The IACCI Application

The Online Application Manual

ICAAI is an independent, Arkansas based, non-profit corporation. Our purpose is to be an accrediting agency to small Bible colleges, specialized schools, institutes and seminaries which handle distance, external study programs and/or resident programs. We invite applicants from those institutions that would not qualify for, or do not want the governmental connection with, regional accreditation. We also welcome applications from those who have been denied by other accrediting agencies.

Since we believe in the right of separation of church and state, we have not, nor will we ever, apply to the U.S. Department of Education for any affiliation with the government. In other words, we are not a regional accreditation agency.

When an institution becomes accredited it indicates their willingness to become examined by a third party organization. It openly allows analysis of their policies and practices. Accreditation is purely voluntary in nature. Yet, accreditation of a Bible college or seminary gives a "seal of approval" for those who are attempting to find out where they would like to attend school. Through ICAAI, even the smallest educational establishment can distinguish itself as an accredited body of higher learning.

Important Issues Concerning Accreditation

The Issue of Governance and Authority
The laws which govern accrediting agencies are the laws and statutes of the state in which the agency is incorporated, in this case, the State of Arkansas. The authority which the agency has to accredit schools comes from three sources: 1) being a duly incorporated business with the state, 2) maintaining the highest academic and ethical standards, 3) having a proven track- record of accrediting schools which meet ICAAI criteria.

The Issue of Registration
An accrediting agency does not have to register with the state. Remember that accreditation is voluntary and therefore, the responsibility falls to the institution applying for accreditation.

The Issue of State Laws
This issue is on a state-by-state situation. If the state allows an exemption for religious institutions, then the institution does not fall under the auspices of state approval. It then falls to ICAAI to make sure that the school maintains the highest academic standards. If there is no exemption then the institution applying must first be in compliance with the regulations of the state in order to grant degrees.

The Issue of Guidelines
There are certain guidelines, but this area again falls to the applying institution. For example, the State of Kentucky must approve all degree programs offered by a post- secondary educational institution. The program can then be accredited by the ICAAI since it has been approved by the State. But again this is the responsibility of the institution.

The Issue of Liability and Responsibility
Dealing with this last issue, if an accredited institution goes astray, doctrinally or academically, then the ICAAI, at its discretion, can withdraw accredited status or place the institution on probation. As far as responsibility and liability, the ICAAI bears none. If an institution is in violation of state regulations to the point that the state is forced to step in and take action, the ICAAI is seen as a third party. The issue is between the institution and the state.

Steps to Accreditation with ICAAI

You have made the first step by carefully looking through this manual to determine if you are a legitimate candidate for application to ICAAI.

The second step is to fill out the enclosed application completely. You will need to have the application notarized with the signature of the director or a designated officer of the school. This application must be accompanied with a check for $500.00. Upon acceptance of your application you will be granted a Certificate of Intent. In the unlikely event that your application is not accepted, a letter of explanation will be sent and $450 will be returned. An application processing free of $50 will be retained by ICAAI.

The third step will be training sessions. ICAAI is one of the few accrediting bodies who allows off-site training. Representatives from the candidate institution will come to Siloam Springs, Arkansas for an extensive training session. The representative must bring with him/her proper documentation as described later. Shortly after the training at Siloam Springs, the candidate school will receive a certificate of Provisionary Accreditation.

The candidate will be responsible for all expenses incurred plus a training fee of $500.00. The training fee must be paid prior to the start of training.

The fourth step will occur when the school comes into full compliance with ICAAI guidelines. The board of ICAAI will then convene on an appointed day. A representative of the candidate institution is welcome to observe in person. After careful consideration of the school's application, progress and the final result of their efforts, the board will vote on whether to grant full accreditation status. A quorum vote in favor will result in the immediate Full Accreditation status. If the vote is not favorable, the deficiencies will be noted and the school will be advised. An extension of time will be granted (in 3 month increments up to one year).

When full accreditation is granted, the school will receive an official certificate and a wall plaque. The plaque never expires, but in the event membership is terminated for any reason, the accredited institution shall return the plaque to ICAAI within thirty (30) days from the date of the termination.

There is an annual membership fee is $400.00 for institutions with 200 or fewer students. The rate is $500 per year for institutions with more than 200 students.

ICAAI reserves the right to conduct follow-up inspections every five years with the institution bearing the costs. This will include air fare, lodging and car rental.

Steps to Full Accreditation:
1. Certificate of Intent
2. Provisionary Accreditation
3. Full Accreditation

Training and Inspection at Siloam Springs

This session is for inspection and training and is geared toward fact-finding and no decisions will be made on the spot. The information compiled during this session will be analyzed at the offices of ICAAI. Soon after the visit, the institution will be granted Provisionary Accreditation status along with a detailed report of systems and policies of the school that are found lacking. Based upon these findings, the school will then begin a self-study program in order to come into compliance with the ICAAI guidelines.

Documents that you will need to bring with you to the Training and Inspection session include:

A legal charter of articles of incorporation in your state
Clear and detailed photographs of your building, classrooms and other related facilities.
Clear and detailed photographs of the sign you will use
Statements of recommendation from three (3) non-related people. These statements must contain contact information of the person writing the recommendation.
A copy of any licensing regulations by the state
A copy of any health, safety, or fire inspections by your state
A copy of proof of insurance (even if facility is rented)
A copy of the most recent financial statement
Two copies of the current school catalog or other material given to the public
A copy of all printed advertising, stationary, letterheads, business cards, etc.

FAILURE TO PRODUCE ANY OF THESE DOCUMENTS MAY RESULT IN
DENIAL OF ACCREDITATION

The Application and Institutional Profile will need to be on file at ICAAI prior to the training and inspection. It will be reviewed during the session.

If you have any questions, feel free to write, call or E-mail.


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ICAAI MEANS * Quality * Experience * Friendly * Low Cost * Excellence * Training * Acceptance * Brainstorming * Strategies * Globalization * Synergy * Affordability * Recognition * Ethics	The Online Application Manual ICAAI is an independent, Arkansas based, non-profit corporation. Our purpose is to be an accrediting agency to small Bible colleges, specialized schools, institutes and seminaries which handle distance, external study programs and/or resident programs. We invite applicants from those institutions that would not qualify for, or do not want the governmental connection with, regional accreditation. We also welcome applications from those who have been denied by other accrediting agencies. Since we believe in the right of separation of church and state, we have not, nor will we ever, apply to the U.S. Department of Education for any affiliation with the government. In other words, we are not a regional accreditation agency. When an institution becomes accredited it indicates their willingness to become examined by a third party organization. It openly allows analysis of their policies and practices. Accreditation is purely voluntary in nature. Yet, accreditation of a Bible college or seminary gives a "seal of approval" for those who are attempting to find out where they would like to attend school. Through ICAAI, even the smallest educational establishment can distinguish itself as an accredited body of higher learning. Important Issues Concerning Accreditation The Issue of Governance and Authority The laws which govern accrediting agencies are the laws and statutes of the state in which the agency is incorporated, in this case, the State of Arkansas. The authority which the agency has to accredit schools comes from three sources: 1) being a duly incorporated business with the state, 2) maintaining the highest academic and ethical standards, 3) having a proven track- record of accrediting schools which meet ICAAI criteria. The Issue of Registration An accrediting agency does not have to register with the state. Remember that accreditation is voluntary and therefore, the responsibility falls to the institution applying for accreditation. The Issue of State Laws This issue is on a state-by-state situation. If the state allows an exemption for religious institutions, then the institution does not fall under the auspices of state approval. It then falls to ICAAI to make sure that the school maintains the highest academic standards. If there is no exemption then the institution applying must first be in compliance with the regulations of the state in order to grant degrees. The Issue of Guidelines There are certain guidelines, but this area again falls to the applying institution. For example, the State of Kentucky must approve all degree programs offered by a post- secondary educational institution. The program can then be accredited by the ICAAI since it has been approved by the State. But again this is the responsibility of the institution. The Issue of Liability and Responsibility Dealing with this last issue, if an accredited institution goes astray, doctrinally or academically, then the ICAAI, at its discretion, can withdraw accredited status or place the institution on probation. As far as responsibility and liability, the ICAAI bears none. If an institution is in violation of state regulations to the point that the state is forced to step in and take action, the ICAAI is seen as a third party. The issue is between the institution and the state. Steps to Accreditation with ICAAI You have made the first step by carefully looking through this manual to determine if you are a legitimate candidate for application to ICAAI. The second step is to fill out the enclosed application completely. You will need to have the application notarized with the signature of the director or a designated officer of the school. This application must be accompanied with a check for $500.00. Upon acceptance of your application you will be granted a Certificate of Intent. In the unlikely event that your application is not accepted, a letter of explanation will be sent and $450 will be returned. An application processing free of $50 will be retained by ICAAI. The third step will be training sessions. ICAAI is one of the few accrediting bodies who allows off-site training. Representatives from the candidate institution will come to Siloam Springs, Arkansas for an extensive training session. The representative must bring with him/her proper documentation as described later. Shortly after the training at Siloam Springs, the candidate school will receive a certificate of Provisionary Accreditation. The candidate will be responsible for all expenses incurred plus a training fee of $500.00. The training fee must be paid prior to the start of training. The fourth step will occur when the school comes into full compliance with ICAAI guidelines. The board of ICAAI will then convene on an appointed day. A representative of the candidate institution is welcome to observe in person. After careful consideration of the school's application, progress and the final result of their efforts, the board will vote on whether to grant full accreditation status. A quorum vote in favor will result in the immediate Full Accreditation status. If the vote is not favorable, the deficiencies will be noted and the school will be advised. An extension of time will be granted (in 3 month increments up to one year). When full accreditation is granted, the school will receive an official certificate and a wall plaque. The plaque never expires, but in the event membership is terminated for any reason, the accredited institution shall return the plaque to ICAAI within thirty (30) days from the date of the termination. There is an annual membership fee is $400.00 for institutions with 200 or fewer students. The rate is $500 per year for institutions with more than 200 students. ICAAI reserves the right to conduct follow-up inspections every five years with the institution bearing the costs. This will include air fare, lodging and car rental. Steps to Full Accreditation: 1. Certificate of Intent 2. Provisionary Accreditation 3. Full Accreditation Training and Inspection at Siloam Springs This session is for inspection and training and is geared toward fact-finding and no decisions will be made on the spot. The information compiled during this session will be analyzed at the offices of ICAAI. Soon after the visit, the institution will be granted Provisionary Accreditation status along with a detailed report of systems and policies of the school that are found lacking. Based upon these findings, the school will then begin a self-study program in order to come into compliance with the ICAAI guidelines. Documents that you will need to bring with you to the Training and Inspection session include: A legal charter of articles of incorporation in your state Clear and detailed photographs of your building, classrooms and other related facilities. Clear and detailed photographs of the sign you will use Statements of recommendation from three (3) non-related people. These statements must contain contact information of the person writing the recommendation. A copy of any licensing regulations by the state A copy of any health, safety, or fire inspections by your state A copy of proof of insurance (even if facility is rented) A copy of the most recent financial statement Two copies of the current school catalog or other material given to the public A copy of all printed advertising, stationary, letterheads, business cards, etc. FAILURE TO PRODUCE ANY OF THESE DOCUMENTS MAY RESULT IN DENIAL OF ACCREDITATION The Application and Institutional Profile will need to be on file at ICAAI prior to the training and inspection. It will be reviewed during the session. If you have any questions, feel free to write, call or E-mail.