Accreditation Answers

United States Regional Accrediting Associations

The following accrediting associations are recognized by the USDE and CHEA and accredit entire institutions (as opposed to individual programs) in the United States. (See Recognized Accrediting Organizations chart that compares USDE recognized accrediting organizations with those recognized by CHEA.)

Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA), Commission on Higher Education
Accredits institutions of higher education in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE)
Accredits institutions of higher education in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Technical and Career Institutions (NEASC-CTCI)
Accredits secondary institutions with vocational-technical programs at the 13th and 14th grade level, postsecondary institutions of higher education that provide primarily vocational/technical education at the certificate, associate, and baccalaureate degree levels in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC)
Accredits degree-granting institutions of higher education in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, including schools of the Navaho Nation.

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Accredits postsecondary educational institutions in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Commission on Colleges
Accredits degree-granting institutions of higher education in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (WASC-ACCJC)
Accredits community and junior colleges located in California, Hawaii, the United States territories of Guam and American Samoa, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities (WASC-ACSCU)
Accredits senior colleges and universities in California, Hawaii, the United States territories of Guam and American Samoa, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

United States National Accrediting Associations

The following national accrediting associations are recognized by either or both CHEA and USDE. They accredit entire institutions, individual programs within accredited institutions, and independent schools and colleges in the United States. (See Recognized Accrediting Organizations chart that compares USDE recognized accrediting organizations with those recognized by CHEA.)

Because accrediting recognition status can change at any time, please check with either the USDE or CHEA for the most current recognition status of accreditation agencies.

Nationally Recognized Accrediting Bodies - recognized by USDE

National Accrediting Organizations - recognized by CHEA - Includes the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)

United States Specialized/Professional Accrediting Associations

The following specialized/professional accrediting associations are recognized by either or both CHEA and USDE. They accredit entire institutions, individual programs within accredited institutions, and independent schools and colleges in the United States. (See Recognized Accrediting Organizations chart that compares USDE recognized accrediting organizations with those recognized by CHEA.)

Because accrediting recognition status can change at any time, please check with either the USDE or CHEA for the most current recognition status of accreditation agencies.

National Institutional and Specialized Accrediting Bodies – recognized by USDE

Specialized and Professional Accrediting Organizations - recognized by CHEA