Statement of Accreditation
Turner Theological Seminary is authorized by the Georgia Nonpublic postsecondary education commission to offer degrees in theology, divinity, religious education and ministerial training under Georgia statutes that exempt religious colleges and seminaries. Turner currently only offers online Masters programs to Georgia residents. Continuing education, non degree certificate programs are offered to nonresidents and international students online. See Certificate Programs for further information.
Turner Theological Seminary (TTS) is currently unaccredited but is seeking accreditation through the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS), the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
showcasing commitment to academic excellence and independence.
Overview of our Faith and Historical Journey & Milestones
Turner Theological Seminary (TTS) has embarked on a significant path toward independent accreditation, marking a pivotal chapter in our institutional history.
Separation from ITC Consortium
March 2024: TTS formally notified the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) of its intent to pursue independent accreditation.
TRACS Application Journey
1. December 2023: Hired TRACS Consultant
2. June 2024: TTS submitted its initial application to the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS).
3. Feedback and Revisions
August 2024: Feedback from TRACS highlighted areas requiring revision.
November 2024: TTS addressed the concerns and resubmitted the application, which was subsequently approved.
4. TRACS Self-Study Process
November 2024: Comprehensive self-study in progress.
January 9, 2025: TRACS granted approval for Self-Study Proposal.
May 2025: Submit Self-Study Report
5. TRACS Site Visit:
July 22 - 25, 2025: TRACS accreditation team scheduled for an onsite evaluation.
September 2025: Submit final report to TRACS
6. TRACS Candidacy Approval
October 2025: TRACS will review TTS request for accreditation. Anticipates approval, enabling TTS to receive Title IV funds (financial aid).
ATS Accreditation Journey
1. November 2024: Hired ATS Consultant
2. September 2025: Submitting application to the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
SACSCOC Accreditation Journey
1. January 2025: Hired SACSCOC Consultants
2. March 2025: Submitting application to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS)
TRACS was founded in 1979 as a voluntary, non-profit, self-governing organization to promote the welfare, interests, and development of postsecondary institutions whose mission is characterized by a distinctly Christian purpose, as defined in the agency’s Foundational Standards.
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TRACS is recognized by both the United States Department of Education (DE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as a national institutional accrediting agency for Christian post-secondary institutions, colleges, universities, and seminaries.
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TRACS is a member of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE). INQAAHE is a worldwide association of over 200 organizations active in the theory and practice of quality assurance in higher education.
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TRACS is also a member of the American Council on Education (ACE). ACE has over 1,700 organizations that collectively promote, protect and advocate for students, faculty, and administrators in higher education. ACE is the most visible and influential higher education association in the nation and is at the center of federal policy debates concerning issues related to higher education legislation across the country.
Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS)
15935 Forest Road, Forest, VA 24551
(434) 525-9539 | email: info@tracs.org
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is an institutional accreditor for quality assurance in higher education. SACSCOC accredits institutions that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees, including those offered via distance and correspondence education, and direct assessment within these institutions. It serves as the common denominator of shared values and practices among its members in the United States and international institutions of higher education approved by the SACSCOC Executive Council, Board of Trustees, and the Appeals Committee of the College Delegate Assembly.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
1866 Southern Lane,
Decatur, GA 30033
404.679.4500
Email: questions@sacscoc.org
The Association of Theological Schools (ATS)
Membership in The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) is open to schools in North America that offer graduate professional theological degrees, are demonstrably engaged in educating professional leadership (i.e., offering at least one professional graduate degree) for communities of the Christian or Jewish faiths, and meet the Association’s membership eligibility criteria. Current ATS member schools reflect a broad spectrum of doctrinal, confessional, and theological perspectives.
Since 1936, the ATS Commission on Accrediting has maintained standards for its member schools, developed and approved by the membership—always with a focus on how those standards can help member schools improve in educational quality for the sake of their students.
About ATS
More than 270 graduate schools of theology in the United States and Canada form The Association of Theological Schools. Member schools conduct post-baccalaureate professional and academic degree programs to educate persons for the practice of ministry and for teaching and research in the theological disciplines. These schools differ from one another in deep and significant ways but, through their membership in ATS, they demonstrate a commitment to shared values about what constitutes good theological education.
One Mission: To promote the improvement and enhancement of theological schools to the benefit of communities of faith and the broader public.
One Vision: To foster and support innovation in theological schools and to strengthen the Association's 100-year legacy of quality theological education.
The Association of Theological Schools (ATS)
10 Summit Park Drive
Pittsburgh PA 15275-1110
(412) 788-6505 | communications@ats.edu