Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary recently took a major step forward in its pursuit of regional accreditation.  With the approval of our self-study design by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), CBTS now enters the critical self-study phase – an 18-month period of concentrated self-evaluation in preparation for an anticipated evaluation team visit in March 2009. 

But why, some may ask, would CBTS – a seminary that has been in existence for over thirty years – willingly subject itself to such an intense and time-consuming process?  The answer is straightforward – namely, we want to be the best seminary we can be for God’s glory and we believe the accreditation process provides an established, recognized, and systematic means to help us achieve that goal.  To that end, accreditation is first and foremost about strengthening and sustaining the quality and integrity of academic institutions and the resulting education they provide.  The process cultivates an environment of continuous assessment and improvement and fosters community (seminary-wide) involvement and commitment.  Through the crucial self-study process, each institution must take a long hard look at itself: where it has been, where it is, and where it is going – all with a view towards capturing institutional strengths and correcting weaknesses.  Such an in-depth self-understanding is essential for moving forward with a mindset that is both self-critical and self-correcting.

While there are various types of accreditation (regional, national, and specialized or professional) the most widely recognized form is regional – of which Middle States is one of six such associations that are recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.  As such, regional accreditation serves as the “good housekeeping seal of approval” for academic institutions, thus providing a degree of accountability and credibility that assures the public (i.e., our constituency, including prospective students), supporters, and the seminary family of a quality product.  Moreover, the immediate practical benefits for current and future students include: eligibility for student loans, enhanced credit transfer capability, and increased opportunities for acceptance into other programs for advanced theological training.

Finally, it must be emphasized that regional accreditation appreciates (even celebrates) the diversity among institutions and guards their individual autonomy.  Moreover, accreditation is both voluntary and non-intrusive.  The role of the accrediting agency is not to set institutional mission, philosophy, or even curriculum, but rather, through a process of peer review, to assure that each institution has the resources and facilities and has established conditions and procedures to effectively carry out its own mission and goals.  The resulting process, we believe, will help CBTS to more effectively accomplish its mission of glorifying God through preparing godly servant leaders for worldwide service for Christ.