ACCREDITATION
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SBI accredited?
No, Southern Bible Institute is not accredited, but SBI is actively pursuing the accreditation process with the Association
for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). However, SBI currently holds “Applicant” status at the undergraduate degree level
with the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education, 5850 TG Lee Blvd. Suite 130,
Orlando, Florida, 32822, Ph. (407) 207-0808, www.abhe.org. Applicant status is a pre-membership status granted to
those institutions that meet the ABHE Conditions of Eligibility and that possess such qualities as may provide a basis
for achieving Candidate status within four years. As an Applicant school with the Association for Biblical Higher
Education, Southern Bible Institute is listed on the association’s website directory: http://www.abhe.org/pages/NAVDirectory.html.
Who is ABHE and why did SBI choose ABHE?
ABHE is a North American higher education association officially approved by the U.S. Department of Education and
is an officially recognized “faith‐based” accrediting association by CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation,
http://www.chea.org/pdf/CHEA_USDE_AllAccred.pdf). For more information about ABHE visit their website at
www.abhe.org. You can also contact ABHE at: Association for Biblical Higher Education, 5850 T. G. Lee Blvd., Orlando,
FL 32822; telephone, 407.207.0808; web, www.abhe.org.
SBI chose ABHE because we believe this accrediting association provides the best choice for helping us grow
institutionally and advance high academic standards, while carrying out our institutional mission statement which is “to
equip men and women to be competent servant leaders with a bible-centered worldview” and learning outcomes
associated with our bible-centered curriculum. Our well known branding likewise affirms this decision by our Board of
Directors and members of the broader SBI educational community: “Timeless servant leadership rooted in God’s
authoritative Word.”
Where is SBI in the accreditation process?
ABHE states: “Accreditation is a process by which an institution evaluates its educational activities, in whole or in part,
and seeks an independent judgment to confirm that it achieves its mission and goals and is generally equal in quality
to comparable institutions or specialized units http://www.abhe.org/pages/NAV-aboutAccreditation.html.”
After being accepted as an ABHE “Applicant" institution in February, 2014, Southern Bible Institute began documenting
its compliance with the Association’s annual reporting cycle and Comprehensive Integrated Standards (CIS), the next
steps in the process for achieving Candidacy. SBI makes its institutional outcomes public on the website at
http://www.southernbible.org/index.cfm/PageID/1610/index.htm. ABHE's list of Comprehensive Integrated Standards
can be found on the ABHE Website in the COA Manual, pages 13-29. Web URL: http://www.abheresources.com/pdfResources/COA/2013_COA_Manual.pdf.
ABHE's Comprehensive Integrated Standards principally involves the submission of a comprehensive institutional self
study with assessment and planning documents. The self study is rigorous compliance evaluation of the whole
institution with responses and documentation justifying that SBI be granted Candidacy, the next step in the process
accreditation process and the reason for which SBI chose ABHE, to help us grow institutionally and advance high
academic standards, while carrying out our and institutional mission statement and learning outcomes associated with
our bible-centered curriculum.
What about attending an unaccredited school?
SBI has educated students for 87 years. Its mission has not wavered and with over eight decades in continuous
operation—this speaks well about the institute’s longevity and respectability in the Dallas/Fort Worth community.
What about admission into Graduate School? It should be kept in mind that admission decisions are completely up to
the staff and policies of the school to which a student applies. SBI graduates have been accepted into graduate
programs at major bible-centered colleges, seminaries, and universities, who maintain faith-based accreditation status
with associations like ABHE and ATS (Association of Theological Schools), and may also maintain regional
accreditation status with associations like SACS (Southern Association Colleges and Schools).
SBI student course work credit has likewise been accepted for transfer credit by these institutions. Some of these
institutions include Dallas Baptist University, Criswell College, and Dallas Theological Seminary.
SBI currently has a course articulation agreement with Moody Bible Institute. As of May 2013, SBI graduates
with the Associate of Science degree can fully transfer all course credits in that degree to Moody's Bachelor of Arts
Ministry Leaderships degree. At the end, a student graduates with a four-year degree that is recognized by the two
accrediting associations, faith related - the Association of Biblical Higher Education and regionally - and regionally by
the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more detailed
information, please call the Admissions office at SBI, 214.224.5481.
Does SBI accept financial aid through FAFSA, student loans or GI Bill?
Veterans are welcome to use their GI Bill educational benefits at SBI. SBI has very affordable tuition when compared
to many other higher education programs. SBI’s own financial aid system assists students in obeying God’s leadership
preparation in school. SBI’s many generous donors makes this possible. SBI does not participate in FAFSA or receive
federal financial aid, since it is not accredited. See our downloadable academic Catalog (Enrollment and Financial
Information sections) and applicable areas on this website for information about financial aid, tuition, and fees
http://www.southernbible.org/tuition.
Can SBI admit International Students?
SBI is not authorized to accept applicants for study with student visas. Therefore, foreign nationals wishing to study at
SBI must reside in the U.S. as permanent residents, or have established some other form of legal status whereby study
at a higher education institution is authorized.
Authorized international applicants must give evidence of educational background that is at least equivalent to a U.S.
high school diploma. It is the responsibility of the applicant to obtain records or transcripts from their respective schools
in their home countries. Said records should be translated and notarized as “official” documents. International transfer
of course credit or academic program credentials may also require outside review from Josef Silney and Associates
foreign credentials evaluators, which is also the reasonability of the student. For further details please contact the
Admissions Office.
Applicants who are not native English speakers must demonstrate evidence of sufficient English language skills to do
successful post-secondary work. In some cases collaborative testing such as TOEFL or TOESL may be required to
complete the admission process.
Will my degree be “grandfathered” after SBI is accredited?
The concept of “grandfathering” a degree does not apply to accreditation. Accreditation applies to the school or
programs and not necessarily to all of the academic credentials offered by an institution. If a student graduates from
SBI prior to accreditation, they will graduate from an unaccredited institution. If they graduate after accreditation they
will graduate from an accredited institution. Any acceptance of an academic credential from SBI prior to accreditation
belongs to the decision-making process of that institution. SBI is always glad to assist with questions about academic
equivalency from other institutions.
What happens if SBI gets accredited while I am still in school?
If a student is applying to another school, the registrar will ask or look to see if the school is accredited. If it is accredited
at that time, then the conversation will usually end there. Each higher education school has its own evaluation process
and in some cases may require equivalency or validation/challenge type entrance exams to form an objective decision.
In SBI’s evaluation and with collaboration from other independent higher education professionals, all syllabi and course
work are comparable with other accredited institutions. Professors currently meet the credentialing and experience
requirements for ABHE and other regionally accredited agencies to teach courses within their discipline at the
undergraduate level.
When will SBI be accredited?
SBI is unable to make any predictions or guarantees regarding future accreditation because that decision rests with
ABHE to grant based on the school’s level of compliance with the association’s Comprehensive Integrated Standards
for accredited schools required throughout its membership. ABHE accreditation is an independent peer review process
based on peer evaluation by a school achieving compliance with ABHE's comprehensive integrated standards for
accreditation. Doing what you say you are doing and continuous improvement are the main threads leading to
accreditation, not simply ticking off and complying with a list of requirements. SBI has been granted Candidate status
with ABHE. This is a non-member status. Again, in looking forward our next step in the accreditation process is pursuing
candidacy. If Candidate status is granted to SBI, Initial Accredited status is next and may be achieved within a
reasonable amount of time given demonstrated compliance evaluated by peer review.