Smith Christian University (SCU) has its own independent Board of Trustees and is a non-profit corporation under Internal Revenue Service code of 1986, as amended, section 501(c)(3).
Authorization to Grant Degrees
Degree programs of study offered by Smith Christian University (SCU) have been declared exempt from the requirements for licensure under the provisions of the Florida State Board of Independent Colleges and Universities (SBICU) and continues to do so as an approved institution with the Florida Commission for Independent Education (FCIE), with respect to religious education. Additional information regarding the institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 32399; Website: http://www.fldoe.org/.
In accordance with the provision of the Florida Department of Education General Statues Section 1005.06(1)(f), Smith Christian University (SCU) offers the following degrees:
· Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Christian Leadership
· Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with majors in: Bible & Humanities, Biblical Studies, Christian Clinical Counseling & Psychology, Christian Business Management & Leadership, Religious Education, Youth Ministry, Communication Arts, Psychology and Christian Education Leadership
· Master of Arts (M.A.) with majors in: Pulpit Communication & Expository Preaching, Communication, Psychology, Christian Political and Cultural Advocacy, Religious Education, Christian Management & Leadership, Conflict Management, Biblical Studies, Christian Clinical Counseling & Psychology, Practical Ministry & Counseling, Conflict Management, and Theology
· Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) with a major in Executive Ministry Leadership
· Master of Divinity (M.Div.) with majors in: Bible & Theology, Biblical Counseling, and Pastoral Ministry
· Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) with majors in: Biblical Counseling, Christian Management & Leadership, Conflict Management, Pastoral Ministry, and Pulpit Communication & Expository Preaching
· Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) with majors in: Biblical Counseling, Christian Education, Christian Management & Leadership, Christian Theology, Conflict Management, Pulpit Communication & Expository Preaching
· Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with majors in: Christian Thought & Philosophy, Christian Clinical Counseling & Psychology, Christian Counseling, and Church & State Studies
· Undergraduate & Graduate Certificates with majors in: Administration, Biblical Counseling, Christian Education, Conflict Management, Expository Preaching, Languages, New Testament, Pastoral Ministry, and Theology
To inquire or review documents pertaining to accreditation, approval, or endorsements, please contact the Provost's Office.
Memberships
Smith Christian University (SCU) is an accredited member of the Commission on Colleges of Transworld Accrediting Commission International (TACI), having maintained Accredited status as a Category IV institution by the TACI Accreditation Commission since May of 2005. (231 E. Alessandro Blvd., Suite A-210, Riverside, California 92508; TACI Membership List)
Accredited status indicates that the institution has provided evidence that it is in substantive compliance with TACI Standards and Criteria (http://www.transworldaccrediting.com/), has been peer evaluated after completing a self-study, and in the professional judgement of the on-site evaluation team and the Accreditation Commission, the institution provides quality instruction, student services, adequate facilities, etc. Accredited institutions have achieved this level of recognition through continuous self-study and evaluation.
TACI is an independent, federally recognized advocate and institutional voice for the regulation of academic quality through accreditation. TACI grants accreditation solely to Christian colleges, universities and seminaries. Accreditation under TACI will enable graduates to realize the benefits of accreditation without compromise to the University's Bible-based philosophy and practices. SCU has undertaken a thorough self-study of its academic programs and business operations, documenting hundreds of pages of programs and processes to show that the University meets accreditation standards. Their rigorous evaluation process applies the same standards upheld by long-established "brick and mortar" institutions.
TACI looked at our lifestyle-friendly curricula, our Learning System and our administrative policies. They reviewed our student support services and assessed the quality of our faculty and course content. Their conclusion: Smith Christian University's degree, certificate and high school programs continually meet, and regularly exceed, the TACI's exacting standards of excellence.
Accredited public, private, and Christian colleges and universities accept degrees earned at Smith Christian University as a foundation for graduate studies and have accepted credits earned for transfer. Accreditation assures the student that the education offered at Smith Christian University is of high quality. The University has achieved or surpassed the performance standards established by the accrediting association. Accredited status aids the student in the transfer of credit; however, the transfer of credit is always at the discretion of the receiving school.
(Normal inquiries about Smith Christian University such as admissions, financial aid, and educational programs should be addressed directly to the University and not to the Offices of the Commission on Colleges. Interested constituents should contact the Transworld Accrediting Commission International only if there is significant evidence for alleged non-compliance with a standard or requirement.)
Smith Christian University is Registered and Listed with the Florida Department of Education and meets all requirements as a non-public schools, in accordance with State of Florida Statues, Sec. 229.808. (Under district, select -Broward). School Code 0907.
Smith Christian University is registered with The College Board (SAT, PSAT/NMSQT), whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity.
Smith Christian University is registered with The ACT (PLAN, DISCOVER, EXPLORE, ACT), whose mission is helping people achieve education and workplace success.
Smith Christian University is a registered member of The National Secondary School List of Education Testing Services to offer the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Registered No. 4205.
Smith Christian University is a charter member of the Association of Independent Christian Colleges and Schools (AICCS).
Veterans Educational Benefits - Smith Christian University has been approved by the US Department of Veteran's Affairs and the Florida State Approving Agency to enroll students who are entitled to educational benefits under Titles 38 and 10 of the United States Code.
Title IV Benefits - Smith Christian University is seeking approval from the U.S. Department of Education to participate in the Title IV Program, which offers students access to Federal Direct Loans, and loan repayment deferments.
International Students - Smith Christian University is seeking authorization by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) to issue I-20 forms through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to enroll nonimmigrant international students. (Smith Christian University anticipates approval by the Federal Government this year to offer I-20 forms towards student visas.)
Smith Christian University is exempt from seeking approval to operate and offer educational programs from the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education in the Department of Consumer Affairs.
Smith Christian University (SCU) is diligently working towards accreditation through the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) and the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) and intends thereafter to seek accreditation through the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). All of these accrediting agencies are approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Annual Assessments
Each year, Smith Christian University (SCU) pursues comprehensive academic evaluations made by faculty from other accredited institutions. These external examiners who do not teach for Smith Christian University (SCU) assess student learning outcomes in light of the:
- mission and objectives of the institution
- academic rigor of course requirements by degree level
- integrity of student work
- institutional services
- faculty development
This external assessment guides SCU in its internal processes of curriculum development, and also determines the targeted quality for its courses and programs.
The final test of any school is the ability of its graduates to do the work for which they have prepared. Our finest certification is that our graduates perform faithful and competent ministry.
