CHICAGO (CN) – The Seventh Circuit ruled Tuesday that Illinois may prohibit Bible colleges from granting “degrees” if the schools refuse to comply with the state’s accreditation process.
The Illinois Bible Colleges Association sued the state in 2015, claiming that its Board of Higher Education violated the First Amendment by prohibiting its members from issuing degrees.
The state’s 15 Bible colleges may offer diplomas or certificates to students who complete coursework, but they claim they have a right to issue bachelor’s and master’s degrees and Ph.D.s without state approval.
