There are two main forms of accreditation – Independent and Regional. Because all accreditation is purely voluntary, many institutions choose Independent accreditation, so they are not compelled to conform to governmental restrictions, but still have accountability with regard to the high quality education they strive to provide their students.
Sometimes erroneously referred to as governmental accreditation, Regional accreditation is granted by six private non-governmental corporations, known as agencies. Each agency is responsible for and provides accreditation for universities in a separate area of the country. Regional accreditation means schools are eligible to receive government funds such as student loans and federal student grants. Conversely, students who do not attend a regionally accredited school are not eligible to receive US government funds to help pay for their schooling. Many excellent schools are regionally accredited. Students with career goals that require a degree from a regionally accredited institution will want to complete a program of study from one of these schools.
Disciples of Christ Bible College and Seminary is an educational institution that has chosen religious Independent accreditation based on our desire to teach the whole Word of God without secular government involvement.
State of Florida Department of Education
Disciples of Christ Bible College and Seminary operates under the authorization, as a degree granting religious institution through the exemption, by the Florida State Board of Independent Colleges and Universities under Section 1005.06 (1) (f), FLA Statutes. The state, like other states, does not require accreditation or theological accreditation for our religious education based programs. However, Disciples of Christ Bible College and Seminary has sought to attain accreditation anyway.
Association of Independent Christian Colleges & Seminaries
Disciples of Christ Bible College and Seminary is a member of the Association of Independent Christian Colleges & Seminaries (AICCS). Association of Independent Christian Colleges & Seminaries is one of the largest, non-government accrediting groups in the world. AICCS is a non-profit association of independent Christian Colleges and Seminaries committed to academic excellence, intellectual freedom, ethical conduct, and moral integrity. AICCS was chartered as a charitable corporation in the state of Missouri to help establish, support, maintain, and promote the development of non-traditional, modular, and private tutoring/mentoring methods on-campus, and audio/video-taped, on-line, and other distance learning methods off-campus.
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OFCHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
International Association of Christian Schools (IACS) – provides accreditation for Christian schools, churches and ministries, with a mission of training and equipping followers of Christ for works of service. Our member schools must first be ordained and accredited by God which is the only true standard for acceptance into Kingdom service. It is this standard that sets us up and beyond the rest. Our accrediting process is not based on man-made purposes or agendas, but based solely on the purpose and mandate of Christ… “to go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations.” It is this authority by which we operate and function as an accrediting agency appointed and anointed to assist those who are called to fulfill the Great Commission given by Christ, until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our God.
If you are looking for a secular (non-ministry related) education, it is advisable that you seek a secular school for your education and training, but if you are seeking a spirit-filled education and practical training in ministry and biblical studies that will equip you to teach, lead, and serve in Christian Ministry and promote the Gospel of the King of God, then our schools offer what we consider one of the best options available. The I.A.C.S. is not affiliated with, not seeks to be affiliated with any government agency and is designed solely for the expressed purpose of providing accreditation for member schools who are training and equipping followers of Christ for Christian service.
