AICCS Candidate &
Accredited Members
USA Candidate and Accredited School Overview
AICCS provides clear procedures and processes to help your school develop its strengths and identify areas that need improvement, so your team can bring the very best to your students, faculty, and staff. While the accreditation journey may seem daunting at first, it is a deeply worthwhile and transformational process.
This page outlines the U.S. accreditation pathway for degree‑granting institutions operating under state religious‑exempt authorization.
U.S. schools that also serve international students or operate international ministry programs may qualify for a dual designation.
- AICCS Accredited (USA) — for U.S. degree programs
- AICCS International Institutional Accreditation (IIA) — for international certificate and diploma programs
Details about the dual designation are provided at the bottom of this page.
All AICCS member schools—Certified, Candidate, or Accredited—must comply with all applicable state and national regulations governing Christian higher education.
Member schools covenant to uphold the highest Christian moral values, maintaining academic credibility, ethical standards, and financial integrity. Each school agrees to operate in accordance with Christ’s Golden Rule, refraining from actions that would harm the outreach or effectiveness of another collegial ministry.
Accredited schools must also agree to accept applicable credits, courses, and degrees issued by other Approved, Candidate, or Accredited AICCS institutions.
Candidate Basics
1. Become a Candidate
The AICCS Board of Directors established seven accreditation standards in consultation with institutional leaders. These standards provide the foundation for consistent, fair, and mission‑aligned reviews across a wide range of U.S. institutions of many sizes and types.
a. Request Candidacy
AICCS member schools voluntarily request to enter the accreditation process. This begins the formal pathway toward becoming an AICCS-accredited institution (USA).
If your school also intends to serve international students or operate international certificate/diploma programs, please indicate your interest in the AICCS International Institutional Accreditation (IIA) pathway at this stage. Learn more below.
b. Candidate Certificate Issued
Once accepted, AICCS issues a Candidate for Accreditation certificate that is valid for six months. This certificate confirms that the institution has entered the accreditation process and is preparing for the self‑study and review phases.
2. Self-Study
AICCS provides the Self‑Study Workbook and the How‑to Manual for Non‑Traditional Schools to help Candidate institutions complete a clear, organized review of their practices. The school prepares a self‑study that involves the administration, faculty, and students, comparing institutional operations against the AICCS Standards and identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
If your school intends to offer international certificate or diploma programs, please indicate your interest in the AICCS International Institutional Accreditation (IIA) pathway at the time of candidacy. An additional IRI section will be included in your self‑study.
3. Final Review
Once the self‑study is complete, the school schedules either an on‑site visit or an online Zoom review with the AICCS evaluation team. This review must occur within the six‑month Candidate period.
The accreditation review fee is due when the school confirms its review date. Candidate institutions are responsible for the accreditation fee and, for on‑site visits, the evaluators’ travel, lodging, and meal expenses. All costs are submitted in advance to ensure a smooth review process. A Zoom review may be used when travel is limited or when a virtual format is more appropriate.
4. Completion, Advancement
Shortly after the on-site visit, the team will report to the Accrediting Commission of AICCS, which will evaluate the school’s compliance with the accrediting criteria and vote to grant or deny accreditation.
a. 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.
If the evaluation is favorable, an “Accredited Member” certificate will be issued to the school, but only after all on-site visit expenses have been paid in full.
4b. Deficiencies Noted
If the vote is unfavorable, deficiencies will be noted, the school will be advised, and an extension of up to one year will be granted for the school to come into full compliance, with a one-time additional fee being charged.
4c. Provision for Continuation
If the school is unprepared or unable to schedule an on-site visit within the first 6-month period, it may renew that Candidate certificate for up to three additional 6-month periods by paying a renewal fee for each extension (fees involved).
Candidate status may not exceed two years. Schools exceeding this limit must wait one year before reapplying.
Accreditation Basics
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 with official accreditation status produce a mandatory annual report, pay annual fees, file for approval of new curricula or substantive changes, and comply with all the Association’s standards and guidelines. AICCS schools must agree to accept the credits and degrees issued by other member schools of the Association when applicable. These obligations ensure consistency, integrity, and accountability across all AICCS institutions.
Accredition
Accreditation remains valid as long as annual fees are paid and the institution submits its mandatory annual reports. An “Accredited Member” certificate is issued each year, with the expiration date clearly displayed. In addition to the annual report, every AICCS‑accredited school must complete a more robust triennial report that provides a deeper review of institutional performance against the Seven Standards and Three Pillars.
3 Year Audit Review
In addition to the annual report, an AICCS-accredited school conducts a mandatory, detailed audit report that covers the seven standards and three pillars. This audit strengthens institutional quality and ensures ongoing alignment with AICCS expectations.
International Basics
Dual Designation for U.S. Schools
U.S. institutions accredited through AICCS may also apply for AICCS International Institutional Accreditation (IIA) if they offer international certificate or diploma programs. Because IIA evaluates the entire institution for global ministry training, schools must declare their interest at the time of candidacy.
When a school requests IIA during candidacy:
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An additional IIA section is added to the Self‑Study Workbook
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The school completes both the USA accreditation review and a separate international review
Two Designations
1. AICCS Accredited (USA)
For U.S. degree‑granting institutions operating under state religious‑exempt authorization.
2. AICCS International Institutional Accreditation (IIA)
For international certificate and diploma programs offered by the same institution. Learn more: IIA Accreditation
