Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools

{{crenav}}{{cquote|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 [[Young Earth Creationism|special creation]].|||from the Introduction to TRACS' policies and procedures{{rp|iii}}}}

The '''Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS)''' is an [[Academic accreditation|accrediting body]] approved by the United States Department of Education to accredit [[Christianity|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 school]]s, 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. <ref>Henry M. Morris, [http://www.icr.org/article/495/ The ICR Graduates]. Acts & Facts. 32 (9), 2003. Retrieved on 13 September 2015.</ref>

== Standards for accreditation ==

TRACS publishes guides for Christian colleges and universities seeking accreditation.{{rp|43}} In order to be accredited by TRACS, candidate institutions are required to establish a "Biblical Foundations Statement" reflecting the institution's [[evangelical]] beliefs.{{rp|iii}} TRACS claim to evaluate [[education]]al 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, 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. 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.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140715134839/http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/06/25/69010.htm Students Accuse Theology School of Deceit]. courthousenews.com. 25 June 2014. Retrieved on 16 September 2015.</ref> TRACS terminated Apex's accreditation on 25 March 2020.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200922230242/https://tracs.org/discontinued-institutions/ Discontinued Institutions]. tracs.org.</ref>

Their website lists over 90 accredited institutions, including notable fundie schools [[Bob Jones University]] and [[Pensacola Christian College]].<ref>[https://tracs.org/members/ TRACS Members]. tracs.org.</ref>

==External links==
*[http://www.tracs.org Official website]

==References==
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[[Category:Christianity]]
[[Category:Fundie schools]]
[[Category:Institute for Creation Research]]

Categories: Christianity, Fundie schools, Institute for Creation Research