Accreditation is a quality assurance process under which services and operations of an educational institution are evaluated by membership associations or a government agency to determine if applicable standards are met. If standards are met, accredited status is granted by the association or agency.
Twenty-one (21) jurisdictions in the USA, including Virginia, allow exemption from accreditation for religious schools. This means that religious schools can grant degrees (bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctoral degrees, etc.) to students, without government oversight. However, in Virginia an “exempt school” must clearly state in its catalogs and promotional materials that it is exempt from the requirements of state regulations and oversight.
Section 23-266.A of the Code of Virginia provides for exemption from State approval for an institution whose primary purpose is religious training or theological education, which makes accreditation for a Christian school/university not necessary. The Frederick L. Ray Biblical Institute has elected not to seek accreditation since it does not have the organizational structure to meet accreditation status. Nevertheless, we feel that high academic standards and ethics are necessary and the Frederick L. Biblical Institute provides quality education in preparing ministers for the Gospel work of Jesus Christ.
We are proud to announce that the Commonwealth of Virginia Council of Higher Education has approved the Frederick L. Ray Biblical Institute the right to confer degrees, diplomas, and certificates under the provisions of Virginia State Regulation 8 VAC 40-30-30(B).