“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”
—Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
Accreditation, Recognition & Global Engagement
Ebed-Melech University is legally authorized under Florida Statute 1005.06(1)(f) to confer faith-based degrees in theology, ministry, wellness, and service leadership. As a religiously exempt institution, we operate with full legal compliance while preserving our commitment to Christ-centered education.
Our academic excellence is grounded in biblical values, global service, and mission-driven leadership. We partner with like-minded colleges, ministries, and outreach organizations worldwide to expand access to faith-based learning, support curriculum innovation, and equip students to lead in ministry, nonprofit work, and trauma recovery.
Through these partnerships and our active memberships in respected educational networks, we uphold a standard of integrity, innovation, and spiritual impact—fulfilling our call to teach, restore, and transform.
Legal Authorization – United States (Florida Religious Exemption)
Ebed-Melech University is legally authorized to operate as a religiously exempt institution under Florida Statute 1005.06(1)(f). This status grants us the authority to offer degrees in religious, theological, and ministry-related disciplines without requiring state licensure or regional accreditation. We maintain full compliance with Florida’s requirements for exemption, including annual affirmation of our academic purpose and curriculum focus. Our religious exemption reflects our commitment to serve students pursuing biblically centered education and careers rooted in faith and service. This designation ensures that we operate lawfully while preserving the freedom to offer programs anchored in Christian worldview.
Global Presence & International Operations
Ebed-Melech Global – International Division & U.K. Headquarters
61 Bridge Street, Kington, Herefordshire, England, United Kingdom
Ebed-Melech University maintains a professional administrative presence in the United Kingdom through its global education office at 61 Bridge Street, Kington, Herefordshire. This strategic European location serves as a key coordination site for international correspondence, academic engagement, and ministry partnership development.
Our UK base enhances our global operations by facilitating cross-cultural training programs, international outreach, and future-facing academic initiatives. While all degree-conferring authority remains under our U.S. ecclesiastical structure, this administrative headquarters strengthens our capacity to serve students and ministry partners worldwide—supporting program expansion in high-impact regions. All degrees are conferred under our U.S. faith-based authorization; the UK office does not function as a degree-granting campus or indicate recognition by UK regulators.
Core Quality Assurance & Recognition Partners
International Accrediting Commission for Digital Education (IACDE)
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Ebed-Melech University is a legally established, faith-based institution operating under religious exemption provisions in the United States. We are honored to serve as the Founding Model Campus for the International Accrediting Commission for Digital Education (IACDE), an independent global accrediting body advancing quality standards for online, hybrid, microcredential, and faith-integrated education worldwide.
While Ebed-Melech University is not accredited by IACDE—to maintain impartial governance and uphold global best practices in accreditation—we align fully with IACDE’s Digital Excellence & Accountability Framework and serve as the operational benchmark for institutions pursuing IACDE recognition. Through this model, EMU leads in advancing accessible, innovative, faith-integrated academic excellence across emerging global contexts. Learn more at www.iacde.org. Ebed-Melech University is not accredited by any USDE- or CHEA-recognized accrediting body at this time.
Empirical Research Institute of Nigeria (ERIN) – Institutional Membership
Abuja, Nigeria
Ebed-Melech University is an official Institutional Member of the Empirical Research Institute of Nigeria (ERIN), a national body dedicated to advancing empirical research, policy development, and scholarly collaboration.
Through this membership, EMU students and faculty gain access to ERIN’s academic resources, training platforms, and international research networks. This affiliation affirms EMU’s commitment to faith-integrated scholarship and expands opportunities for collaborative research, mentorship, and global engagement.
Canvas LMS by Instructure
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
All Ebed-Melech courses are powered by Canvas LMS, providing a secure, intuitive environment for both students and instructors.
Ebed-Melech University delivers its academic programs through Canvas by Instructure, one of the world’s most respected learning management systems. Canvas is used by major universities and institutions across the globe for its intuitive design, secure systems, and flexibility for both faculty and students. By adopting this platform, we ensure that our students experience a professional and user-friendly learning environment that supports success in fully online, self-paced, and instructor-guided courses. Canvas enables us to offer high-quality, faith-based education with 21st-century efficiency.
Curriculum & Ministry Training Partners
Third Millennium Ministries (Thirdmill)
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Ebed-Melech University partners with Third Millennium Ministries (Thirdmill), a trusted provider of biblically grounded curriculum designed to equip Christian leaders around the world. Through this partnership, EMU integrates select Thirdmill resources into its theology and ministry programs to enrich student learning, strengthen doctrinal understanding, and promote practical ministry readiness.
Thirdmill’s theologically sound content enhances EMU’s commitment to academic excellence and spiritual formation. By aligning with organizations that share our values, we ensure students receive rigorous, Christ-centered training rooted in Scripture and applicable across diverse ministry contexts.
Learn more at thirdmill.org
Re-Forma (World Evangelical Alliance Endorsed)
Johannesburg, South Africa (Head Office)
Ebed-Melech University is a recognized training group with Re-Forma, a global ministry training initiative endorsed by the World Evangelical Alliance and serving ministries in over 80 countries. Through this alignment, EMU students enrolled in select theology and ministry programs are eligible to earn the Re-Forma Certificate of Biblical Ministry Training, along with their Ebed-Melech certificate or degree. This internationally respected credential affirms our commitment to practical, outcome-based ministry preparation and supports our mission to deliver accessible, faith-driven theological education with global impact.
The Ebed-Melech Foundation – Strategic Arm for Impact and Growth
Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States
The Ebed-Melech Foundation is the official philanthropic and advancement entity supporting the university’s mission. Incorporated as a Mutual Benefit Nonprofit Corporation in the State of Wyoming, the Foundation extends our reach through scholarships, partnerships, and donor engagement. It administers initiatives such as the Adopt-a-Lion Scholarship Fund, which provides tuition assistance to students pursuing ministry, wellness, or nonprofit leadership. The Foundation also supports community outreach, trauma recovery, and faith-based leadership development. As a strategic pillar of our institution, it ensures long-term sustainability, increased access, and alignment with our mission of education and restoration.
Global Partners & Strategic Memberships
At Ebed-Melech University, we believe that education is most impactful when it is rooted in community, faith, and collaboration. To expand our reach and strengthen our academic and ministry impact, we have established meaningful partnerships with colleges, ministries, and outreach organizations across the globe. These partnerships support dual-enrollment opportunities, curriculum development, faculty exchange, and joint initiatives in wellness, ministry, and trauma recovery. In addition to our global partners, we are active members of several respected networks and professional organizations. These affiliations reflect our commitment to excellence, innovation, and evidence-based engagement in faith-based education. They provide our institution with ongoing access to strategic resources, thought leadership, and best practices in both higher education and ministry-focused learning.
Together, these collaborations and memberships extend the influence of Ebed-Melech University, positioning us as a trusted leader in digital learning, spiritual formation, and global faith-based education.
Accreditation & Authorization – Frequently Asked Questions
Ebed-Melech University is a Christian faith-based institution committed to academic integrity, transparency, and global Kingdom leadership. This FAQ provides clear answers about authorization, accreditation status, and what it means for our students. The following answers are provided to support full transparency for students, families, partners, and regulators.
Is Ebed-Melech University accredited?
No. EMU is not yet accredited by a U.S. Department of Education (USDE) or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognized accrediting agency.
We currently operate as a faith-based, religiously exempt institution and are building the academic foundation required for future accreditation.
What does “religiously exempt” mean?
EMU is legally authorized under Florida Statute 1005.06(1)(f) to offer Christian degrees. This is a legitimate state authorization for faith-based institutions.
Religious exemption is an authorization to operate—it does not equal academic accreditation.
Are EMU degrees valid and is the university operating legally?
Yes. EMU operates legally as a Christian university in Florida. Our degrees are valid credentials designed for ministry, nonprofit leadership, Christian education, and faith-integrated practice.
Recognition of degrees always depends on the receiving institution, employer, or licensing body.
Will my credits from EMU transfer to another university?
Credit transfer is determined by the receiving college or university. Because EMU is not yet accredited, transfer is not guaranteed.
Students planning to continue their education should check with the intended institution before enrolling.
Does EMU offer federal financial aid?
No. As a non-accredited institution, EMU is not eligible for federal student aid programs.
Students may use payment plans, ministry support, employer reimbursement, private scholarships, or internal EMU scholarships such as the Adopt-a-Lion Scholarship.
Is EMU pursuing accreditation?
Yes. EMU is strengthening academic governance, student learning assessment, faculty qualifications, and compliance systems to prepare for a future accreditation pathway aligned with:
• our Christian mission
• our fully online global model
• our focus on ministry, service, and faith-based scholarship
How does EMU ensure academic quality without accreditation?
EMU maintains quality through:
• Courses delivered via Canvas LMS
• Qualified faculty with graduate and doctoral degrees
• Standard syllabi with measurable learning outcomes
• Annual curriculum review & continuous improvement
• Ethics Review Board for research oversight
• Growing global academic advisory partners
What partnerships or recognitions does EMU have?
EMU partners with mission-aligned organizations including serving as a Founding Model Campus for the International Accrediting Commission for Digital Education (IACDE), and participates in Christian higher education and ministry networks.
These recognitions support quality and innovation but are not USDE-recognized accreditation.
Who can I contact with questions about accreditation?
Accreditation & Compliance Office
Ebed-Melech University
Email: accreditation@ebedmelech.ac
“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
— Romans 12:4-5 (NIV)