational affiliation (if any), your core values, your statement of faith, and your desired educational goals.
6. Your Institution Holds the Appropriate Legal Structure
Before seeking accreditation, be sure you know exactly what legal structure your Bible college should have. According to Start Your Own Bible School, there are three common options for a school’s legal structure: a non-profit organization, a private educational organization, and a for-profit entity. For most Bible schools, these first two options apply. Once you determine your legal structure, you can file for 501(c) tax-exempt status. Here at IABCS, we specialize in helping Bible colleges and seminaries to achieve and maintain their 501(c) status to ease the burden on administration.
7. Your School Meets All Accreditation Requirements
Finally, you will know your Bible school is ready for accreditation when you have verified that it meets all the requirements of your chosen accreditation. We have outlined several of these already, but be sure to research whichever accreditation option suits your school’s needs and verify that you meet all of their requirements before applying.
We understand that achieving accreditation for your Bible college can be a daunting task. Between establishing a well-rounded curriculum, staffing qualified instructors, and setting your school up for long-term financial success, the last thing you may want to do is wade into the waters of accreditation alone.
At IABCS, we are here to offer you a community of like-minded Christian schools and seminaries who share your mission for providing excellent Christian higher education. If you are looking to lend your institution lasting credibility and support, contact us about becoming a part of our faithful international community today!
