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NCU University
Accreditation
"Celebrating
30 Years of Christian Service"
1980-2010
RECOGNITION
OF YOUR DEGREE FROM
NORTHWESTERN
CHRISTIAN
UNIVERSITY
Northwestern
Christian University offers the most time efficient and affordable way
ever to receive your quality, theologically accredited, Bachelor, Master's
and Doctorate Degrees. There is NO preset Tuition... Our students simply make a
Love Offer which SAVES you up to 98% when *compared to traditional
Degree programs. *See Application Page.
Northwestern
Christian University is primarily a graduate school. However, Bachelor Degrees
are still awarded, often as part of
a combination Bachelor and Masters Degree Program. Some credits (legally up to
25%) may be
assessed toward your Bachelor Degree, based on prior ministry and
educational experience as well as evaluation examinations, to determine
your current competency in Bible centered knowledge..
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 Theological Seminary, 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.
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.
State
of Arizona
State
of Arizona Department of Education
Northwestern
Christian University and Northwestern Theological Seminary both operate as
religion based degree granting institutions, as such the State of
Arizona has no jurisdiction over such religious programs.
.Reference the Arizona State Board of Private and Post Secondary
Education under A.R.S.32-3022 (E). The state of Arizona, like other
states, does not require accreditation or
theological accreditation for our religious education as they have no
jurisdiction.
Theological Accreditation
NCU is a
Theologically Accredited Christian University
International
Association for Educational Accountability
www.ChristianEducationalAccountability.org

IACEA
Approval:
Northwestern Christian University is theologically
accredited by The International Association for Christian Educational
Accountability a Worldwide
organization for Christian Theological accreditation with the goal of maintaining
the highest educational standards for its' member institutions. IACEA
accreditation standards are maintained through ongoing evaluation,
compliance and accountability.
IACEA supports the Biblical principle of separation
of Church and state; Mark.12:17; James. 4:4; II Corinthians. 6:14.
Remaining consistent with Biblical standards and not liberal or secular
positions, IACEA has chosen
not to seek endorsement by either the EAES or COPA, CHEA etc. which are
all governmentally influenced accrediting organizations. IACEA is a rapidly
growing and respected network of over 500 schools on the cutting edge of Christ
centered, Biblical education.
IACEA is an international membership association of over 500
Christian educational institutions. Members must pass a rigorous
evaluation process,
leading to theological accreditation for their educational
programs in accord with Christian educational standards and
institutional integrity through initial and ongoing evaluations.
All IACEA member institutions are enabled to demonstrate
educational accountability to the Christian educational
community. This accountability is demonstrated through
documented evidence of compliance with IACEA standards of
structure, governance, material resources, policies, faculty and
curriculum. Further information concerning our process of
evaluation leading to Christian educational accreditation may be
obtained by visiting IACEA at:
www.ChristianEducationalAccountability.org
We are a
Theologically Accredited University
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.
Our ministries are recognized by the Government of the United States, as
a 501 ( c ) (3) Religious Organization. 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)
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.
[Source: Dr. Paul Richardson]
The
Apostle Paul said, "I
am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation
for everyone that believes." (Romans 1:16a)
All Degree Programs are intended to
Prepare Students for Ministry related Avocations.
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/focus/what_pg5.html#doesnot
NOT
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:
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:
o
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
o
Hiring
practices
o
Guidelines for faculty selection
o
Presume to influence
curriculum
o
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
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.
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