Why doesn IBC pursue accreditation through a secular liberal arts accrediting agency?
It is true that secular liberal arts accrediting agencies such as the American Academy for Liberal Education (AALE) do not require adherence to a Trinitarian statement of faith. Because of this, IBC and other of our Bible colleges have seriously considered pursuing accreditation through the AALE. Recently, however, the viability of the AALE has been called into question. According to the June 8, 2007 issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education, the U.S. Department of Education has revoked the accreditation authority of the AALE. “The decision bars the academy from accrediting any new institutions or programs, effective July 10.” (Basken, Vol. 53(40) p. A22).The viability of the AALE aside, IBC is not convinced that seeking accreditation through a secular liberal arts accrediting agency is the best means of furthering its mission of training for Apostolic ministry. First, the process of secular accreditation requires meeting certain secular-based educational standards that would limit th
