Seminary Accreditation and Certification

Northwestern Theological Seminary is an educational outreach ministry of Christian Alliance Ministries Worldwide. Our ministry, established in 1980, is composed of thousands of affiliate churches, hundreds of NTS branch seminaries / NCU branch universities, which include approximately 400,000 affiliate members in approximately 40 countries throughout the United States, Latin America, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Northwestern Theological Seminary provides for credits to be assessed toward your Degree program, based on traditional coursework, research papers, thesis, and dissertation. Through the AADP accelerated degree program  some credit, in accord with legal guidelines, may also be approved based on evaluation of prior ministry and educational experience. However, traditional course programs will always remain within our primary curriculum as the standard for those choosing not to participate in accelerated seminary learning. All courses are theologically accredited.

Accrditation and Recognition of Credit

Concerning accreditation or certification; the value of any accredited university, accredited bible college or accredited online seminary degree is subjective. It relates to the amount of work that goes into earning a degree, the student’s attitude and aptitude, and external circumstances related to the school itself as well as the student’s surroundings, home life and daily schedule and experience.

Let's clear something up that has resulted in persecution through the disrespect of many good Bible Colleges and Seminaries. There are those who say that a school is not to be recognized unless it is accredited by a government approved accreditor. This is simply unfair and not true.

While there are accreditation mills and degree mills, there are also good non governmentally regulated colleges universities and seminaries as well as good non governmentally regulated educational evaluation organizations, There exists today several qualified organizations which offer certification to educationally qualified Bible Colleges and Seminaries who refuse to pay the high cost of government approved accreditation and who do not agree with the practice of condoning non biblical teaching.

Such Bible Colleges and Seminaries have been examined by and remain accountable to qualified non governmentally regulated organizations for on going evaluation and compliance to high educational standards. As non governmentally controlled certifying organizations, they function professionally by examining and evaluated the educational programs of such Bible Colleges and Seminaries for course content, credit hour requirements, faculty qualifications, library services, and many of the requirements of governmentally approved accreditation.

So, whether recognized by governmental agencies or not, does not disqualify the fact that their are quality Bible Colleges and Seminaries that are not governmentally approved through governmentally approved accreditation. Therefore, It is not fair to say that a Bible College or Seminary that does not have regional accreditation, is not a good Bible College or Seminary. To make such a statement is just a matter of opinion and is not a fact at all. There are many pastors, ministers, evangelists, missionaries and Christian counselors, who have not graduated form a governmentally approved college of university. Yet, they have received exemplary education through a Bible College or Seminary that was not Regionally accredited or approved by the government. These same educationally qualified individuals have gone on to fulfill successful careers and have been a blessing to many worldwide. Non governmentally controlled Bible College and Seminary education began in the USA in the 1860's with Harvard then Princeton and many of the first colleges and universities that started in America. They all had their beginnings in teaching Bible centered, non governmentally regulated educational programs.

We Love Our Country.. We want to make it better through Bible centered educational and the return to Biblical principles and a Christian worldview which are the very principles that the United States of America was founded upon.  "In God We Trust"

It is important to be aware that even today, many Christian Private Schools, Bible Colleges and Seminaries hold fast to the original tradition and elect not to be governed by the U.S. Department of Education and do not seek Regional Accreditation, Choosing regional accreditation is most common among Secular Colleges and Universities. Because Christian Educational Ministries are automatically exempt from the dictates of both the Government and secular accreditation agencies, the majority of Christian Bible Colleges and Seminaries choose not to align with limitations of regional accreditation. Northwestern Theological Seminary, like most other Christian Education Ministries, has rejected regional accreditation in favor of private Bible course certification which is recognized and respected as an acceptable form of accreditation for those in pursuit of ministry related avocations.

Northwestern Theological Seminary is both a state authorized and theologically certified institution of higher theological learning. Most accredited colleges, accredited universities, certified seminaries and certified Bible colleges have their own criteria for recognition and acceptability of online educational credits. The individual should always address specific questions to selected institutions in determining their particular criteria concerning accreditation and acceptance of transfer credits. However, it is not true that regionally accredited schools will not accept a non- regionally accredited schools credits. This fallacy has been proven wrong many times. The only sure disqualification for non governmentally approved Bible Colleges and Seminaries is that they cannot accept federal student loans. But, NTS costs are already up to 98% less than private colleges and universities and up to 80% less than the total cost of attending public colleges and universities, so student loans are not an issue at Northwestern Theological Seminary.

The following quote is taken from the web site of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).  "There are accrediting organizations that may not be recognized but are not accreditation mills. For example, the accreditor may be seeking recognition, but the process is not complete. Or the accreditor does not meet the requirements of CHEA or USDE for reasons that do not relate to quality."

The following quote from the United States Department of Education. "It should be noted that some institutions have chosen not to participate in the federal student aid program and therefore do not have to be approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the Department. While these institutions do not appear on the Department's list, they may be legitimate schools.

This quote from the former executive director of the Association for Biblical Higher Education (an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education), stated as follows: "There are hundreds of Bible Colleges and Seminaries in the United States and Canada that are offering good solid theological training, yet they are not accredited. 

But, will a degree from Northwestern, be accepted by your Church or place of employment?
While there certainly are some situations when only a degree from a government approved school can qualify one for certain positions and privileges, for the most part, you are judged and accepted based on how you present yourself, not solely by the image represented by the school from which you graduated.  Example: Are you already in ministry?  If so, when was the last time a member of your church asked you if you had a degree at all, much less if it was from a regionally accredited university, college or seminary?

Ministry and education: Your ministry avocation is one of those areas where God’s will and plan is more important than anything else. In fact, for those already serving in ministry, a degree from a highly credible though governmentally unrecognized school may be the smartest choice. Especially when you can receive a quality online seminary education for a fraction of the expense associated with regionally accredited schools. We should not forget that, especially in the Christian tradition, academic freedom is considered a cornerstone of religious liberty.  Of course, so is academic responsibility!  Therefore, any program of study leading to a theological degree should be both Biblically sound, and academically honest. At NTS, you can be assured of such integrity with quality educational materials based soundly on Biblical principles.

However, if you are concerned whether your church or place of employment will accept you with a degree earned through a privately accredited school, that is not regionally accredited, then you should simply inquire concerning the same. Remember too, that even with degrees earned from regionally accredited schools, there could be restrictions on what kind of degree is recognized. Always inquire first, since in some cases, denominations and ministries may not accept degrees from secular schools, or schools not affiliated with a specific denomination or organization.

United States Government Approval

We are recognized by the Government of the United States of America, as a 501 ( c )(3) Religious Organization with all rights and privileges as provided by law.

State of Florida

State of Florida Department of Education

Northwestern Theological Seminary operates under authorization, as a degree granting institution through 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.

Theological Accreditation

International Association for Educational Accountability

www.ChristianEducationalAccountability.org

IACEA Approval:

Northwestern Theological Seminary is theologically accredited by The International Association for Christian Educational Accountability a Worldwide organization for Christian Theological accreditation with the goal of maintaining the highest educational standards for its' member institutions. IACEA accreditation standards are maintained through ongoing evaluation, compliance and accountability.
IACEA supports the Biblical principle of separation of Church and state; Mark.12:17; James. 4:4; II Corinthians. 6:14. Remaining consistent with Biblical standards and not liberal or secular positions, IACEA has chosen not to seek endorsement by either the EAES or COPA, CHEA etc. which are all governmentally influenced accrediting organizations. IACEA is a rapidly growing and respected network of over 500 schools on the cutting edge of  Christ centered, Biblical education. 

IACEA is an international membership association of over 500 Christian educational institutions. Members must pass a rigorous evaluation process, leading to theological accreditation for their educational programs in accord with Christian educational standards and institutional integrity through initial and ongoing evaluations. All IACEA  member institutions are enabled to demonstrate educational accountability to the Christian educational community. This accountability is demonstrated  through documented evidence of compliance with IACEA standards of structure, governance, material resources, policies, faculty and curriculum. Further information concerning our process of evaluation leading to Christian educational accreditation may be obtained by visiting IACEA at: www.ChristianEducationalAccountability.org  

Educational Affiliations

Northwestern Theological Seminary is a member is good standing with the following:

1. The Christian Educators Association International   C.E.A.I.

2. The International Association of  Christian Theologians    T.I.A.C.T.

3. The American Theological Library Association    A.T.L.A.

4. The Theology Journal  Editorial Committee    T.J.E.C.

5. International Fellowship of Christian Ministries    I.F.C.M

Northwestern Theological Seminary selected as Number ONE : (click below)

About Accreditation

Throughout U.S. history there has been and still exists, some degree of controversy over the subject of accreditation. The Government and the few regional/ secular accrediting agencies, which it has approved, do not recognize private accreditation of Bible centered, seminaries, colleges and universities. Nevertheless non governmentally recognized, private accrediting institutions have every legal right to grant certification as do government approved accreditors. And the schools that they approve have every right to claim recognition as do their secular/regional counterparts.

As stated earlier, it is not at all fair when they say a school is not accredited, or recognized, when in fact, it has a private, non-regional accreditation or certification. In some cases, the private approval requirements may, in fact be more educationally demanding, although fart less costly then the regional accreditation that is recognized by the government. We do not deny that there are poor quality schools and accreditors in abundance today. However, there also exists exceptional education in Biblical seminaries, colleges and universities which are privately approved and theologically certified.

Let's Review:

* There is secular education and there is religious education.
* Secular schools seek secular accreditation, and Christ centered schools may elect to receive theological or private certification, each by their own peers.                                                      * Religious institutions do not need secular accreditation because they offer no secular degrees.
* Secular accreditation associations in turn are recognized by governmental agencies. They trace their authority back up to the capitol of a country, for example; Washington, D.C. in the USA.
* Bible centered Christian associations are recognized by the Church of Jesus Christ, which has no supreme central office on earth. Our authority is derived from Heaven.
* Secular and religious interests are different and have separate realms of jurisdiction.
* The state is not superior to the Church. The Church need not wait for approval from the government/ secular world.
* Secular agencies should not be dictating the standards of Christian education, any more than a police officer should be directing the worship of God.
* Theological Seminaries should not be accredited by accrediting associations that are "recognized" by an agency of the federal government, because it is contrary to the Biblical principle of "Separation of Church and State", indicated by Christ when he said, "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's." Mark 12:7.
* What business does a Christian educator have, going to the secular world for recognition and acknowledgment. The Bible states in: II Cor. 6:14 says, "Be not equally yoked together with unbelievers: For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?"

Our ministries are recognized by the Government of the United States, as a 501 ( c ) (3) Religious Organization. At NTS, we are considerate of and obedient to all of the laws set by our government. Furthermore; as a Christ centered biblical education ministry, our ultimate authority is God and as such we choose to remain free in our rights to teach degree programs based on the word of God as found in the Holy Bible. However, Because of our legal position based on the U.S. Constitution, NO outside agency has any authority over our educational content regarding our right to teach Bible based educational programs leading to the award of appropriate certificates and degrees. 

And the authorities said, "We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching, in the name of this man Jesus, behold now you have filled all of Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend to bring the blood of Jesus upon us." But Peter and the Apostles answered and said, "We must serve God rather than men."    (Acts 5: 28-29)

"And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."   (2 Timothy 2:2)

Job Placement and community programs  

Concerning job placement and community programs, Northwestern Theological Seminary, like most online degree programs, does not offer community referral or placement services for employment. We are a worldwide online educational program through which it would be geographically and logistically too expensive to offer such programs. By eliminating major expenses, we are able to provide quality educational online Degree programs at a fraction of the expense when compared to other more extravagant, yet geographically limited, institutional education programs at traditional universities, colleges, seminaries and bible colleges.

Ministry Opportunities

Ask about ministry opportunities. Once qualified, we will arrange to ordain you for service as a minister of the Gospel and search our Worldwide ministry opportunities with Christian Alliance Ministries, following your graduation. 

Licensing and Advertising  

Any prospective student should understand that Northwestern Theological Seminary has no authority through their advanced online degree programs, to grant licenses. Ministry related vocations are not subject to governmental licensing. However if you are choosing a career path that requires  a government license you should address appropriate agencies governing licensing in your state or county of residence concerning requirements for licensing or professional certification. Such licensing is not provided by  theologically accredited seminaries and can only be granted by the appropriate government agency.  

Policies and statements are considered void where prohibited.

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