GREENVILLE, S.C., (Dec. 5, 2011) . . . At its regularly scheduled meeting Dec. 2, 2011, the Bob Jones University Board of Trustees unanimously granted approval for the University to pursue the process of applying for regional accreditation. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is the regional accrediting association for colleges in South Carolina as well as ten other southeastern states.
According to SACSCOC, revisions to its Principles of Accreditation in 2001 “introduced significant changes in its approach to accreditation.” Student learning and quality of instruction within the framework of an institution’s mission, goals, and ability to assess and plan became the focus of accreditation. Moreover, the most recent Reaffirmation of the Higher Education Act in 2008 calls on accreditors to “consistently apply and enforce standards that respect the stated mission of the institution, including religious mission.”
BJU believes these recent changes significantly address past concerns we’ve held about regional accreditation. Accreditation that allows us to pursue our mission with integrity and biblical fidelity, enables us to continue to improve our operations and quality, and provides value to those we serve is worth serious consideration.
The decision by the Board of Trustees marks the beginning of a multi-year process to continue investigating the application process and, as appropriate, preparing an application for membership with SACSCOC.
Currently, Bob Jones University is a member of the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS), and we appreciate the value that our TRACS accreditation provides for the University and our graduates.
TRACS and about a dozen other agencies including the regional associations are recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) as institutional accrediting associations. In addition to these institutional accreditors, USDE recognizes about 50 national accreditors that offer specialized or programmatic accreditation.