Supporting Faith-Based Higher Education: How Expert Librarians Enhance Student Success and Institutional Missions

Written By Natasa Doten Hogue

Faith-based higher education institutions play a vital role in shaping students academically, spiritually, and ethically. To maintain academic integrity and institutional credibility, many faith-related colleges and universities seek accreditation from organizations recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). These accrediting bodies ensure that institutions uphold rigorous academic standards while remaining true to their religious missions.

National Faith-Related Accrediting Organizations Recognized by CHEA

CHEA recognizes several faith-related accrediting organizations that oversee religious institutions offering higher education degrees. Some of the key accrediting bodies include:

  • Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) – Accredits institutions that offer theological and ministry-related programs with a focus on biblical teachings.

  • Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) – Serves Christian institutions emphasizing biblical foundations and academic excellence.

  • Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) – Accredits seminaries and graduate schools specializing in theological education.

  • Association of Theological Schools (ATS) – Focuses on the accreditation of graduate theological schools preparing students for religious leadership.

These organizations ensure that faith-based institutions maintain high academic standards while integrating theological education, ethical leadership, and spiritual development.

How Expert Librarians Support Faith-Based Institutions

Accreditation is just one piece of the puzzle. To fully support students and faculty, expert librarians play a crucial role in enhancing student services, strengthening research initiatives, and integrating information literacy into faith-based education. Here’s how:

1. Enhancing Student Services with Specialized Databases

Librarians curate and manage specialized theological and religious studies databases that provide access to scholarly articles, primary religious texts, and theological research. Popular databases include:

  • ATLA Religion Database – A premier index for religious and theological studies.

  • Christian Periodical Index – Covers articles from evangelical Christian journals.

  • Old and New Testament Abstracts – Provides biblical scholarship resources.

  • Religious and Theological Abstracts – Offers summaries of journal articles on religious studies, biblical theology, and ministerial training.

  • Education Source – Supports educators teaching in religious schools with materials on curriculum design, pedagogy, and faith-integrated instruction.

  • Ministry Matters – Provides resources for pastoral leadership, sermon preparation, and ministry development.

By ensuring students and educators have access to the best resources, librarians directly contribute to academic success and spiritual growth.

2. Implementing Information Literacy Frameworks

Librarians guide students in developing strong research skills within a faith-based academic environment. Implementing information literacy frameworks tailored to religious studies allows students to:

  • Evaluate theological sources for credibility and authenticity.

  • Understand the historical and cultural contexts of religious texts.

  • Differentiate between scholarly theological arguments and doctrinal interpretations.

By fostering critical thinking and ethical research practices, librarians empower students to engage deeply with religious scholarship.

3. Aligning Research Goals to Institutional Mission

Every faith-based institution has a unique mission, whether it focuses on ministry preparation, theological scholarship, or faith-integrated professional education. Librarians work closely with faculty and administrators to:

  • Develop research initiatives that align with institutional religious values.

  • Curate collections that reflect theological diversity while remaining true to institutional doctrine.

  • Support faculty in integrating faith-based perspectives into research and curriculum development.

By acting as stewards of knowledge, librarians help ensure that research supports both academic excellence and the institution’s spiritual vision.

Conclusion

Faith-related accrediting organizations play a crucial role in upholding academic and theological standards within religious institutions. However, the success of students and faculty depends not only on accreditation but also on having a robust support system that includes expert library services.

Librarians contribute significantly by providing access to specialized databases, developing information literacy frameworks, and aligning research goals with institutional missions. Their expertise ensures that faith-based education remains academically rigorous while preserving the spiritual and ethical foundations that define these institutions.

For faith-based colleges and seminaries seeking to strengthen their academic and theological programs, investing in expert library services is a crucial step toward fostering a well-rounded, informed, and mission-driven learning environment.

#FaithBasedEducation #HigherEd #AcademicExcellence #LibraryServices #Accreditation #InformationLiteracy

Natasa Doten Hogue
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