Secular Colleges and some Christian / religious colleges and seminaries fall into this category. This type of accreditation is great for some schools. If I were seeking a medical or engineering school I would want it to be accredited in this fashion. This type accreditation for Christian / religious colleges and seminaries is not the same. This type of accrediting agency frowns on the strict teaching of creationism over evolution and they make absolutely no evaluation on the orthodoxy of the religious instruction. Some of the most liberal theological seminaries, schools that deny the inerrancy of the Bible, the Deity of Jesus Christ and His resurrection, even Hindu, Moslem schools are accredited with this type of accreditation. There are, however, many good Christian colleges with this type accreditation. It is extremely difficult for a totally "external studies" school to get this type recognition. The Distance Education and Training Counsel, however, is one recognized agency that accredits external studies programs.

Many Christian colleges and theological seminaries have chosen to go this route. As we stated above, this is a third party review of the college or university. It is an opinion and based on the peer review of self-established standards of a non-governmental agency. There are many types of non-recognized accrediting agencies. Some are very good and have high standards while others are worthless. One very good non-recognized accrediting agency is the "American Federation of Colleges and Seminaries (AMFED)." They have an excellent review process. There are many excellent Bible colleges and seminaries accredited with them. You should remember, however, that there is a cost associated with this type of accreditation also, and those cost are passed on to the students in higher tuition and fees.

There are many excellent Bible colleges and seminaries that have chosen this route. Among them are, Bob Jones University, Pensacola Christian College, Northland Baptist Bible College, and Atlanta Baptist College. Their belief in the separation of Church and State, State regulation of Christian ministries, along with other reasons have led them to this choice.

At the present time, Trinity Baptist Seminary is a non-accredited institution. We inquired into accreditation with both recognized and non-recognized accrediting agencies. The costs associated with this process is prohibitive. We simply could not pass that type of tuition increase along to our students.

That does not mean that no one recognizes Trinity. Our credits transfer to a number of other colleges and seminaries. In fact, one of our students wanted to transfer to Atlanta Christian College, which is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, a recognized accrediting agency. I contacted them about the transferability of our credits and they said, "the student would be enrolled on a probationary basis for one semester and if a C+ average was maintained they would accept Trinity's credits for courses that were the same or similar to what was offered at their school."

Trinity Baptist Seminary's Bible courses are recognized and approved by the "Association of Christian Schools International". Our Bible course credits are accepted as part of the educational requirements for the certification of Christian school teachers.

Some of our graduates have taught at Immanuel Baptist College, Atlanta Baptist College, Carver Bible College, Gwinnett Hall Baptist College, along with other Bible Colleges and institutes at home and abroad. Most of our graduates, however, are pastors, missionaries, or work in mission agencies.

I have been in the ministry twenty eight years. During that time I have led over 600 people to the Lord in jails. I have counseled and witnessed to people on their death bed, in hospitals, after they have tried to commit suicide, during marital problems and divorce, or the loss of a loved one. I have never, in twenty eight years, had one of them look at me while I was ministering to them and ask, "did you graduate from an accredited school?"

I encourage everyone before they enroll in one of Trinity's degree programs to know why they want the degree and what they expect having the degree will do for them.

If you want to teach at a particular institution, please contact them for their academic requirements.

Many people believe a degree must be recognized by the US Department of Education. The US Department of Education does not, and has never had a responsibility to recognize college or university degrees. There are Regional, National and Professional accrediting agencies, which are non-governmental, peer review, third party organizations that the US Department of Education recognizes for the purpose of Title VI federal tuition loans. This has nothing to do with making the college or university legitimate.

Many people have been led to believe that to have a legitimate college or university degree, it must be accredited. The average person and some professionals have no idea what accreditation is, they just have heard, believe or have been told throughout the years that accreditation equals a legitimate degree. This is not true! In fact it takes four years for a college to become accredited, making it legally impossible to disallow unaccredited schools.

Many people believe that A state licensed college or university is not legitimate without accreditation, but this not true. Many colleges and universities throughout the US receive state license or authority to grant degrees. Some are exempt from licensing based on offering only religious degrees. Others decide that the regional, national or professional accreditation (peer review from a non-governmental agency) is not needed.

Many people believe that tuition at an accredited college or university is no higher than a non-accredited institution. There are many factors that enter into a school's tuition and fee structure, but you should be aware that fees paid for regional, national or professional accreditation can range from as little as $4,000.00 to as much as $100,000 a year. Who do you think pays for that great privilege of having a degree from an accredited college or university? You do! The cost of being accredited is hidden in your tuition fees.

Many people believe that if my college or university belongs to several professional organizations, it makes my degree legitimate. That's not true. Any college or university can join professional and educational organizations simply by paying the necessary membership fees. It has absolutely nothing to do with legitimizing your degree.

Many people believe that any accreditation not recognized by the US Department of Education is useless. That's not true. Any third party review of a college or university is a good thing. But just remember, it is an opinion and based on the peer review of self-established standards of a non-governmental agency. It should not be confused with making that college or university legitimate. Reputation speaks volumes for the quality of a college or university.

Many people believe that State Professional Licensing Boards and Professional Registrations Will Only Accept Regionally Accredited Degrees. In many states this is true, however, there are exemptions from this requirement in some cases. It depends on the type of professional licensing or registration you are seeking. Contact your state licensing board to get their exact requirements.