American Accrediting Association of Theological Institutions

American Accrediting Association of Theological Institutions (AAATI) is a Christian nonprofit organization based in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.[1] It was founded by Cecil Johnson, president of Christian Bible College, a distance education Bible college based in Rocky Mount North Carolina.

Not to be confused with the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, the primary accreditation agency for North American seminaries.
American Accrediting Association of Theological Institutions
Formation1983
TypeUnrecognized higher education accreditor
Location

Many institutions hold accreditation through various accrediting associations to appeal to a broader set of students. While seeking to provide a semblance of accountability for religious training institutions, AAATI is not recognized as an accreditor by either the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.[2]

History

AAATI was started in 1983.[3] It is operated by Cecil Johnson, president of Christian Bible College, a distance education Bible college based in Rocky Mount that Steve Levicoff identifies as a diploma mill.[4] In 1993, Levicoff wrote that AAATI gave accreditation for a $100 fee with no educational requirements (a $75.00 a renewal fee each year), and described it as a meaningless accreditation because it was not recognized by the Federal Government.[4]

Accreditation program

Therapon University, one of the schools with AAATI accreditation, describes accreditation by AAATI as "religious accreditation, rather than secular". Therapon states that AAATI "monitors educational and religious standards for Bible colleges", providing accreditation that is "accepted by many religious organizations" but may not be accepted by employers or other educational institutions because AAATI lacks U.S. Department of Education recognition.[5]

Christian Bible College

Like many secular schools are now offering, some of the AAATI accredited schools offer a limited amount of "life experience" credit toward degrees.

Alumni of Christian Bible College, one of the AAATI accredited schools include Chuck Baldwin, founder and former pastor of Crossroad Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida, and the Constitution Party's nominee for president in 2008 and vice president in 2004.[6]

Affiliated institutions

Institutions that have claimed membership in, or accreditation from, the AAATI include:

See also

References
  1. Statement of Faith, Christian Bible College website (accessed October 21, 2007)
  2. Council for Higher Education Accreditation
  3. "American Accrediting Association of Theological Institutions, Inc". Better Business Bureau. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  4. Steve Levicoff. Name It and Frame It?. (3rd edition) Institute on Religion and Law. 1993 (page 34-35) ASIN B0006F1PCQ
  5. "Therapon University Accreditation". Therapon University. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  6. "Dr. Chuck Baldwin: A Biographical Sketch". Constitution Party of Texas. Archived from the original on July 25, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-20.
  7. Accreditation Archived 2007-09-15 at the Wayback Machine, Alpha Omega Bible College & Seminary website (accessed October 21, 2007)
  8. Accreditation and Membership Particulars, International Institute of Church Management website (accessed October 21, 2007)
  9. Liberty Bible College and Seminary Accreditation page Archived 2009-07-19 at the Wayback Machine (accessed May 1, 2009)
  10. Biblical Life College & Seminary webpage Archived 2007-10-14 at the Wayback Machine (accessed October 21, 2007)
  11. Pacific International website states that its "memberships do NOT constitute accreditation by the U.S. Office of Education.""Credentials and recognition". Pacific International University. January 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-05-04. Retrieved 2007-10-21.
  12. "Patriot Bible University-Admissions". Patriot Bible University. 2007-10-27. Archived from the original on 2007-05-09. Retrieved 2010-07-06.
  13. Slidell Baptist Seminary Archived 2012-02-25 at the Wayback Machine, accessed Jan 29, 2012
  14. "Shalom Bible College & Seminary" (website). Retrieved March 19, 2013. Shalom Bible College & Seminary is: Accredited and in good standing with the "American Accrediting Association of Theological Institutions".
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