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Initial Exam
ACCREDITATION DEFINED AND THE NCU ACCREDITATION
Accreditation in the
United States is a process whereby educational institutions are
qualified relative to the acceptance of credits and degrees in
academia. State governmental educational systems do not, in
themselves, accredit individual private schools. There are various
organizations in the United States, with widely diversified program
requirements and differing regulatory standards, which become
accrediting agencies for private schools.
The regional accrediting agencies that are recognized by the United
States Department of Education consist of private corporations that
grant accreditation within certain geographical areas of the United
States. There are excellent educational institutions that have
chosen to become regionally accredited with them, but others, which
are also excellent educational institutions, have chosen to become
members of non-regional independent accrediting organizations.
Sometimes erroneously referred to as Governmental accreditation,
Regional accreditation is granted by six private corporations, known
as agencies. Each agency is responsible for and provides
accreditation for universities in a separate area of the country.
Religious Institutions that seek regional accreditation must submit
themselves to the same standards as non-religious schools and must
abide by the restrictions imposed by the accrediting agency in order
to maintain accreditation. This would include the addition of
mandatory non-religious courses, faculty hiring process, and other
policies which the agency deems necessary and applies to all of
their institutions.
The reason that this type of
accreditation is sometimes referred to as governmental accreditation
is because schools recognized by these six agencies are recognized
by the federal government and are eligible to receive government
funds. Students of these institutions are also eligible for federal
student loans and grants. Conversely, students who do not attend a
regionally accredited school are not eligible for government funds.
Many excellent schools are regionally accredited and 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 governmentally approved schools.
Because the purpose of accreditation is to provide a way for
educational facilities to determine the acceptance of credits and
degrees, and because all accreditation is purely voluntary, many
institutions that choose not to conform to governmental
restrictions, but do wish to provide high quality education, choose
some form of independent accreditation.
Northwestern Christian University has chosen to become accredited by
a non-regional independent accrediting organization that allows an
academic education without compromising Christianity. Under the
certification of non-regional independent accreditation
organizations, some universities, seminaries, and ecclesiastical
institutions have had their credits and degrees accepted by
regionally accredited educational institutions, based on their
scholarly criterion of education.
Northwestern Christian University is an educational institution that
has declined seeking regional accreditation based on a calling to
teach the whole Word of God without interference from an outside
agency. We will not compromise the Biblical message and therefore do
not seek the approval of government-recognized accreditation, which
will govern the curriculums that are offered and their structure.
However, we do want to provide our students with exceptional study
opportunities, course material and the freedom to transfer credit.
For this reason, NCU has not only received State Authorization to
award religious degrees, but has sought and qualified for
accreditation with the American Accrediting Association of
Theological Institutions (AAATI), in Rocky Mount, North Carolina,
and is also certified by the Apostolic Council for Educational
Accountability (ACEA) (www.acea-schools.org). Both AAATI and ACEA
provide evaluation and accountability without distorting the purpose
and vision of Northwestern Christian University.
Northwestern Christian University has committed its academic
capabilities to provide the highest educational standards for its
theological degrees.
The Board of Northwestern Christian University has decided that
it will not seek American Regional Accreditation from any of the Big
Six Regional Accrediting Associations for the following reasons:
• Regional Accreditation is a "Voluntary Process" that is not
required of Religious Schools. We opt to fulfill the State Approval
only, with regards to non-religious interference from outside
agencies.
• Ministers and Religious workers do not need a degree from a
Regionally Accredited School unless Regional Accreditation of the
School is required by their Church Board or as a Requirement of
Ordination by the particular Religious Denomination.
• Regional Accreditation require that secular classes be added to
the curriculum of a religious institution, which can cause the
tuition cost to be so high as to exclude International students who
may not be able to afford the high costs.
• Attempt to dictate hiring practices and attempt to influence
guidelines for faculty selection, requiring only those that have
obtained their degrees from a Regionally Accredited School be
accepted in the staff.
• Regional Accreditation dictates curriculum and interferes with
Academic Freedom in regards to Christ centered education.
• Demand a Standing Library that is not practical or necessary for
our University. We do however offer an Online Library for the use of
our students.
• As a Christian Theological Institution, Northwestern Christian
University does not wish to give any group power over its
Curriculum, or other Policies.
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