Olivet University Keeps Religious Accreditation

Olivet University, a California-based Bible college, will maintain its national accreditation for another year, according to the school’s accreditor, the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) despite state and federal investigations into the university’s activities and the fact that it faces a number of legal challenges.

The decision, dated February 11, saves the school from being without an accreditor and jeopardizing its ability to host international students.

Founded in 2000 by South Korean Cleric David Jang, Olivet University operates in the rural, high desert town of Anza, California with satellite campuses in Florida, Missouri, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C. It offers degrees from the bachelor’s to doctoral level, according to ABHE. Many of its students are from overseas.

Under the heading “Remove Order to Show Cause and Continue Accreditation,” ABHE said its decision was “in light of the Commission on Accreditation’s judgment that the institution is in substantial compliance with ABHE Standards, but that a monitoring report is needed to verify that reaffirmation of accreditation is warranted.” ABHE had ordered Olivet to show cause on why it should remain accredited early in 2025.

Olivet’s accreditation remains in effect till February 28, 2027. Neither ABHE nor Olivet University responded to Newsweek’s request for comment.

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This photo, taken on April 18, 2024, features a sign outside Olivet University’s flagship campus in the rural high desert town of Anza, California. Ol...Read More | Alex J. Rouhandeh/Newsweek/Alex J. Rouhandeh/Newsweek

On its website, Olivet University said “By the grace of God, the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) announced after the 2026 Annual Meeting that Olivet University is in good standing.”

The school currently operates under a religious exemption after California Administrative Law Judge Debra Nye-Perkins ruled in December 2024 that the school committed 14 violations brought by the state’s Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. In July of 2022, New York revoked Olivet’s ability to operate credit-bearing courses or programs in the state. The only courses for which Olivet is accredited by ABHE are for those related to religion.

Olivet University holds ties to the World Olivet Assembly (WOA), a global denomination of evangelical churches. Olivet has been dogged by legal troubles for a decade and has denied all of the criminal and civil allegations brought against it.

Newsweek’s two owners are former members of the Olivet faith. The newsroom has independently reported on Jang, Olivet, and its affiliates. Some of this reporting has been the subject of lawsuits, which continue to be litigated in court. Olivet has accused Newsweek of weaponizing its newsroom, an accusation Newsweek has denied.

The Department of Homeland Security declined to bring charges against Olivet University last year after investigating allegations of money laundering, visa fraud, and human and labor trafficking, but it still faces a civil action by four students who say they were lured to the school under false pretenses and forced into labor to pay off outstanding debts. 

The school states it remains committed “to continuing its mission and activities” and has denied wrongdoing.