ACCREDITATION
Grace Bible Theological Seminary is an Affiliate institution of the Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries (ARTS). As such, it participates in and contributes to collegial and professional development activities of the Association, and is committed to the quality of education ARTS promotes. Affiliate status does not, however, constitute, imply, or presume ARTS Commission on Accreditation accredited status at present or in the future. GBTS has submitted an application for formal accreditation through ARTS and is currently in the process of doing a self-study as a required component of the formal evaluation process.
The following benefits of affiliation are taken from the ARTS Affiliate Program Description.
1. Affiliates are encouraged to participate in the collegiality, fellowship and accountability structure of ARTS.
2. Affiliates are allowed and encouraged to attend, as non-voting members, all ARTS meetings, and participate in ARTS committees.
3. Affiliates are allowed to develop academic relationships with any and all ARTS members. The Executive Director for ARTS-COA will help structure these academic relationships with other ARTS member schools.
4. Affiliates desiring to become full ARTS members can seek assistance from the Executive Director for ARTS-COA on how to proceed in progressing to full ARTS membership.
Why We are Seeking Accreditation
The Danger of Non-Accreditation: Some unaccredited institutions may provide quality instruction, rigorous academic coursework, and legitimate degrees. Nevertheless, many institutions that do not possess formal accreditation status often become "diploma mills." A "diploma mill" is a school that does not require substantiated academic work commensurate with the degree(s) that it purports to offer. Student fees are charged by the school and paid by the student, but either: (a) student work is not required; or (b) the amount of work completed by a student is falsified; or (c) student work is not properly vetted and evaluated (i.e., the "everyone gets an 'A'" approach). Programs that err in any of these areas fall woefully short of the rigorous test required for those aspiring to pastoral ministry (1 Tim 3:1–7).
Grace Bible Theological Seminary has received a Letter of Exemption from Certification issued by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education to offer church-related programs/courses and grant church-related degrees.
The corporation shall not discriminate against applicants, employees, students, volunteers, and others on the basis of race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin; however, as a religious institution, the corporation reserves the right to deny or terminate employment or to deny or terminate any other status of persons whose lifestyle, words, actions or otherwise do not align with the corporation’s Statement of Faith, standard of conduct, or other policies of this organization.