Accreditation Status
Transparency on Our Accreditation Journey
We believe that every prospective student deserves a complete, honest account of our institutional status before they enroll. This page provides exactly that.
Important Notice: I AM University Is Not Currently Accredited
I AM University is not currently institutionally accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency. We are an independent faith-based educational institution currently offering non-degree educational programs. We have not received, applied for, or been granted institutional accreditation from any regional, national, or programmatic accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
This status has significant implications for students, including the potential inability to transfer credits to other institutions, ineligibility for federal financial aid, and the non-degree nature of all current programs. All of these implications are explained fully on this page and in our consumer disclosures.
Official Institutional Disclosure
Understanding Accreditation
What Accreditation Is and Why It Matters
We believe an informed student is a protected student. Here is what you need to know about institutional accreditation and what our current status means for you.
What Is Institutional Accreditation?
Institutional accreditation is a quality assurance process conducted by independent accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. It evaluates whether an institution meets defined standards of academic quality, institutional integrity, financial stability, governance, and student outcomes. Accreditation is not a government license — it is an independent peer review process that carries significant weight in the academic and financial aid systems.
Who Grants Accreditation?
Accreditation is granted by accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Regional accreditors (such as SACSCOC, HLC, WASC, and others) are historically the most widely recognized for academic purposes. National accreditors and programmatic accreditors also exist. The recognition of a particular accreditor determines what benefits — including Title IV federal financial aid eligibility — an accredited institution's students may access.
What Our Non-Accredited Status Means for You
Students at I AM University are not eligible to receive Title IV federal financial aid (including Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, and other federal student aid programs). Credits earned at I AM University are not guaranteed to transfer to other institutions — transfer decisions are entirely at the discretion of the receiving institution. Programs offered by I AM University are non-degree programs and are not equivalent to degrees from accredited institutions.
What Our Programs Still Offer
Non-accredited status does not mean low quality. Our programs are designed with rigorous academic standards and are focused on equipping students with genuinely useful knowledge, skills, and formation for leadership. Many students choose our programs for continuing education, professional development, spiritual formation, and personal growth — contexts where accreditation may not be the primary consideration. We are transparent about what we offer and what we do not.
Current Institutional Status
Where We Are Right Now
We are in the foundational phase of a long-term institutional development journey. Here is a clear account of where we currently stand.
Program Type
Non-Degree Educational Programs
All current programs offered by I AM University are non-degree programs, including certificates and continuing education. No associate, bachelor, master, or doctoral degrees are offered at this time.
Accreditation Status
Not Currently Accredited
I AM University has not received institutional accreditation from any U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency. We have not applied for accreditation at this time.
Federal Financial Aid
Title IV Ineligible
Because I AM University is not currently accredited by a recognized accreditor, students are not eligible for federal financial aid programs administered through the U.S. Department of Education.
Transfer Credit
Credit Transfer — What You Need to Know
Credits earned in programs at I AM University may not transfer to other institutions. Whether another institution will accept credits from I AM University is entirely at the discretion of the receiving institution. Students who plan to pursue further education at another institution should contact that institution directly prior to enrolling at I AM University to inquire about their transfer credit policies.
No Guarantee of Transfer
I AM University cannot guarantee that credits earned in its programs will be accepted by any other institution.
Receiving Institution Decides
The decision to accept transfer credit rests solely with the receiving institution and its admissions and registrar offices.
Verify Before You Enroll
If transfer credit is important to your educational goals, we strongly encourage you to verify with your intended receiving institution before enrolling.
Written Policy Available
Our full Transfer Credit Policy is available on our consumer disclosures page and will be provided to all students upon request prior to enrollment.
Our Accreditation Roadmap
What We Are Working Toward
I AM University is actively developing the academic, governance, and compliance infrastructure necessary for future accreditation pathways. Here is an honest account of where we are on that journey.
Phase 1
In ProgressFoundational Infrastructure
Establishing the core academic, governance, and operational infrastructure required before accreditation pursuit can begin. This includes forming our Board of Trustees, developing our Academic Affairs Council, implementing institutional policies across all functional areas, establishing financial controls, and building our faculty development program.
Key Milestones
- Academic Affairs Council constituted
- Core institutional policies documented
- Financial controls and separate accounts established
- Board of Trustees formation in progress
- Faculty credentialing standards published
Phase 2
In ProgressAcademic Development
Developing and refining academic programs to meet the standards required for accreditation review. This includes curriculum alignment to established learning outcome frameworks, faculty credential documentation, student outcome assessment systems, and the development of institutional effectiveness data.
Key Milestones
- Learning outcome frameworks for all programs
- Course-level assessment tools developed
- Institutional effectiveness data collection initiated
- Faculty portfolio and credentialing system
- Student records management system
Phase 3
PlannedAccreditor Research and Selection
Identifying the appropriate accrediting body — regional or national — for I AM University's institutional model and mission, engaging in preliminary consultations with potential accreditors, and developing the institutional self-study documentation required for accreditation application.
Key Milestones
- Accreditor landscape analysis completed
- Preliminary accreditor consultations initiated
- Institutional self-study process begun
- Legal and compliance review conducted
Phase 4
FutureAccreditation Application
Submitting a formal application for initial institutional accreditation, hosting site visit teams, responding to accreditor feedback, and completing the full accreditation review process. This phase will not begin until all prerequisites established in Phases 1–3 are fully satisfied.
Key Milestones
- Formal accreditation application submitted
- Accreditor site visit preparation
- Accreditor review and feedback response
- Accreditation decision
Our Commitment to You
Why We Tell You All of This
Most institutions lead with their accolades and bury their limitations. I AM University does the opposite — and we believe this is the right thing to do.
Because You Deserve It
Every person who considers enrolling at I AM University deserves a complete, honest account of what our institution currently is — and is not — before they invest their time, money, or trust.
Because Integrity Demands It
We are a faith-based institution. If we claim to be committed to truth and character, then our transparency about institutional limitations is not optional — it is an expression of our core values.
Because It Reflects Our Vision
An institution that is honest about where it is today is far more trustworthy in its claims about where it is going. Our transparency is the evidence of our integrity, not merely its declaration.
Our Ongoing Commitment
This accreditation status page will be updated whenever our accreditation status changes — whether that represents progress toward our goals, the achievement of an accreditation milestone, or any other material change in our institutional status.
Last reviewed and updated: May 2026. I AM University reviews the accuracy of all consumer disclosures and institutional status representations on an ongoing basis and is committed to updating this page promptly whenever material changes occur.
Related Consumer Disclosures
The following pages contain additional disclosures and policies that every prospective student should review before enrolling at I AM University.
Consumer Disclosures
Full consumer protection disclosures as required by institutional transparency standards
Transfer Credit Policy
Our policy on the transfer of credits earned at I AM University to other institutions
Refund Policy
Our tuition refund policy, withdrawal procedures, and student financial rights
Financial Aid Information
Information about financial aid availability and our status regarding Title IV federal aid
Institutional Governance
Our governance structure, oversight bodies, and institutional accountability framework
Student Rights & Grievances
Your rights as a student at I AM University and how to file a formal grievance