Purpose and scope
This Standard defines ITAA expectations for an institutional Statement of Faith and related practices that demonstrate theological integrity across governance, curriculum, faculty, and student engagement. The Standard applies to all institutions seeking or maintaining ITAA accreditation and supports ITAA’s mission to protect students by promoting transparent, ethical, and high-quality theological education.
Core requirements
Institutions must hold and publish a clear written Statement of Faith that reflects their doctrinal commitments and aligns with historic evangelical orthodoxy as interpreted by the institution's governing body. The Statement of Faith should be accessible to prospective students, current students, staff, and external stakeholders and must be consistently applied in institutional policies where doctrinal agreement is relevant to role or curriculum.
- Clarity: the Statement should identify essential doctrinal positions and their implications for teaching and ministry practice.
- Accessibility: the Statement must be published in official institutional materials and on the institution's website.
- Consistency: governance, hiring, and programme documentation should demonstrate consistent application of the Statement where appropriate.
Academic and ethical safeguards
Institutions must protect academic freedom within the theological framework they adopt, ensuring that scholarship and teaching are rigorous, documented, and respectful of the institution’s confessional commitments. Policies are required to address academic integrity, grievance handling, and the rights of students and staff. Evidence of oversight (board minutes, faculty handbooks, assessment records) must demonstrate ongoing quality assurance and doctrinal accountability.
Student protection and transparency
ITAA requires institutions to make public, accurate statements about their Statement of Faith, programme content, awarding authority, and any applicable limitations on government recognition. Institutions remain solely responsible for complying with all relevant national, regional, and local laws before issuing certificates, diplomas, or degrees.
Application evidence
When applying for accreditation or reaccreditation, institutions must submit their Statement of Faith, governance documents demonstrating its adoption, faculty role descriptions, student-facing policy documents, and samples of curriculum that show how theological commitments are integrated and assessed.
Non-compliance and corrective action
Failure to maintain transparent evidence of a Statement of Faith or related quality-assurance practices may result in corrective action, suspension, or withdrawal of ITAA accreditation. ITAA investigates misuse of accreditation or misleading claims and requires institutions to promptly correct public information that is inaccurate or misleading.
Implementation guidance for institutions
Recommended institutional practice includes regular board review of the Statement of Faith, annual affirmation by key personnel where applicable, incorporation of doctrinal expectations in faculty induction, and scheduled review of curriculum mapping so theological outcomes align with stated beliefs. Institutions should maintain auditable records that demonstrate consistent application of the Statement across programmes.
Frequently asked questions
Must faculty sign the Statement of Faith?
Institutions determine role-specific requirements; ITAA expects consistent, documented policies describing when doctrinal agreement is required for employment or specific roles.
Does ITAA’s accreditation replace government approval?
No. Institutions must comply with all applicable laws and obtain any government recognition required in their jurisdiction.
ITAA accreditation is governmental recognition.
ITAA is an independent theological accreditation body and is not a governmental accreditation authority. ITAA accreditation does not replace required governmental recognition or statutory degree-awarding powers.
A Statement of Faith is merely promotional text.
Under this Standard, a Statement of Faith is an operational document that must be published, applied consistently in governance and academic practice, and evidenced during accreditation review.
ITAA’s Role
ITAA provides independent theological accreditation that assesses an institution's theological clarity, academic systems, and student protections. ITAA evaluates the existence, publication, and consistent application of a Statement of Faith as part of broader quality-assurance standards. ITAA does not grant governmental recognition or statutory degree-awarding powers; institutions retain full responsibility for legal compliance in their jurisdictions. For full legal and policy details see Important Accreditation Information.