06 May 2010
Pacific Life Bible College values academic excellence and makes every effort to ensure that each course is of the highest standard. PLBC also holds character development and practical experience as equally important aspects of ministry training.
WHAT IS ABHE ACCREDITATION?
ABHE (Association for Biblical Higher Education) ensures that each of its member institutions maintain a defined standard of education (i.e. faculty credentials, library resources, teacher-to-student ratio, administrative competency and accountability, etc.). ABHE accreditation does not, however, guarantee that a student can transfer to and from any institution (although it does help) and receive full transfer credit. For more information on ABHE visit their website at abhe.gospelcom.net.
While PLBC agrees with and meets most of the standards set out in the ABHE accreditation process, we have chosen not to pursue it at this time for the following values-based reasons:
OUR GRADUATES FINISH DEBT-FREE AND MINISTRY READY!
The cost associated with accreditation (i.e. hiring full-time faculty instead of part-time faculty) would drive up tuition rates and squeeze out a large group of called and gifted young people who can't afford to attend an accredited Bible College. PLBC's tuition is very affordable, especially considering the size and location of our campus. This means that our graduates are able to finish debt-free and ministry ready!
OUR PROGRAMS ARE PROGRESSIVE
ABHE's more traditional standards and teaching methodologies are not adaptable at this time to allow cooperative programs with non-traditional and non-accredited institutions (i.e. our Gateway partnership for missionary training). Also, our specialty tracks offer more ministry-specific courses than accredited programs requiring a higher percentage of general studies. These programs produce proven leaders and are the extension of core values of PLBC.
OUR STUDENTS CONTINUE ON TO SEMINARY WITH GREAT SUCCESS
As far as PLBC is concerned, the benefits of ABHE (i.e. credit transfers with other accredited institutions) do not outweigh the costs, especially in light our favorable relationship with local and North American seminaries. Our graduates have transferred into their masters programs and, for the most part, exceeded their standards of performance.
OUR FACULTY ARE LIVING WHAT THEY ARE TEACHING
Our faculty do not always fit the academic mold (i.e. they do not all hold doctorate or masters degrees), but they are excellent practitioners in their field and bring their practical experience into the classroom. The majority of our faculty are in the trenches every day of the week and take time off once a week to pass on what they know and are experiencing to their class.
What PLBC is doing seems to be working: 93% of our graduates are involved in church leadership and/or graduate studies.
The staff and faculty will continue to improve the academic quality of PLBC's programming, instruction, and resources according to ABHE standards when they are complementary to our mission of training leaders. We will continue to evaluate the benefits of ABHE accreditation with our students in mind and when its value is worth the increased costs we may reconsider pursuing application at that time.