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.
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 a partner of GradXs and is authorized to administer the MA and PhD degrees through our partner university.
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.
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.
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.
For further information on accreditation, see the following resources:
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."
Gordon S. Jones, "Perspective: Why my college will never seek accreditation," Deseret News, 07/20/2025.
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).
Ted Olson, "Accreditor Says Creationism Mandate Violates Academic Freedom," Christianity Today, 05/01/2002.
Lisa Parro, "Free from State Oversight," Christianity Today, 10/19/2007.
Rick Walson, Walston's Guide to Christian Distance Learning, 5th Ed. (Maitland, FL: Xulon Press, 2007).
John M. Wiley, "Is an Unaccredited College or Seminary a Viable Option for Theological Education?."