What is
Accreditation?
AICCS Accreditation Overview
AICCS seeks to serve Christian colleges & seminaries by providing access to one of the world's largest non-governmental academic associations.
Accreditation has several components that relate to each other as the process unfolds. Please also look at Steps to Accreditation.
Standards
Those who desire accreditation align their schools with the AICCS Standards. The Board of Directors establishes AICCS standards with representatives of institutional schools. These established, tried-and-true standards provide the basis for solid, consistent reviews across many types and sizes of institutions.
The Association of Independent Christian Colleges and Seminaries (AICCS) serves as the central governing body and quality assurance coordinator for a global network of state-exempt, faith-based tertiary institutions. AICCS establishes and enforces mandatory Standards of Excellence across three core pillars: Academic Credibility, Ethical Standards, and Financial Integrity.
Our agency maintains active oversight through a robust digital governance framework that requires comprehensive annual reporting on faculty credentials, curricular rigor, and institutional sustainability. By centralizing these mechanisms, AICCS ensures that religious freedom is paired with global benchmarks for academic and institutional accountability.
Process Overview
Self-Study
AICCS schools petition and volunteer to participate in the accreditation process. Once a school requests candidacy, it pays the fee and receives a Study Guide Workbook. Institutions will then develop their self-study process involving administration, faculty, and students, resulting in a detailed self-study document. The Workbook compares institutional practices with AICCS standards and the school's goals and objectives. It identifies strengths, areas for improvement, and aspirations for future development. When the school completes the self-study, it contacts AICCS to schedule an on-site review, and the review fees are due at that time.
On-Site Review
A team of trained AICCS evaluators carefully considers self-study during the visit to the school campus. The evaluators then prepare a report of their findings for the Accreditation Commission, detailing the school’s consistency with AICCS standards, areas for improvement, and potential future issues. Before the Commission takes official action, the institution can respond to the evaluator’s report regarding errors of fact, conclusions based on errors of fact, or any documented changes to the program since the team departed from the campus.
Update: since COVID-19, AICCS has been providing a distance review process. Please inquire.
Commission Action
The Commission on Accreditation reviews the institution’s self-study, the AICCS Evaluator’s Report, and any additional responses from the school under review. The Commission decides on accreditation status based on published AICCS standards and guidelines. It communicates with the institution until the accreditation review is completed.
Institutions may publish the AICCS logo on their websites and publications upon acceptance and approval by AICCS.
Publication
Results concerning the accredited status of all member schools are published in the AICCS Directory. In addition, the formal Report of the AICCS Commission on Accreditation is made available within thirty days after each of the Commission’s meetings.
Obligations
AICCS schools that hold official status produce and submit a mandatory AICCS detailed Annual Report. Institutions must also request approval of new curricula or substantive changes and comply with all the Association’s standards and guidelines.
AICCS schools agree to accept the credits and degrees issued by all other member schools of the Association when applicable.
Accredited schools must undergo a more robust report every 3 years.