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ORLANDO , FL – The Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges, a higher education agency that has been in existence since 1947, will officially change its name to the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), effective June 1, 2004 . The name change was recently approved by the membership of the Association at its annual business meeting. The new name is more inclusive than the old name and better represents the wide range of institutions within the Association. It also addresses expansion of scope changes that were recently approved by the membership as part of the new standards to include graduate-level and programmatic accreditation. Throughout its 57 year history, the Association provided accreditation only on the undergraduate-level and only on an institutional basis. The expanded scope will provide accreditation services for the graduate offerings of these institutions. The programmatic option will make accreditation available for programs in church vocational studies for comprehensive institutions that hold institutional accreditation with another recognized accrediting body. The new name, Association for Biblical Higher Education, also accommodates the expansion of services that has taken place with the addition of affiliate institutions. Affiliate institutions do not relate to the Commission on Accreditation, but rather come under the larger umbrella organization-ABHE.
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Larry J. McKinney , Executive Director of the Association, states that “the new name continues to emphasize the Association’s rich history and its continued commitment to Bible-centered higher education while recognizing the increasing diversity of institutions that it serves.” The Association for Biblical Higher Education is located in Orlando , Florida and serves approximately 140 institutions throughout North America . The mission of the Association for Biblical Higher Education is to provide accreditation and services for institutions and programs of biblical higher education within Canada , the United States , and related territories.
The Association for Biblical Higher Education is recognized as a national accrediting agency by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation ( CHEA ). ABHE is also listed by the United States Department of Education as a recognized agency for biblical higher education. The Association’s member institutions are recognized by the Department of Justice, the Veteran’s administration, and other relevant federal agencies in the United States . There is no federal department of education in Canada . Finally, ABHE is recognized by the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education, the theological education affiliate of the World Evangelical Alliance.
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Posted June 1, 2004
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