What does accreditation mean? Overall, accreditation is a process that gives public recognition to institutions that meet certain standards. It is a promise that an institution or ministry will provide the quality of education or ministry it claims to offer. Accreditation assures the public that the institution or ministry operates on a sound basis, has an approved program, qualified personnel, adequate facilities or equipment, approved recruitment and ministry policies, and advertises its services truthfully. _______________________________________________       THE ACCREDITING AND PROMOTION OF CHURCH SPONSORED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS [Instituted on the first day of July 1997 A.D., ratified on December 12, 2000] As it is our purpose to achieve the best goals possible in securing solid, honest and true religious education of church sponsored institutions, we hereby wish to outline our objectives and guidelines for accrediting such church schools and programs: - The development of universal cooperation in the field of higher religious education and research, and the intensifying of exchanges between its member institutions; - The promotion and development of ties of solidarity and friendship between church sponsored institutions accredited by UAC; - The provision of technical services to our members and to religious organizations, as well as the creation of instruments of information and documentation concerning religious education throughout the world; - The provision of better cooperation and mutual understanding between these educational institutions by more specific identifi-cation of mutual needs, available resources and the potential for jurisdictional support; - The study of concerns or problems of common interest to these schools and institutions being in various locations; - The promotion and organization of symposia, retreats and workshops consistent with the foregoing objectives; - To build, throughout these activities, a strong church sponsored support service and a community able to promote mutual under-standing among people of different ethnic or religious backgrounds, and thus to serve the cause of true love and peace among us all; - To promote general activities, including advertising and publicizing of our member institutions, on a national as well universal level; - To create and maintain a climate within which member institution may better train their students or clients in the knowledge and skills required in the educational, spiritual or pastoral field; - The collection of statistical or other such information, and the dissemination of it to our member organizations or other entities as well as the general public; - The promotion of higher educational standards in the religious field and the promotion of higher professional goals along with the development of a code of ethics for membership in our accredited institutions and programs; - The promotion of recognition for member institutions by educational authorities by other organizations; - The transfer of credits, training achievements and employment referrals from one to another member institution. We are always pleased to assist those who have achieved great accomplishments in their personal lives as well as in their professional career. Those who operate a school, a ministry or pastoral institute are welcome to explore the possibility of recognition through a church sponsored accrediting commission, the UNIVERSAL ACCREDITING COMMISSION (UAC).       THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE There is secular education and there is religious education. Secular schools seek secular education, and sacred schools receive sacred accreditation by their own churches and/or other religious Accreditation Agencies. Religious institutions need no secular accreditation because they do not offer secular degrees since secular and religious interests are different and have separate realms of jurisdiction. Secular accreditation agencies in turn are recognized by governmental agencies. They trace their authority back to the capitol of a country, like Washington, D.C. Religious accrediting agencies are recognized by various religions and Christian jurisdictions which have no supreme central office here on earth, as their authority is founded on spiritual grounds. The State or any civil government is not superior to the Church. The Church does not need approval from the secular world. Civil authorities should not be dictating standards of Christian education, in much the same way as a police officer would not be directing the worship of God. Theological Seminaries should not be accredited by accrediting associations that are "recognized" by an agency of the federal government, because it is contrary to the principle of "Separation of Church and State", indicated by Christ when He said, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Mark 12:17). A Christian educational institution securing accreditation from an association which is controlled by a governmental agency is an unholy union as St. James 4:4 says, "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?" THE SPIRITUAL ASPECT OF ACCREDITATION Over the years the word accreditation, as used by those involved in higher education has acquired various interpretations, but basically it indicates that some outside body of educators have examined a school and found it to be doctrinally, academically, and financially reliable, and has certified that it meets their ethical standards. The purpose is to simply assure the public that the school is a reputable establishment. There is no such requirement as Federal or State accreditation of a religious institution, because the civil government has no authority to regulate religious teachings or which certificates or religious degrees upon completion of such education may be issued. This is a matter of separation of Church and State. Politicians and civil authorities must never be allowed to officially endorse or disapprove directly or indirectly the beliefs and practices of churches or their schools. A casual survey of Church history shows that such linkage with "Caesar" eventually leads to infringement upon conscience, bondage, and corruption. Therefore, to be accredited by any agency, which in turn is controlled by the U.S. Department of Education, would to some degree be a compromise of the separation principle and constitute a violation of the Church's sovereignty. [Source: Dr. Paul Richardson] Government Report on the value of non-traditional Degrees   International Code of Ethics for Education Providers     Provide an excellent education Require excellence from faculty Expect excellence from students Publish a refund policy Clearly state all course requirements Work to keep the tuition and costs affordable Provide an environment of academic freedom Establish non-discriminatory admission standards Require teaching and grading to be conducted only by professionals Allow equal access of all resources to every student Use technology to enhance the educational experience           Contacts: Evaluation Commissioner UAC Administrative Offices P.O. Box 346, Seward, NE 68434 + American Universities, Colleges and Educational Institutes + Listing of Orthodox Theological Schools +     GUEST REPLY FORM   Welcome and thanks for visiting my web site. Please take a moment to fill out this form if UAC can be of help in any way. Be assured that all information you provide will be kept confidential and not shared with anone. When finished, press the "Submit" button at the bottom of the form to send this as an email. You should receive a response typically within a few days. If not, it is an indicator that your email was not received. Either try again or call UAC in the office. You must have your email enabled for this service to work. General Information:   Name (first, last):     Email  address: Our Institute considers itself:  None Protestant Gnostic Roman Catholic Orthodox Old Catholic Independent Other Current Operation:  None Regional Acceditation No accreditation Church accredited Government accedited How may we help you?   None Seeking more Information about UAC policies Would like to talk about accreditation Need application forms Like to schedule you as our speaker Looking for new spiritual home When can I call you? Other     Message: < rows="5" cols="65" name="COMMENT"> Contact Preference: None Add Mailing Email Other None: No contact, just commenting Add Mailing : Add to Mailing List Email: Contact me via email Other: Contact me by phone or postal mail

SCHOOL APPLICATION

INDIVIDUAL CREDENTIAL EVALUATION

NOTE The UAC does not publish a directory. A list of UAC acredited Schools, however,  may be obtained by contacting the Administrative Offices by mail or via the email form above.

Last updated: 11-26-2006