Accreditation

The College of Biblical Studies is a Private Not-for-Profit, 501(c)(3) institution that is recognized by a number of quality assurance agencies for granting degrees. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), through a Texas Supreme Court ruling regarding a special provision under sections 61.304 and 61.313(a) of the Texas Education Code, has granted CBS the authority to grant degrees under religious exemption because the institution’s degrees are entirely religious in nature.

CBS is nationally accredited with institutional membership status with Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Accredited status is the membership status granted to those colleges that meet their accreditor’s conditions for eligibility and that substantially achieve their respective missions and the criteria for accreditation. It further indicates a demonstrated commitment to ongoing institutional development. CBS believes firmly in the accreditation process to demonstrate excellence (Phil. 4:8-9) in everything it does to prepare students for their God-given calling in life and ministry.

The Indiana Code defines “postsecondary credit bearing proprietary educational institution” to mean a degree granting and credit bearing institution that provides instructional or educational services or training, whether onsite and/or online, and is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United State Department of Education. The definition does not include “a religious institution that offers educational instruction or an educational program of a clearly religious nature.” In the context of the Indiana Code 21-18.5-2-12, “clearly religious nature” means an educational instruction or an educational program that is undoubtedly related to the faithful devotion of an acknowledged deity or ultimate reality. In order to be exempt from the definition of a “postsecondary credit bearing proprietary educational institution”, an institution could meet two prongs. The institution must be a “religious institution” that offers educational instruction or an educational program of a “clearly religious nature.”

Association of Biblical Higher Education

College of Biblical Studies-Houston is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation (5850 T. G. Lee Blvd., Ste. 130, Orlando, FL 32822, 407.207.0808, www.abhe.org) to grant certificates and degrees at the Associate and Baccalaureate levels.

Southern association of Colleges and Schools COmmission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

College of Biblical Studies-Houston is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Questions about the accreditation of College of Biblical Studies-Houston may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

The national council for state authorization reciprocity Agreements

The College of Biblical Studies is an approved partner Institution with The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) which is a private non-profit organization that helps expand students’ access to postsecondary educational opportunities and ensure more efficient, consistent, and effective regulation of distance education programs.

How do I learn more about accreditation?

For a deeper understanding of the accreditation process in the United States, as well as the listing of all recognized accreditors, please visit the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) website.

Note: The curriculum supporting the Associate of Biblical Studies with a major in Biblical Studies degree program is primarily biblical and theological in nature. It is not to be confused or mistaken for an Associate of Liberal Arts degree as may be obtained from a traditional junior college or four-year college. The hours earned at the associate’s level at CBS will best transfer to schools and colleges that
espouse a biblical and theological curriculum.

For more information about transferring credits, please
refer to the Transfer of Credit Policies

• Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
• Association for Biblical Higher Education
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
• U.S. Department of Education
• CHEA