Accrediting Commission International
| Formation | 1989 |
|---|---|
| Type | Unrecognized higher education accreditor |
| Location | |
President | John F. Scheel[1] |
| Website | www.accreditnow.com |
Accrediting Commission International (ACI), also known as Accrediting Commission International for Schools, Colleges, and Theological Seminaries, possibly associated with International Accrediting Commission (IAC), also known as International Accrediting Commission for Schools, Colleges and Theological Seminaries,[2][3] is an unrecognized educational accreditation corporation in the United States.[4] It primarily accredits religious schools, including seminaries and Bible colleges, and also offers accreditation to non-U.S. schools that offer business education programs.[4] John F. Scheel is president.[1]
History
ACI was established in 1989 and originally located in Beebe, Arkansas.[2][5] In 2011 it announced its relocation to Sarasota, Florida.[6]
In 2007, the St. Petersburg Times quoted Alan Contreras, the leader of Oregon's Office of Degree Authorization (an organization that follows questionable accrediting agencies) as saying, "Anything accredited by ACI in Beebe, Ark., is either fake or substandard, as far as I know."[7]
Recognition
ACI is not recognized by either Council for Higher Education Accreditation or United States Department of Education, the two institutions responsible for recognizing educational accrediting institutions in the United States.[2][8] According to its website, ACI had not applied for USDE affiliation as of 2007 because most of its members' views regarding separation of church and state.[4]
The Oregon Office of Degree Authorization includes ACI in its list of unrecognized accreditation agencies stating that, "any so-called 'accreditation' by these bodies is meaningless in Oregon and in some other states."[9]
Schools accredited by ACI
In 2009 ACI reported having accredited 310 schools.[1]
Some organizations accredited by ACI include Berean Bible College,[10] Cornerstone University (Louisiana),[11] International Miracle Institute,[12] International Seminary (Plymouth, Florida),[13] Washington International University,[14] Wisconsin International University,[15] Central Bible College International and Trinity Valley Baptist Seminary and College in Kennedale, Texas.[16]
See also
- Accreditation mill
- Diploma mill
- List of unaccredited institutions of higher learning
- List of unrecognized accreditation associations of higher learning
References
- ^ a b c "Home; About Us". Accrediting Commission International. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c John Bear, Great Moments in Accreditation: The Case of IAC, ACI, and The Three Stooges, Quackwatch.com, accessed January 8, 2012
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
BaptistPresswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c "Other Benefits and Steps Toward ACI Certification". Accrediting Commission International. 2007-09-28. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
- ^ Accrediting Commission International Answers to Critics, Accrediting Commission International website, accessed January 8, 2012
- ^ Accrediting Commission International website home page, accessed January 8, 2012
- ^ "Degree inspires little faith". St. Petersburg Times. 2007-10-27. Archived from the original on 2007-12-25. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
{{cite news}}:|archive-date=/|archive-url=timestamp mismatch; 2007-12-18 suggested (help) - ^ "Accrediting Agencies Not Recognized Under GAAP". Degree.net. 2008. Archived from the original on 8 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ “Accrediting” entities not recognized by the State of Oregon, Oregon Office of Degree Authorization, Oregon state government
- ^ Berean Bible College's Accreditation, Berean Bible College, accessed April 12, 2012
- ^ About Cornerstone, Cornerstone University website, accessed January 8, 2012
- ^ Degrees and Accreditation, International Miracle Institute, accessed January 8, 2012
- ^ http://www.internationalseminary.com/Accreditation.html
- ^ "Welcome to WIU". Washington International University. 1999. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
- ^ Lee, Jeff (2006-10-09). "College Linked to 'Worthless' American Degrees". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2009-03-23. [dead link]
- ^ "Trinity Valley Baptist Seminary, and College accreditation". tvsbc.org. Retrieved July 21, 2009.