ITAA Standard: Public Information, Marketing and Disclosure

Scope and purpose

This standard defines expectations for public information, marketing and disclosure for institutions accredited by the International Theological Accreditation Association (ITAA). Its purpose is student protection through transparency, to ensure prospective and current students, partners and regulators can make informed decisions about an institution's status, programmes and legal standing.

ITAA accreditation is a form of independent theological accreditation and is not governmental recognition. Institutions must always accurately describe their accreditation status and the implications for qualifications, mobility and regulatory compliance.

Core requirements

Institutions must ensure all publicly available statements, marketing materials and website content are:

• Truthful and current: factual, not misleading, and updated promptly when circumstances change.
• Clear about status: state the institution’s accreditation by the International Theological Accreditation Association (ITAA) and that ITAA is an independent, non-governmental accreditation body.
• Explicit about limits: where relevant, clearly state that ITAA accreditation does not grant statutory degree-awarding powers or governmental recognition and does not replace any local legal requirements for operating or awarding qualifications.
• Compliant with local law: reflect the institution’s compliance with national, state/provincial and local laws governing operation, student registration, consumer protection and awarding of qualifications.

Marketing must not imply governmental approval, statutory degree powers, or guaranteed acceptance of qualifications by external regulators or employers.

Required disclosures and website placement

Institutions must publish, in a prominent and easily accessible place on their primary public website, the following items:

• A clear statement of accreditation status with ITAA and the effective date of that status where applicable.
• An Accreditation Disclaimer that mirrors ITAA requirements: that ITAA is an independent theological accreditation body, accreditation does not replace governmental recognition where required, and institutions are responsible for legal compliance.
• Contact details for verification (email or verification form) and a link to ITAA's central verification or contact page for third-party checks.

ITAA recommends a footer link or an Accreditation Disclaimer page and provides standard wording for institutions to adapt. Institutions remain responsible to keep these statements accurate at all times.

Advertising and claims

All advertising (print, digital, social media, partner or agent material) must comply with this standard. Institutions must not:

• Use language that could be reasonably interpreted as implying governmental recognition or statutory degree powers.
• Advertise programmes as "nationally recognised" or "government-accredited" unless supported by appropriate governmental authority.
• Misrepresent programme learning outcomes, graduate entitlement, or credit transfer without verifiable evidence.

ITAA may investigate suspected misuse of accreditation or misleading advertising and may take regulatory action, up to suspension or withdrawal of accreditation where breaches are established.

Institutional obligations and accountability

Institutions are legally and contractually responsible for:

• Ensuring public information and marketing materials are accurate and legally compliant in every jurisdiction where the institution operates or recruits students.
• Maintaining records of publications, marketing claims and approvals for review by ITAA as part of routine monitoring or complaint investigations.
• Notifying ITAA promptly of significant changes that affect public statements, such as changes in delivery mode, legal registration, campuses, or programme status.

ITAA disclaims liability for misleading or false statements made by institutions and for any legal enforcement actions arising from unlawful activity. Institutions remain solely responsible for meeting regulatory and consumer-protection obligations in their jurisdictions.

Enforcement and remedies

When misuse, misleading information or non-compliance is identified, ITAA will follow published governance procedures. Remedies may include correction notices, formal conditions, monitoring, suspension or withdrawal of accreditation. Institutions will be given an opportunity to respond and remediate in accordance with ITAA governance timelines.

All parties (students, staff, regulators, public) may request verification of accreditation via ITAA's verification channel.

Definitions and interpretation

For the purposes of this standard:

• Accreditation: a quality assurance judgement made by ITAA about an institution's conformity with ITAA standards.
• Independent theological accreditation / non-governmental accreditation: a non-state accreditation process provided by ITAA that complements but does not replace governmental or statutory recognition systems.

Locked legal statements

The following ITAA legal statements are authoritative and must be preserved verbatim where required:

"ITAA is a private theological accreditation agency."

"ITAA is not a governmental accreditation authority."

"ITAA accreditation never overrides local law."

"Institutions remain solely responsible for compliance with all applicable national, state or provincial, regional, and local laws."

"ITAA does not grant statutory degree-awarding powers."

"Accreditation status does not replace governmental recognition where required."

"Institutional rankings measure the maturity of systems and governance, not the value of a ministry, spiritual calling, ministry effectiveness, or God’s favour."

Implementation checklist for institutions

Publish the following and retain evidence of publication:

1. Accreditation status statement and effective date.
2. Accreditation Disclaimer page or prominent footer link to ITAA's Important Accreditation Information.
3. Verification contact (email/form) and link to ITAA verification page.
4. Copies of marketing materials and approvals used in recruitment markets.
5. Process for timely updates when legal or operational changes occur.

Maintain records for review during monitoring visits or investigations.