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.
DENOMINATIONS AND MISSIONS ORGANIZATIONS
While FTS is not formally part of a denomination, our student body, alumni, and faculty belong to the following churches and missionary organizations (not a comprehensive list):
Denominations:
Acts 29
Anglican Church of North America
Baptist Missionary Association
Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches
Confessional Baptist Association (formerly ARBCA)
Conservative Congregational Christian Conference
Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Fellowship of Reformed Baptists
Fellowship of Independent Reformed Evangelicals
G3 Church Network
Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian Church in America
Presbyterian Church of Brazil
Presbyterian Church in Canada
Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America
Southern Baptist Convention
Venture Church Network
Mission Organizations:
Association of Baptists for World Evangelism
CRU (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ)
Greater Europe Missions
International Missions Board (SBC)
Mission Aviation Fellowship
Mission Quest
Mission to the World (PCA)
Pioneers
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.
Forge Theological Seminary is a partner of the Beza Institute for Reformed Classical Education.
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, “Theological Education and Accreditation: A Critique and Proposal,” The American Journal of Biblical Theology 27, no. 5 (2026): 1-16.
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?."