Accreditation

Accreditation is a key issue for students and their families as they begin to consider different colleges.

What Is Accreditation?
Accreditation essentially means approval. When an organization accredits a college, it affirms that it has examined the college based on established standards of excellence and found that the college meets those standards. Accreditation confirms that the college offers credible degrees.

Different Kinds of Accreditation
Two kinds of accreditation are available to colleges today:regional accreditation and national accreditation.

Regional accreditation is offered by one of the six accrediting agencies in the United States, based on a school's location. This form of accreditation is the highest an institution can receive and the most universally recognized standard of excellence. The major colleges and universities across America have regional accreditation.

National accreditation is designed to approve schools that may be more specialized in nature. A national accrediting agency applies different standards in its evaluation, depending on the type of school being examined. Many Bible colleges have sought national accreditation.

Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary has both regional and national accreditation. In fact, Faith is one of only a few Bible colleges achieving both kinds of accreditation. We are accredited regionally by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (ncahlc.org) and nationally by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (abhe.org).

Why Have Accreditation?
What does Faith's dual accreditation mean to students?
• Recognized Degree
This dual accreditation means that a Faith degree is a recognized degree by both the secular and religious standards. A Faith degree measures up to a degree from the University of Iowa or any other major school. A Faith degree also is an approved degree in terms of a Bible education. So at Faith you can be sure you are receiving a quality education in every way leading to a recognized degree.

• Financial Aid
Faith's accreditation means students qualify for financial aid to assist them in financing their education. In these days of rising college costs, being eligible for financial aid is essential.

• Transfer Credits
Many students who come to Faith want to transfer to another school to complete their education or enter a graduate program at a university. Faith's regional accreditation makes it possible for a student to transfer Faith credits to another school or to be eligible for a graduate degree without taking additional work. In every way Faith's accreditation benefits students.

As you consider colleges, check out their accreditation. A college with only a national accreditation usually cannot offer you all the benefits of regional accreditation. Having both types of accreditation, as Faith does, gives students the best of both worlds.

Academic Resources

Faith is committed to helping all students academically and offers the following resources to help students achieve academic success.

Accommodations
Faith makes provisions to accommodate any student who has documented physical or academic needs. If the accommodations are physical or medical in nature, the student should contact Mrs. Kim Nihart, the director of health services. If the accommodations are academic in nature, the student should contact Mr. David Horner, the director of accommodations services. In addition to the help a professor can give a student in a course, Faith also provides additional services as described below.  

Classroom Technology
The classrooms at Faith are equipped with up-to-date technology to assist in student learning. Several of the classrooms have wireless tablet technology, interactive whiteboard technology, and document cameras for enhanced learning

Computer Lab
The computer lab, located on the upper level of Gray Hall, has 23 computers and is open every day of the week.

Faculty Advisor
Every student has a faculty advisor who helps him or her in the selection of a program, registering for courses, and in achieving quality academic work.

Library
The Faith Library contains more than 73,000 holdings (books, periodicals, and electronic publications) to assist students in their academic success. The Library has 16 public computer workstations with internet access. Students may also secure research materials through inter-library loan.

Music Software
The Music Department utilizes Sibelius, Finale, and Modulator programs to assist students in developing their musical skills.

Study Skills Workshop
Faith provides a study skills workshop at the beginning of each semester to assist students in time management, content reading, note taking, test taking, memory retention, and composition.

Writing Center
Faith emphasizes the importance of excellence in written communications. To assist students in achieving excellence in writing, we provide a Writing Center to assist students in their written communications. Some professors ask students to take their papers to the Writing Center, but all students are encouraged to use the Writing Center for any paper. The Writing Center is located on the upper level of the Library, and hours of operation are posted each semester.

Tutoring
Faculty or peer tutoring is available by request for students who want additional help in completing assignments or taking tests.

Writing Improvement Program
To assist students further in their writing, Faith initiated the Writing Improvement Program. This program assesses students at different points in their freshman and sophomore years and provides additional writing instruction for those who may need it.