Accreditation & School Facts

Pacific Bible College is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation (5850 T. G. Lee Blvd., Ste. 130, Orlando, FL 32822, 407.207.0808) to grant certificates and degrees at the Associate and Baccalaureate Levels, (COA Standards and Policies Manual, pp. 63).

The Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) is a North American agency, made of approximately 200 postsecondary institutions throughout North America specializing in biblical ministry formation and professional leadership education. ABHE exists to enhance the quality and credibility of higher educational institutions that engage students in biblical, transformational, experiential, and missional higher education through accreditation, professional development, and collaborative engagements benefiting the Kingdom of Christ. (see ABHE Commission on Accreditation Certificate granting PBC candidate status).

Is ABHE recognized by the U.S. Department Education? Yes.

Official recognition of United States accrediting agencies began in the 1950s when the US government decided to designate accrediting agencies as “gatekeepers” relative to student financial aid eligibility. The Association for Biblical Higher Education in Canada and the United States (ABHE) has held such recognition since its inception. Today, ABHE is also listed by the United States Department of Education as a recognized institutional “gatekeeper” accrediting agency. USDE recognition extends as well to ABHE’s candidate (pre-accredited) institutions. The Commission’s accredited and pre-accredited member institutions are also recognized by the Department of Justice, the Veteran’s Administration, and other relevant federal agencies in the United States. USDE recognition is currently limited to undergraduate education (including both traditional and distance education modalities).

Is ABHE Recognized by Professional Peers? Yes.

ABHE has also earned recognition as a national, faith-based accrediting agency by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the successor of the Council on Postsecondary Education (COPA), and subsequently the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary accreditation (CORPA). ABHE’s scope of CHEA recognition includes institutions and programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels through traditional and distance education modalities.

Is ABHE Recognized Internationally? Yes.

ABHE is recognized by the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education (ICETE), the theological education affiliate of the World Evangelical Alliance. The Council is a global community sponsored by eight continental/regional associations of theological schools.

The Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation (5850 T.G. Lee Blvd., Ste. 130, Orlando, FL 32822, 407.207.0808) accredits the following programs:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies (BABS)
  • Associate of Biblical Studies (ABS)
  • Associate of Liberal Arts (ALA)
  • Associate of Applied Science in Christian Counseling (AASCC)‍
  • Certificate of Christian Ministries (CCM)
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Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC-ODA)

This school is a nonprofit authorized by the State of Oregon to offer and confer the academic degrees and certificates described herein, following a determination that state academic standards will be satisfied under OAR 583-030. Inquiries concerning the standards or school compliance may be directed to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC-ODA) Office of Degree Authorization, 3225 25th Street SE, Salem, Oregon 97302, or info.pps@hecc.oregon.gov .

Transfer of Credit to Other Schools

Transfer of credit is always at the discretion of the receiving school, generally depends on comparability of curricula, and may depend on comparability of accreditation.

Transfer of credit to other accredited institutions

Pacific Bible College has articulation agreements with:

  • Calvary Chapel Bible College
  • Corban University
  • George Fox
  • Montana Bible College
  • Multnomah University / William Jessup
  • New Hope Christian College
  • Bushnell University (fka: Northwest Christian University)
  • Oak Hills Christian College
  • Simpson University
  • Shasta Bible College

The articulation agreements, the transfer student’s records (transcripts, etc.) will be evaluated according to the rules and regulations as described in the catalog and in accordance with PBC/ above mentioned entities institutional policies in effect at the time of the student’s admission to a degree program. To facilitate transfer between institutions, students are urged to meet with respective college(s) representatives well before transferring to ensure the most complete assessment for all relevant credits. After evaluation, the student will be notified that an official evaluation has been completed and will be provided with the details of all applicable transfer credit that has been accepted by the college. All transfers are evaluated on a course-by-course basis. Appropriate coursework completed with a grade of C or above will be accepted.