Will Pensacola Christian College ever try for regional accreditation?

I ask because Bob Jones University refused accreditation in the early days but went for national accreditation, later obtained regional accreditation. The same goes for Liberty University.

The old school administration won't be around forever. Newer administrators will rise. Nobody lives forever.

Will Pensacola Christian College try for RA certification?

 

There might be a risk in it. They have national accreditation from a conservative faith based accreditor. Going after RA could alientate their niche market. There are hundreds and hundreds of colleges and become too vanilla and you are just one of many vanilla colleges. There are already major players like Liberty U in the RA market (large footprint and huge endowment).

When BJUs census began to slide I don't know. But they are battling to grow their student population after several years of decreasing numbers. May or may not be tied to seeking NA and then RA accreditation and other changes.

 

Based on a quick reading of their site I'd guess that the answer is no, they will never seek accreditation. Not only did I see nothing that indicated that they felt a need for accreditation, there were a few things that I saw that suggested that accreditation might be seen as counter to their values.

 

They already are accredited by TRACS. Their nursing program is accredited by CCNE and their bachelors in engineering by ABET.

http://www.pcci.edu/Academics/Accreditation.aspx

I'm not sure what regional accreditation would get them that they don't already have.

 

If their enrollment is sufficient and steady then it's not clear that they'd have a real reason to go through the process. Maybe if they wanted to grow substantially . . . but I'm guessing not. They occupy a particular niche in the higher ed system and in it's own way, this gives them a certain sort of exclusivity. They might not really want to lose that.

 

I did not know their nursing program was CCNE accredited and their engineering program was ABET! So, in addition to US DoE and CHEA recognized faith based accreditation (TRACS), they have these specialized professional accreditations.

The benefit of adding RA is there but does it outweigh potential costs? It is VERY expensive, risks alienating and removing a distinctive in a niche you serve and maybe looks like you are compromising. In addition, because it is expensive you need to come up with additional funds to pay for it and that may mean increased tuition. Low tuition cost is another benefit of the college (eg if you want an Engineering or Nursing degree in a conservative Christian environment....or at least can function in it). Again, adding RA may add little value, drive up costs and make you another expensive college offering something similar to other expensive Christian higher ed options.

http://www.pcci.edu/FinancialInfo/

 

From what I've heard about the place, they need to compromise big time: they need to compromise with principles of kindness, goodness and Christ-like love. But Pharisees hate to compromise, being, as they always seem to be, so in love with their rules which allow them to tyrannize, while never reaching the hearts of those who are being tyrannized. It's just the way they roll. I think they need to make major compromises, based on what I've heard from those who experienced it.

 

First time pass rate for the NCLEX was 96.7%.

 

As FTF noted, I suspect they are a little (lot) more strict (rigid) than Liberty University. LU has enrolled Muslims in their medical school. One Med Student gave a great interview about how upfront LU was about their beliefs and asking her how she felt she would fit in. She was a moderate Muslim and said they shared the same beliefs about dignity, reverance, integrity, and standards of conduct. She told them she felt she would fit in well and they admitted her.

 

Possible. I did read about complaints regarding limited credit transfer. Maybe if they got accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) for their teacher education programs, they have further accreditation without regional accreditation.

Just a thought.

 

Perhaps share that with them. I suspect the thought has occurred to them but there may be a reason or they may be in the process.

 

For me it's not even about the religious belief thing; i.e., I don't mind Muslim schools saying "Muslims only", Jewish schools saying "Jewish only", or Christian schools saying the same. That's all good, people ought to be able to associate with those of like mind. But I wouldn't send my kids to PCC if it were the last place on earth. I just don't think they accurately represent Jesus--I think they come closer to the polar opposite.