Jump to content

Accrediting Commission International: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
TallMagic (talk | contribs)
3,050 edits
add some more sections
TallMagic (talk | contribs)
3,050 edits
→‎Schools accredited by ACI: remove reference to degree.net because JJB seems unconvinced of John Bear's expertise
(21 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Accrediting Commission International''' (ACI), also known as '''Accrediting Commission International for Schools, Colleges, and Theological Seminaries''', also known as '''International Accrediting Commission''' (IAC), also known as '''International Accrediting Commission for Schools, Colleges and Theological Seminaries''' is an unrecognized [[educational accreditation]] corporation in [[Beebe, Arkansas]], primarily accrediting religious schools, including [[seminaries]] and [[Bible college]]s, but also offering accreditation to non-U.S. schools that offer business education programs.<ref name=accreditnow/> John F. Scheel is president.<ref name=aci09>{{cite web|url=http://www.accreditnow.com|title=Home; About Us|publisher=Accrediting Commission International|accessdate=2009-03-23}}</ref> The St. Petersburg Times reported, " 'It's basically a guy in some church,' said Alan Contreras, who heads [[Oregon Office of Degree Authorization|Oregon's Office of Degree Authorization]], which closely tracks schools with questionable accreditation. 'Anything accredited by ACI in Beebe, Ark., is either fake or substandard, as far as I know.' "<ref>[http://www.sptimes.com/2007/10/27/State/Degree_inspires_littl.shtml Degree inspires little faith], By Steve Bousquet and Ron Matus, [[St. Petersburg Times]], October 27, 2007</ref>
'''Accrediting Commission International''' (ACI), also known as '''Accrediting Commission International for Schools, Colleges, and Theological Seminaries''', apparently also associated with '''International Accrediting Commission''' (IAC), also known as '''International Accrediting Commission for Schools, Colleges and Theological Seminaries''' is an unrecognized [[educational accreditation]] corporation in [[Beebe, Arkansas]], primarily accrediting religious schools, including [[seminaries]] and [[Bible college]]s, but also offering accreditation to non-U.S. schools that offer business education programs.<ref name=accreditnow/> John F. Scheel is president.<ref name=aci09>{{cite web|url=http://www.accreditnow.com|title=Home; About Us|publisher=Accrediting Commission International|accessdate=2009-03-23}}</ref> The St. Petersburg Times reported, " 'It's basically a guy in some church,' said Alan Contreras, who heads [[Oregon Office of Degree Authorization|Oregon's Office of Degree Authorization]], which closely tracks schools with questionable accreditation. 'Anything accredited by ACI in Beebe, Ark., is either fake or substandard, as far as I know.' "<ref>[http://www.sptimes.com/2007/10/27/State/Degree_inspires_littl.shtml Degree inspires little faith], By Steve Bousquet and Ron Matus, [[St. Petersburg Times]], October 27, 2007</ref>


==Controversy==
==Controversy==
Line 7: Line 7:


==Schools accredited by ACI==
==Schools accredited by ACI==
ACI claimed to accredit 280 schools in 2007;<ref name=accreditnow/> [[Patriot Bible University]], an ACI accredited school, claimed 300 in 2008;<ref name=pbu>{{cite web|url=https://www.patriotuniversity.com/Secure/infoAccreditation.htm|title=Who Accredits Patriot Bible University|publisher=[[Patriot Bible University]]|date=2008-10|accessdate=2009-03-23}}</ref> ACI currently counts 310.<ref name=aci09/> Other organizations accreditated by ACI include [[Washington International University]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usa-wiu.org/school.html|publisher=[[Washington International University]]|accessdate=2009-03-23|date=1999|title=Welcome to WIU}}</ref> and [[Wisconsin International University]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Lee, Jeff|url=http://www.cufa.bc.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=149&Itemid=1|title=College Linked to 'Worthless' American Degrees|work=[[Vancouver Sun]]|date=2006-10-09|accessdate=2009-03-23}}</ref> Degree.net, published by [[John Bear]] (considered by the [[U.S. Department of Education]] (USDE) as a leading private authority on academic fraud and [[distance education]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/fraud.doc|publisher=[[U.S. Department of Education]]|title=Diploma Mills and Fraud|format=[[MS Word]] document|date=2008-02-21|accessdate=2009-03-23}}</ref> adds [[Century University]], [[Columbia Southern University]], and [[Western States University]].<ref name=degreenet/>
ACI claimed to accredit 280 schools in 2007;<ref name=accreditnow/> [[Patriot Bible University]], an ACI accredited school, claimed 300 in 2008;<ref name=pbu>{{cite web|url=https://www.patriotuniversity.com/Secure/infoAccreditation.htm|title=Who Accredits Patriot Bible University|publisher=[[Patriot Bible University]]|date=2008-10|accessdate=2009-03-23}}</ref> ACI currently counts 310.<ref name=aci09/> Other organizations accreditated by ACI include [[Washington International University]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usa-wiu.org/school.html|publisher=[[Washington International University]]|accessdate=2009-03-23|date=1999|title=Welcome to WIU}}</ref> and [[Wisconsin International University]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Lee, Jeff|url=http://www.cufa.bc.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=149&Itemid=1|title=College Linked to 'Worthless' American Degrees|work=[[Vancouver Sun]]|date=2006-10-09|accessdate=2009-03-23}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==

Revision as of 19:36, 26 March 2009

Accrediting Commission International (ACI), also known as Accrediting Commission International for Schools, Colleges, and Theological Seminaries, apparently also associated with International Accrediting Commission (IAC), also known as International Accrediting Commission for Schools, Colleges and Theological Seminaries is an unrecognized educational accreditation corporation in Beebe, Arkansas, primarily accrediting religious schools, including seminaries and Bible colleges, but also offering accreditation to non-U.S. schools that offer business education programs.[1] John F. Scheel is president.[2] The St. Petersburg Times reported, " 'It's basically a guy in some church,' said Alan Contreras, who heads Oregon's Office of Degree Authorization, which closely tracks schools with questionable accreditation. 'Anything accredited by ACI in Beebe, Ark., is either fake or substandard, as far as I know.' "[3]

Controversy

ACI is not recognized by either Council for Higher Education Accreditation or United States Department of Education, the two institutions responsible for recognizing educational accreditating institutions in the United States.[4][5] According to its website, ACI had not applied for USDE affiliation as of 2007 because of most of its members' views about separation of church and state.[1]

IAC is controversial in part because it was caught by the state of Missouri accrediting an obviously bogus college and charged with fraud.[5] The bogus college was created by an assistant attorney general for the state of Missouri in a sting operation. IAC still accredited the obviously bogus college. IAC was ordered to close down by the state of Missouri. IAC then apparently moved to Beebe, Arkansas and changed their name to Accrediting Commission International.[5][6] Degree.net says that "International Accrediting Commission for Schools, Colleges and Theological Seminaries" (IAC) was an organization directed by Dr. George Reuter, who retired immediately before ACI arose in Arkansas.[4]

Schools accredited by ACI

ACI claimed to accredit 280 schools in 2007;[1] Patriot Bible University, an ACI accredited school, claimed 300 in 2008;[7] ACI currently counts 310.[2] Other organizations accreditated by ACI include Washington International University[8] and Wisconsin International University.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Other Benefits and Steps Toward ACI Certification". Accrediting Commission International. 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
  2. ^ a b "Home; About Us". Accrediting Commission International. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
  3. ^ Degree inspires little faith, By Steve Bousquet and Ron Matus, St. Petersburg Times, October 27, 2007
  4. ^ a b "Accrediting Agencies Not Recognized Under GAAP". Degree.net. 2008. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
  5. ^ a b c Great Moments in Accreditation: The Case of IAC, ACI, and The Three Stooges, by John Bear, Quackwatch
  6. ^ Roach, David (2006-10-24). "Pastor's resignation sparks discussion of accreditation". Baptist Press. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
  7. ^ "Who Accredits Patriot Bible University". Patriot Bible University. 2008-10. Retrieved 2009-03-23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ "Welcome to WIU". Washington International University. 1999. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
  9. ^ Lee, Jeff (2006-10-09). "College Linked to 'Worthless' American Degrees". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Accrediting_Commission_International&oldid=279856907"