Contact:
| ACCREDITATION AND AUTHORIZATION | ||
| Amridge
University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges
of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
(1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097;
Telephone number 404.679.4501) to award Associate of
Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of
Arts, Master of Science, Master of Divinity, Doctor of
Ministry, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. |
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INSTITUTIONAL
MISSION STATEMENT |
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Amridge University is an
independent, coeducational institution dedicated to the
spirit of its Christian ideals and heritage.
Amridge University’s mission is to prepare men
and women, through a commitment to academic excellence
and spiritual vitality at the undergraduate and graduate
levels, for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and
service to the professions, society, church, and family. |
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| INSTITUTIONAL GOALS | ||
| Amridge
University has a history of providing its students with
quality education and teaching excellence. By virtue of
this history and its focused mission, Amridge University
strives to continue this tradition through the adoption
and implementation of holistic educational and
institutional goals. The institutional goals are
student-centered and are directly related to the
University’s mission to prepare men and women, through a
commitment to academic excellence and spiritual vitality
at the undergraduate and graduate levels, for a lifetime
of learning, leadership, and service to the professions,
society, and family. Also, these goals are designed to
help ensure the provision of quality programs and
services which will help lead to the stability and
continued growth of the University so that it can
continue to meet its educational goals. - Amridge University will attract, retain, and contribute to the continued professional development of faculty dedicated to providing quality teaching and active scholarship and committed to the mission and purposes of the University. - Amridge University will maintain and develop facilities and learning environments, which are conducive to the learning process. - Amridge University will develop and implement careful planning and continuous study of the University’s mission, purpose, goals, procedures, and programs as well as an analysis of the evaluation process in the interest of continuous quality improvement of its programs and services. |
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INSTITUTIONAL PURPOSE |
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In keeping with its Christian
heritage, Amridge University provides educational
opportunities through five schools: (1) College of
Business and Leadership, (2) College of General Studies,
(3) School of Human Services, (4) Turner School of
Theology, and (5) School of Continuing Education.
Each of these schools has its own special purpose
within the overall purpose and institutional goals of
the University. |
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A person should pay close
attention to whether a college or university is
regionally accredited.
What is the importance of
an institution being regionally accredited? |
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| REGIONAL
ACCREDITATION in higher education was established over
120 years ago by the major universities of that period.
The purpose was to establish educational
standards and quality assurance to corroborate that a
college or university has meet and attained full
membership.
These regional accreditating agencies are
nongovernmental agencies, but they must insure that all
of its standards comply with the U.S. Department of
Education rules and guidelines.
The six regionally accrediting organizations
approved by the U. S. Department of Education are as
follows: |
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- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- New England
Association of Schools and Colleges
Commission on Institutions of Higher
Education |
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| The Commission
on Colleges and Schools of the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools has visited Amridge University and
all reviews of accreditation have been made by
educational experts and trained experts in all academic
fields taught by the University.
During the visit, educational activities,
administration, financial stability, admissions, student
services, resources, student academic achievement,
organization effectiveness and relationships with
outside constituencies were reviewed. |
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| Additionally,
Amridge University’s Turner School of Theology is an
Associate Member of the Association of Theological
Schools (ATS) in the United States and Canada. |
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AUTHORIZATIONS |
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Amridge University is authorized by
the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education to
operate a private school pursuant to the Alabama Private
School License Law.
Amridge University is authorized by
the Arizona Higher Education Commission.
This authorization must be renewed each year and
is based on an evaluation by minimum standards
concerning quality of education, ethical business
practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility. Amridge University is authorized by
the Idaho Higher Education Commission.
This authorization must be renewed each year and
is based on an evaluation by minimum standards
concerning quality of education, ethical business
practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility. Amridge University is authorized by
the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
This authorization must be renewed each year and
is based on an evaluation by minimum standards
concerning quality of education, ethical business
practices, health and safety, and fiscal
responsibility. Amridge University is authorized by
the Utah Higher Education Commission.
This authorization must be renewed each year and
is based on an evaluation by minimum standards
concerning quality of education, ethical business
practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility. Amridge University is a 501(c) (3), non-profit corporation as determined by the United States Department of Treasury and incorporated in the State of Alabama. |
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| A POSITIVE BIBLICAL FAITH | ||
In accordance with its stated purpose and its concern for truth, Amridge University is firmly committed to furthering the teaching and practice of Christianity. The University presents fairly all significant viewpoints on major issues and promotes freedom of inquiry. However, certain key positions are firmly established by Biblical evidence, and we believe should be upheld. Between 30-40% of Amridge University’s student body are from various religious faiths. Students are free to formulate individual positions. No one is required to sign a creedal statement of belief. Amridge University is happy to have students from various religious backgrounds enrolled in its courses. The University's understanding of the Christian religion includes the following tenets about its source of authority, central doctrines, polity and worship of the church, and the conduct of the Christian life. Both the Old and New Testaments have been given by divine revelation and are the standard of authority in religious matters. The Old Testament prepared the way for Christ, and the New Testament fulfills and supersedes it, making the New Testament the final authority for those who have lived since Christ's death on the cross. There is one God, who is the creator and sustainer of the universe and who takes a direct interest in every human being. The Godhead consists of God the Father; Christ the Son; and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. Christ was born of a virgin, died on the cross to make atonement for man's sins, arose bodily from the tomb, and ascended into heaven, where he presently reigns. There is a heaven to be enjoyed by the faithful and a hell to be endured by the disobedient. God created all people with a need for fellowship with him and the ability to choose to obey his commands. Man cannot earn salvation from sin but can qualify to receive it as a gift of grace through submission to the will of God. The scripturally appointed means for receiving this gift is faith in Christ, repentance, confession of faith, and baptism (immersion). The transformation in character, conduct, and relationship with God that man experiences in this process is the new birth (regeneration). Christians are expected to live in accordance with the teachings of the New Testament. Christ established the church for the mutual encouragement, instruction, and assistance of Christians and for the evangelization of the world through the proclamation of His gospel. Jesus prayed for unity among his disciples and commanded love for one another as the means to maintain it. The church was originally organized so that, once the apostles passed away, individual congregations would be independent of any central human authority and would be guided solely by the unchanging standard of Scripture. Congregations are to be bound together by common purpose and cooperative effort. Each congregation is to assemble for worship on every first day of the week according to the teachings of the New Testament. In contrast to the elaborate temple ritual of the Old Testament, worship in the Christian age is to be in spirit and truth. Accordingly, the worship of the New Testament church consists of teaching God's word, offering prayers and thanksgiving from the heart, singing praise to God and encouragement to one another with the human voice, voluntary giving as a means of expressing appreciation to God for his blessings and sharing them with others, and partaking of the Lord's Supper in commemoration of Christ's death. Genuine charismatic gifts, such as prophecy, speaking in foreign languages, and miraculous healing, were exercised in the first century but not perpetuated afterward. On the basis of principles established at creation, the New Testament assigns roles of leadership in public worship and supervision of the local congregation to male Christians. The scriptural organization of the local congregation consists of a plurality of elders (also called bishops or shepherds), who have oversight of the church; deacons, who assist the elders in ministering to the needs of members; and evangelists, who proclaim the gospel and teach under the authority of the elders. The offices of apostle and prophet ended with the passing of the miraculous age of charismatic gifts. Women are a powerful force in the church through the influence of their character and spiritual insights and through their efforts in teaching other women and children, helping the needy, and engaging in personal evangelism. Christianity as taught by Christ and the apostles provides for the needs of the individual, the family, and society. An understanding of God's sacrificial love enables each person to recognize his worth and potential in the sight of God, relieves his guilt and anxiety, and motivates him to conduct his life according to the highest standards. The example of Christ fosters humility, submission to authority, and service to others. Through its teaching, its communal worship, its fellowship, and its mission of evangelism and benevolence, the church strengthens both individuals and families and has a strong impact for good wherever its efforts and influence reach. [Written by Lawrence E. Barclay, Faculty Member, the Amridge University Turner School of Theology] Note: Amridge University is an academic institution, not a church. Bible classes at Amridge University are not worship or devotional services, but an educational environment for interaction between student and teacher. |
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