Association for Biblical Education

The Accreditation Procedure

1. Applicant status

A. Attaining applicant status

An institution desiring applicant status with the Commission on Accreditation should forward to the Association office the current application fee and three copies of the following items:

A completed ABHE application form,
An official letter from the chief executive officer stating the board of control’s desire for the institution to pursue accreditation with the Association,
An official statement from the chief executive officer reflecting a board of control decision to affirm support of the ABHE Tenets of Faith, and
A document demonstrating compliance with the Conditions of Eligibility according to the sample available from the Association office.

An institution may wish to obtain the counsel of the Association’s professional staff with respect to the preparation of this document. An on-site visit by a member of the professional staff will assist the institution in analyzing itself in relation to the Conditions of Eligibility and in determining what steps would need to be taken in order to document compliance with the conditions.

The Commission’s Committee on Applicant and Candidate Status will review these materials and determine whether to grant or deny applicant status or defer action. The committee’s decision is based upon whether it believes the institution has demonstrated compliance with the Conditions of Eligibility and appears to be able to achieve candidate status within four years.

An institution denied applicant status must wait one year before reapplying. If desired, it may appeal the decision in accord with the “Policy and Procedures for Appeals.” An institution may voluntarily withdraw its request for applicant status, without prejudice, at any time prior to the decision of the Committee on Applicant and Candidate Status.

B. Maintaining applicant status

An applicant institution must demonstrate progress in moving toward candidate status. The Commission’s Committee on Applicant and Candidate Status will annually review theinstitution’s progress report, its financial audit report for the recently completed fiscal year, and its completed annual report form. It will then make a determination whether sufficient progress is being made to warrant the continuation of applicant status. Continued applicant status is contingent upon submission to the Association Commission of all required reports and payment of annual fees to the Association when due. In extenuating circumstances, a grace period of up to six months may be requested. Institution representatives are expected to participate annually in the Association’s self-study seminar.

C. Statement on applicant status

Applicant institutions are to accurately reflect the nature of “applicant status” in their catalogs and other advertising. The following statement must be used to define applicant status: “(Institution name) holds applicant status with the Association for Biblical Higher Education, 5850 T. G. Lee Blvd., Ste. 130, Orlando, FL 32822; 407.207.0808. Applicant status is a pre-membership status granted to those institutions that meet the ABHE Conditions of Eligibility and that possess such qualities as may provide a basis for achieving candidate status within four years.”

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