Accreditation when issued properly is a validation. This validation is achieved when a group of theoretically impartial experts in higher education thoroughly investigates a school and find it worthy of approval.

In America we have a number of separate independent agencies that grant accreditation. There is no central control or authority and there are both good and bad accrediting agencies. There are also two types of accreditation—institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditors, such as those referred to as "regional" accreditors, examine the college or university as a whole educational institution. Specialized accreditors evaluate specific educational programs. Professional accreditors, such as those for medicine, law, architecture and engineering, fall into this category.

Accreditation is a voluntary process and each college or university may decide for it self if accreditation is appropriate and necessary to accomplish its education mission. For those universities that seek Federal Government educational funding, accreditation by an agency recognized by the Department of Education is required.

Accreditation can be important for the school and the student. But that importance is confused by several factors. There are no significant national standards for accreditation. The accreditation of a school in one state might not be acceptable in another state. There are seven regional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. These regional accrediting agencies carry the highest level of recognition and acceptance in the U.S.A.

The degree programs offered at Suffield University are not designed to be used for admittance to a graduate school or to meet any particular licensing or accreditation standards. If you are seeking a degree for licensing purposes, SU advises you to check with that licensing body or association to determine if that degree would be accepted.

Suffield University is international in scope, offering its degree programs to accomplished adults around the world. Accreditation by an accreditation agency recognized by the Department of Education in the US is neither warranted nor necessary to achieve its education mission. Suffield University does not seek Federal Government funding and has no need to meet this eligibility.

The National Distance Learning Accreditation Council accredits Suffield University. N.D.L.A.C. was established as a professional accrediting association to provide employers and other interested parties with a resource to determine the acceptability of a particular degree that is granted from a nontraditional institution.

The accrediting board (PBOE) is a voluntary group of educational organizations affiliated for the purpose of improving education, continuing education and certification training. Through its support of an independent Accrediting board, the PBOE membership promulgates and sustains the standards for accreditation along with policies and procedures that measure and ensure educational standards of quality.

The essential purpose of the accreditation process is to provide a professional judgment as to the quality of the educational institution or program(s) offered, and to encourage continual improvement thereof. Accreditation is the process by which the PBOE accrediting board grants public recognition to an educational institution which has voluntarily submitted to an evaluative comparison with established qualifications and standards, both upon initial application and periodically thereafter. PBOE's function is focused upon educational quality, the continuous assessment and improvement of educational practices and assistance to member institutions in the improvement of these practices within their programs.

The Harvest School of Ministry is a private, comprehensive biblical teaching and academic training center founded in 2003 by Dr. Anthony McFarland, Chancellor. The satellite campus is located right in the heart of Altadena California, which is in the hills of Pasadena. We are located in an ethnically diverse community and lively city, with a metropolitan population.

Students may choose from non-accredited or an accredited curriculum majoring in Biblical Counseling, Systematic Theology, Biblical Studies and Religious Studies. Through our University program, we offer a Bachelors, Masters and a new Ph.D. Program, that commenced in the Fall of 2007.

The student faculty fosters a great deal of interaction between themselves and their students. Each professor's educational and practical experience is firmly rooted in years of spiritual, academic and industry leadership, which continues through active counsel.

Many of the programs offer a cohort format, which allows you to move through the program with the same group of peers with whom you began.

Accredited by (N.D.L.A.C.) National Distant Learning Accreditation Council

Small group learning environment

Stress-free class schedules

Excellent faculty with a heart to see leaders grow and advance

Christian wisdom and insight of God's word for your life and future

Harvest School of Ministry holds its annual commencement ceremony following the spring quarter. Degree candidates must have completed successfully all curriculum requirements and have passed all prescribed examinations by the published deadlines to be allowed to participate in the ceremony. A student completing degree requirements in the fall quarter will be invited to particpate in the Commencement the following June; however, the quarter in which the degree was actually earned will be the one recorded on the diploma and the student's permanent record. Students unable to particpate in the graduation ceremony will receive their diploma by mail.

To date we have graduated 3 classes; i.e.: Class of 2005 and Class of 2006 & 2007. The most recent commencement ceremony was held on campus at Fuller Theological Seminary with full regalia. We anticipate an even more rewarding ceremony as we continue to grow in the grace of God.