What is accreditation?

There are three categories of accrediting agencies: regional, national, and specialized.

Regional
Regional accreditation provides transferability and credibility between undergraduate and graduate schools, both Christian and secular. Regional accreditation does not dictate how or what an institution teaches but verifies that the institution is meeting specific standards and its stated mission. ABC has been regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 2000.

National
There are a variety of national accrediting bodies that evaluate and confirm how an institution is fulfilling its mission and goals related to a special purpose. ABC has been nationally accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) since 1967. ABHE confirms that ABC is achieving with excellence its purpose of “educating and equipping servants” for the local church.

Specialized
There are a variety of specialized accrediting bodies that evaluate and confirm how an institution is fulfilling its mission and goals in a specialized field or program like medicine, law, or teaching. The Elementary Education Department at ABC has "Approved Program" status with the West Virginia Department of Education.

What does ABC's accreditation mean for you?

  1. You can enroll at ABC with confidence in the quality of your education, as well as the credibility and transferability of your credits at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels of education.
  2. You can attend ABC and increase your financial assistance by applying for federal and state aid. Accreditation entitles students to take advantage of these opportunities.
  3. You can graduate from ABC assured employers will acknowledge your degree in both the national and international community. In addition, a regionally accredited degree will assist you when obtaining a visa to serve in a foreign country.
  4. ABC’s national accreditation with ABHE guarantees excellence and balance of training in Bible, the development of Christian character, and training in practical Christian service. You can be confident that ABC provides one of the finest Bible college educations available anywhere.

ABC is accredited by:

  • The Association for Biblical Higher Education
    ABHE is a national accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

    Association for Biblical Higher Education
    5850 T.G. Lee Blvd., Ste. 130
    Orlando, FL 32822-1781
    407.207.0840 (fax)
    http://www.abhe.org/
  • The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and School
    The HLC is a regional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

    North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
    230 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
    Chicago, IL 60602-2504
    312.263.7462 (fax)
    http://www.hlcommission.org
  • West Virginia Department of Education
    The WVDE is a specialized body that has given ABC's Elementary Education Department "Approved Program" status for the K-6 level.

    West Virginia Department of Education
    1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
    Charleston, WV 25305
    http://wvde.state.wv.us

Additional Information

Appalachian Bible College has "Approved Program" status with:

  • The West Virginia Department of Education to grant State Certification at the K-6 level to eligible graduates.

Appalachian Bible College is recognized by:

  • The Selective Service System
  • Approved by the office of Veterans' Education of the West Virginia State Department of Education for training under the Veterans' program
  • Authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students
  • The West Virginia Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for the education of those receiving rehabilitation assistance

See the beauty of God's creation in southern West Virginia

Toggle background image switcher