Accreditation & Quality Assurance

Cross Life School of Divinity is committed to educational excellence and institutional integrity. We operate under the Cross Life Accreditation Council (CLAC) framework, maintaining rigorous standards equivalent to nationally recognized accrediting agencies.

Important Accreditation Disclosure

Cross Life School of Divinity is accredited by the Cross Life Accreditation Council (CLAC), an internal accrediting body established to ensure educational quality and institutional integrity.

CLSD is NOT accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

What this means for students:

Credits may not transfer to other institutions
Federal financial aid (FAFSA) is not available
Credentials may not be recognized by all employers
Some graduate schools may not accept CLSD credits

What We DO Offer

Certificate Upgrade Promise

Your investment is protected. When CLSD achieves national accreditation, all prior students will be eligible to have their certificates upgraded to reflect our nationally accredited status—at no additional cost. We maintain complete records of all student achievements specifically for this purpose.

Rigorous Standards

Quality standards documented in the CLAC Standards Manual

Qualified Faculty

Instructors with relevant credentials and ministry experience

Student Support

Grievance procedures and responsive student services

Continuous Improvement

Commitment to excellence and future national accreditation

CLAC Standards

The Cross Life Accreditation Council maintains 12 comprehensive standards covering all aspects of institutional operation. Click each standard to learn more.

Standard I

Institutional Purpose

Standard II

Organizational Leadership

Standard III

Fiscal Responsibility

Standard IV

Ethical Operations

Standard V

Academic Programs

Standard VI

Instructional Personnel

Standard VII

Educational Effectiveness

Standard VIII

Learning Support Systems

Standard IX

Learner Assistance

Standard X

Enrollment Practices

Standard XI

Financial Transparency

Standard XII

Institutional Advancement

Our Commitment to Excellence

Educational Best Practices

Curriculum Design: All courses are developed by qualified faculty with relevant credentials and ministry experience. Each course includes clearly defined learning outcomes, substantive content, varied instructional methods, and rigorous assessments.

Faculty Excellence: Our instructors possess appropriate academic credentials and demonstrated ministry expertise. Faculty engage in ongoing professional development and are evaluated regularly on teaching effectiveness.

Assessment of Learning: We systematically assess student achievement through multiple methods including examinations, research papers, and practical ministry projects.

Ethical Best Practices

Truthful Representation: All marketing materials accurately represent our programs, outcomes, and institutional characteristics. We do not make misleading claims about accreditation, career outcomes, or credential recognition.

Fair Treatment: We treat all students, faculty, and staff fairly and without discrimination. Policies are applied consistently, and grievance procedures provide recourse for those who believe they have been treated unfairly.

Transparency: We are forthright about our accreditation status, clearly disclosing that CLSD is accredited by CLAC and not by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Pathways to Higher Education

While CLSD credits may not automatically transfer, several accredited Christian colleges and universities have policies for accepting credits from non-accredited institutions. Here are examples of schools that may accept CLSD coursework:

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA • SACSCOC Accredited

Maintains an "Approved Unaccredited Institutions" list with pre-approved course equivalencies. One of the largest Christian universities accepting non-accredited credits.

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Global Christian University

Dallas, TX • ABHE Accredited

Accepts up to 25% of degree units from non-accredited programs. Has formal agreements with several non-accredited ministry schools.

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Calvary University

Kansas City, MO • HLC & ABHE Accredited

Accepts Bible language courses from non-accredited institutions after proficiency exam. Other courses evaluated case-by-case.

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Trinity Bible College

Ellendale, ND • ABHE Accredited

Accepts limited credits from non-accredited institutions after students demonstrate satisfactory academic performance.

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Carolina Christian College

Winston-Salem, NC • TRACS Accredited

Accepts credits from unaccredited schools on a case-by-case basis. Submit course syllabi for evaluation.

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Southern Baptist Seminary

Louisville, KY • ATS & SACSCOC Accredited

Considers credits from non-accredited institutions on a case-by-case basis. Submit detailed course documentation for evaluation.

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Important Note About Transfer Credits

Transfer credit acceptance is always at the discretion of the receiving institution. We strongly recommend contacting your intended transfer school directly to inquire about their specific policies for accepting credits from non-accredited institutions. CLSD is actively pursuing formal articulation agreements with these and other institutions to create clear transfer pathways for our graduates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About Accreditation?

We're committed to transparency. Contact us with any questions about our accreditation status or quality standards.

For questions about CLAC standards, compliance, or accreditation status.

File a Complaint

Formal complaint process available

If you have concerns about your educational experience, contact us to initiate the complaint resolution process.

Ready to Begin Your Theological Journey?

Despite our current accreditation status, we're committed to providing quality theological education that prepares you for effective ministry.