TRACS

Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) is an accrediting body approved by the United States Department of Education to accredit Christian higher education institutions. TRACS was created by the Institute for Creation Research (ICR) as a creationist accreditation organization, by ICR members including Henry M. Morris, the founder of modern Young Earth Creationism. Once TRACS was approved to accredit fundie schools, they accredited the ICR graduate school. This could be seen as a conflict of interest, as Henry M. Morris was a chairman for both the ICR (Graduate School) and TRACS itself which would imply that TRACS completely disregarded its own standards to make the ICR Graduate School look legit. [2]

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“”The purpose of TRACS is to promote the welfare, interests, and development of quality Christian postsecondary institutions whose mission is distinctly Christian, and is undergirded by a belief in biblical inerrancy, biblical authority and the historicity of the first eleven chapters of Genesis, including special creation.
—from the Introduction to TRACS' policies and procedures[1]

Standards for accreditation

TRACS publishes guides for Christian colleges and universities seeking accreditation.[3] In order to be accredited by TRACS, candidate institutions are required to establish a "Biblical Foundations Statement" reflecting the institution's evangelical beliefs.[4] TRACS claim to evaluate educational standards as well as "Christian values".

An interesting look into an unaccredited religious college's attempt to conform to TRACS policy is found in the policy manual for Kernel University in California,[5] which was granted candidate status with TRACS in 2017.

Accredited schools

Possession of a degree from a TRACS-accredited institution does not necessarily imply that the degree is worth something.[6] In 2014, four students from the Apex School of Theology sued the school for "misrepresentations, concealments and unfair and deceptive business practices with respect to its actual and implied accreditation status" because Apex possesses accreditation only from TRACS, and as such is not recognized anywhere as the equivalent of regional accreditation for professional licensure.[7]

Their website lists 65 accredited institutions, including notable fundie schools Bob Jones University and Pensacola Christian College.[8]

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References
  1. TRACS Policies and Procedures manual, page iii. tracs.org. Retrieved on 30 August 2019.
  2. Henry M. Morris, The ICR Graduates. Acts & Facts. 32 (9), 2003. Retrieved on 13 September 2015.
  3. TRACS Policies and Procedures manual, page 43. tracs.org. Retrieved on 03 September 2019.
  4. TRACS 2019 Accreditation Manual, BP-302. tracs.org. Retrieved on 03 September 2019.
  5. Kernel University Policy Manual, December 2016.
  6. Jennifer Abel. Students beware: make sure your school has regional accreditation. consumeraffairs.com. 26 June 2014. Retrieved on 16 September 2015.
  7. Students Accuse Theology School of Deceit. courthousenews.com. 25 June 2014. Retrieved on 16 September 2015.
  8. TRACS Member Schools
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