Accreditation

NCU University Accreditation

RECOGNITION OF YOUR DEGREE FROM  NORTHWESTERN CHRISTIAN

UNIVERSITY

Accreditation and Recognition of Credit

Concerning university accreditation; the value of any accredited or certified university, bible college or online university, college or seminary degree is subjective. In other words, it depending on the amount of work that went into earning it, the student’s attitude and aptitude, and external circumstances related to the school itself or to the graduate’s working world.

You should be aware that numerous Christian Universities, Private Schools, Bible Colleges and Seminaries elect not to be governed by the U.S. Department of Education and do not seek Regional Accreditation, which is more common among Secular Colleges and Universities. Christian Educational Ministries are automatically exempt from the dictates of both the Government and secular accreditation agencies. Northwestern Christian University, like other Christian Education Ministries, has full theological certification which is recognized and respected as an acceptable form of accreditation for those in pursuit of ministry related avocations.

Northwestern Christian University is both a state authorized and theologically certified institution of higher learning. Most accredited universities, accredited seminaries, accredited Bible colleges and accredited 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. 

Northwestern Christian University is an educational outreach ministry of Christian Alliance Ministries Worldwide. Our ministry, established in 1980,  has branch seminaries, evangelistic ministries and approximately  400,000 members in over 40 countries including: the United States, Latin America, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

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 earned at an 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 or nationally 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.

However, if you are concerned whether your church or place of employment will accept you with a degree earned through a theologically accredited school, that is not regionally or nationally accredited, you should simply ask!  Even with degrees earned from academically accredited schools, there could be restrictions on what kind of degree is recognized. Always ask, 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.

Since we are considerate of and obedient to all of the laws set by our government, 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 "God's Blue Print for Life" 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 ministry focused 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)

State of Florida

State of Florida Department of Education

Northwestern Christian University has filed to operate 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.

As a theologically certified university, we are not required, by the U.S. Dept. of Education or any other agency, to have regional accreditation nor are we subject to governmental or secular oversight. As such, our educational programs are not required to qualify our students for either governmental or secular certification. However, legally, our degrees are classified as theologically accredited and state authorized as exempt, which fully qualifies all degrees from Northwestern Christian University to be recorded professionally both on your resume and in personal employment records. You can be proud of the legitimacy of your Degrees from Northwestern Christian University.

Job Placement and Community Programs  

Concerning job placement and community programs, Northwestern Christian University, 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 and our Worldwide Church of Jesus Christ, following your graduation. 

Licensing 

Any prospective student should understand that Northwestern Christian University 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 normally provided by theologically certified universities, colleges and seminaries and can only be granted by the appropriate government agency.

More About Accreditation 

In the United States, accreditation or certification of universities and seminaries is a voluntary process with accreditation granted by private, non-governmental agencies. Governmental agencies never provide theological accreditation. 

Additionally, there is no national standard for educational accreditation, and the educational world is currently re-examining criteria for accreditation, focusing less on institutional inputs and more on educational outcomes. 

There is no such requirement as Federal or State accreditation of a religious institution, because the civil government has no authority to regulate religious teachings or which certificates or religious degrees upon completion of such education may be issued. This is a matter of separation of Church and State. Politicians and civil authorities must never be allowed to officially endorse or disapprove directly or indirectly the beliefs and practices of churches or their schools. A casual survey of Church history shows that such linkage with "Caesar" eventually leads to infringement upon conscience, bondage, and corruption. Therefore, to be accredited by any agency, which in turn is controlled by the U.S. Department of Education, would to some degree be a compromise of the separation principle and constitute a violation of the Church's sovereignty.

The United States Department of  Education

 DOES NOT Accredit any College, University,

 Seminary or any Education Program.  Here is a Quote

 from  the U.S. Department of  Education's Web Page: 

 http://www.ed.gov/about/overview

What The Department of Education Does Not Do

Under the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." Nothing specific is said about education in the Constitution; therefore it falls outside federal authority.

In creating the Department of Education, Congress made clear its intention that the secretary of education and other Department officials be prohibited from exercising "any direction, supervision, or control over the curriculum program of instruction, administration, or personnel of any educational institution, school, or school system." The establishment of schools and colleges, the development of curricula, the setting of requirements for enrollment and graduation -- these are responsibilities handled by the various states and communities, as well as by public and private organizations of all kinds, not by the U.S. Department of Education."

The Facts Concerning Regional Accreditation

Our board of advisors has chosen not to apply for regional accreditation for the following reasons:

Regional Accreditation is a "Voluntary Process" that is not required of religious institutions.

A Regionally Accredited Degree is required for Public School Teachers in all States and for Some State and Federal Employment Situations.  The vast majority (our opinion) of ministry related employers do not require that an minister or religious worker have a degree from a Regionally Accredited School.

In certain US states - North Dakota, Nevada, Texas, Washington, Maine and New Jersey - it is illegal to include religious-exempt degrees on resumes, letterheads, business cards, advertisements and announcements, while this is legal in other states.

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.

Individuals in today's world have sufficient information resources to evaluate programs, schools and universities without depending on the "opinions" of accrediting associations. 

REGIONAL ACCREDITING ASSOCIATIONS CAN NOT GUARANTEE the quality of a school, its programs or acceptability of the Degree by any other school or employer.

Regional Accrediting Associations can indirectly influence:

• Requirements of Regionally Accredited Schools to accept transfer students from other Regionally Accredited Schools and Regionally Accredited Schools are not required to accept transfer students from schools that are not Regionally Accredited

• Hiring practices

• Guidelines for faculty selection

• Presume to influence curriculum, such practices clearly interfere with Academic Freedom

Regional Accrediting Associations' policies have not kept up with technology for the modern trend of Web Based Distance Education.

"Celebrating 30 Years of Christian Service"

1980-2010

All Degree Programs are intended to Prepare Students for Ministry Avocations.

All Races and Nationalities are fully welcome at Northwestern Christian University.

Void where prohibited.