The Distinctives of ARTS
Mission
The mission of the Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries (ARTS) is to preserve and advance the academic quality, accountability, and improvement of institutions committed to educating students in the tenets of Reformed Theology.
History
Created in 1999 to meet the need for a professional and accrediting organization dedicated to Reformed theological education, ARTS, through its independent standing Commission on Accreditation, accredits institutions, which satisfy the Commission’s eligibility requirements and academic standards.
Core Values
ARTS is committed to bringing glory to God by contributing to the building of the Church, the progress of God’s Kingdom, and the preservation and advancement of the Reformed tradition by providing a context in which the Association, the Commission on Accreditation, and member institutions can hold one another accountable for fulfilling their individual purposes and commitments.
Tenets of Faith
Each affiliate, applicant, candidate, and accredited member institution must profess adherence to one or more of the historic creeds of the Reformed tradition: the Westminster Confession and Catechisms, the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, the Canons of Dordt, the First and Second Helvetic Confessions, or the Second London Confession of 1689.
Membership
Membership in ARTS is open to educational institutions, which meet the eligibility requirements and academic standards of the ARTS Commission on Accreditation. Institutions which have been accredited by the ARTS Commission on Accreditation (ARTS-COA) are classified as full association/or accredited members, can advertise that they have achieved ARTS-COA accreditation, and are eligible to participate in ARTS association governance and its professional society.
Institutions that are applying, but have not yet been accredited by ARTS-COA, are classified as having obtained either applicant or candidate status and are not considered ARTS association members. Applicant and Candidate institutions may not claim ARTS-COA accreditation and are not eligible to participate in ARTS’s association governance.
Scope of Accreditation
ARTS Commission on Accreditation accredits United States based institutions and other locations as determined by the Commission on Accreditation, which offers baccalaureate and/or graduate degrees in fields aimed at preparing students for Christian service and ministry through biblical and theological studies of Reformed traditions.
Leadership & Governance
ARTS consists of a board of directors, comprised of member institutions, with responsibility for the business affairs of the Association. ARTS also consists of a separate and independent Commission on Accreditation that exercises authority over accreditation decisions, policies & procedures, academic standards, and site review processes.
Constitution & Bylaws, ARTS Commission on Accreditation Policies & Procedures
More information on ARTS Constitution, Bylaws and the COA Accreditation Policies and Procedures are located on the Accreditation page.