ACCREDITATION & Affiliation
Forge Theological Seminary is not accredited by any accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. As an institution whose sole purpose is religious and theological training, Forge Theological Seminary is exempt from state oversight as per the South Carolina Code of Laws, Nonpublic Postsecondary Institution License Act, § 59-58-30(4). Click here for more information on South Carolina's Religious Exemption policy.
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FTS Statement on USDE Recognized Accreditation
Since its inception in 2015, FTS has intentionally rejected any involvement, whether directly or indirectly, with the federal government. Our reasons are two-fold: First, theological education belongs to the church and not the state. Second, our mission is to provide robust theological education that is as affordable as possible. We believe that theological education should not involve students becoming indebted to the federal government or anyone else. Indeed, "the borrower is the slave of the lender" (Prov. 22:7). Institutions endure the expense and toil of achieving United States Department of Education (USDE)-recognized accreditation primarily in order to gain access to federal money via student grants and loans. FTS has no interest in Title IV compliance or federal student loan dollars. Further, we do not equate USDE-recognized accreditation with either legitimacy or faithfulness to Christ. Therefore, there remains little reason to pursue USDE-recognized accreditation. Moreover, while USDE-recognized accreditation may provide some benefit to students (i.e., credit transferability), we have found that despite our rejection of recognized accreditation, our students have gained admission and have had their course credits transferred to traditionally accredited institutions. ​FTS is, however, committed to ensuring the quality of its courses and programs through critical third-party review and we will continue to pursue strategic partnerships that benefit our students and faculty through continuous improvement.
Forge Theological Seminary is an accredited member of the E-Learning Quality Network (ELQN). FTS has undergone a comprehensive evaluation of its programs, learning management system, and administrative practices in accordance with ELQN's criteria to ensure quality in distance education. You may verify FTS' status here.
Forge Theological Seminary is a training center of the Fellowship of Biblical Counselors.
Forge Theological Seminary is a certified training center of the International Association of Biblical Counselors.
Forge Theological Seminary is a member institution of the World Reformed Fellowship.
Forge Theological Seminary is an affiliate of the Mercosur Accreditation Agency.
AGREEMENT with Cornerstone college & Seminary
Forge Theological Seminary has entered into a reciprocity agreement with Cornerstone College & Seminary which affords FTS/Cornerstone students and graduates transferability and general admission. For detailed information, contact the registrar's office.
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AGREEMENT with the ICR School of Biblical Apologetics
Forge Theological Seminary has entered into an articulation agreement with the Institute for Creation Research's School of Biblical Apologetics which affords FTS/ICR students transferability, limited course access, and general admission. For detailed information, contact the registrar's office.
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AGREEMENT with JOHANN HEINRICH PESTALOZZI CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
Forge Theological Seminary has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding agreement with Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi Christian University (JHPCU) which affords both FTS/JHPCU students and graduates transferability and the potential for reciprocal awards. For detailed information, contact the registrar's office.
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AGREEMENT with Master's International University of Divinity
Forge Theological Seminary has entered into a reciprocity agreement with Master's International University of Divinity (MIUD) which affords FTS students and graduates transferability and a significant discount for MIUD's courses and programs. For detailed information, contact the registrar's office.
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​For further information on accreditation, see the following resources:
Steve Levicoff, Name it and Frame It? New Opportunities in Adult Education and How to Avoid Being Ripped Off by "Christian" Degree Mills (Ambler, PA: Institute on Religion and Law, 1992).
Rick Walson, Walston's Guide to Christian Distance Learning, 5th Ed. (Maitland, FL: Xulon Press, 2007).
Lisa Parro, "Free from State Oversight," Christianity Today, 10/19/2007.
Ted Olson, "Accreditor Says Creationism Mandate Violates Academic Freedom," Christianity Today, 05/01/2002.
Michael R. Burgos, "On the Logic of the Biblical Counseling Movement & the Question of Accreditation" in Light Through the Spectrum: Essays on Biblical Counseling (Torrington, CT: Church Militant Pub., 2020), 46-57.
John Frame, "Seminaries and Academic Accreditation."
John M. Wiley, "Is an Unaccredited College or Seminary a Viable Option for Theological Education?."