Accrediting Agencies
A list of higher education accrediting agencies found in the United States.
Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidacy" status) throughout the United States of first-professional master's degree and professional master's level certificate and diploma programs in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, as well as freestanding institutions and colleges of acupuncture or Oriental medicine that offer such programs.
Accreditation Council for Pharmacy EducationScope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation of professional degree programs in pharmacy leading to the degree of Doctor of Pharmacy.
Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools Scope of recognition: the accreditation of private, postsecondary institutions in the United States offering predominantly allied health education programs and the programmatic accreditation of medical assistant, medical laboratory technician and surgical technology programs, leading to a certificate, diploma, or the Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Occupational Science degrees.
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of TechnologyScope of recognition: the accreditation of private, postsecondary, non-degree-granting institutions and degree-granting institutions in the United States, including those granting associate, baccalaureate and master's degrees, that are predominantly organized to educate students for occupational, trade and technical careers, and including institutions that offer programs via distance education.
Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training Scope of recognition: the accreditation of institutions of higher education throughout the United States that offer non-collegiate continuing education programs and those that offer occupational associate degree programs and those that offer such programs via distance education.
Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools Scope of recognition: the accreditation of private postsecondary institutions offering certificates or diplomas, and postsecondary institutions offering associate, bachelor's, or master's degrees in programs designed to educate students for professional, technical, or occupational careers, including those that offer those programs via distance education.
American Academy for Liberal Education Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidacy for Accreditation") of institutions of higher education and programs within institutions of higher education throughout the United States that offer liberal arts degree(s) at the baccalaureate level or a documented equivalency.
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidacy") throughout the United States of clinical training programs in marriage and family therapy at the master's, doctoral, and postgraduate levels.
American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the BarScope of recognition: the accreditation throughout the United States of programs in legal education that lead to the first professional degree in law, as well as freestanding law schools offering such programs.
American Board of Funeral Service Education, Committee on AccreditationScope of recognition: the accreditation of institutions and programs within the United States awarding diplomas, associate degrees and bachelor's degrees in funeral service or mortuary science.
American College of Nurse-Midwives, Division of AccreditationScope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation of basic certificate, basic graduate nurse-midwifery, direct entry midwifery, and pre-certification nurse-midwifery education programs. The accreditation and pre-accreditation of freestanding institutions of midwifery education that may offer other related health care programs to include nurse practitioner programs, and including those institutions and programs that offer distance education.
American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation Scope of recognition: the accreditation of pre-doctoral dental education programs (leading to the D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree), advanced dental education programs, and allied dental education programs that are fully operational or have attained "Initial Accreditation" status, including programs offered via distance education.
American Dietetic Association, Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education Scope of recognition: the accreditation within the United States of Didactic and Coordinated Programs in Dietetics at both the undergraduate and graduate level, post-baccalaureate Dietetic Internships, and Dietetic Technician Programs at the associate degree level and for its accreditation of such programs offered via distance education.
American Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education Scope of recognition: the accreditation of entry-level professional occupational therapy educational programs offering the Baccalaureate Degree, Post-baccalaureate Certificate, Professional Master's Degree, Combined Baccalaureate/ Master's degree, and Doctoral Degree for the accreditation of occupational therapy assistant programs offering the Associate Degree or a Certificate; and for its accreditation of these programs offered via distance education.
American Optometric Association, Accreditation Council on Optometric EducationScope of recognition: the accreditation in the United States of professional optometric degree programs, optometric technician (associate degree) programs, and optometric residency programs and for the pre-accreditation categories of Preliminary Approval and Reasonable Assurance for professional optometric degree programs and Candidacy Pending for optometric residency programs in Veterans' Administration facilities.
American Osteopathic Association, Commission on Osteopathic College AccreditationScope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Provisional Accreditation") throughout the United States of freestanding, public and private non-profit institutions of osteopathic medicine and programs leading to the degree of Doctor of Osteopathy or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidate for Accreditation") in the United States of physical therapist education programs leading to the first professional degree at the master's or doctoral level and physical therapist assistant education programs at the associate degree level and for its accreditation of such programs offered via distance education.
American Podiatric Medical Association, Council on Podiatric Medical EducationScope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidate Status") throughout the United States of freestanding colleges of podiatric medicine and programs of podiatric medicine, including first professional programs leading to the degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.
American Psychological Association, Committee on AccreditationScope of recognition: the accreditation in the United States of doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, school and combined professional-scientific psychology; predoctoral internship programs in professional psychology; and postdoctoral residency programs in professional psychology.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language PathologyScope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation (Accreditation Candidate) throughout the United States of education programs in audiology and speech-language pathology leading to the first professional or clinical degree at the master's or doctoral level, and the accreditation of these programs offered via distance education.
American Veterinary Medical Association, Council on EducationScope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Reasonable Assurance") in the United States of programs leading to professional degrees (D.V.M. or D.M.V.) in veterinary medicine.
Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidate for Accreditation") of Bible colleges and institutes in the United States offering undergraduate programs.
Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc., Accreditation CommissionScope of recognition: the accreditation of both clinical pastoral education (CPE) centers and CPE and Supervisory CPE programs located within the United States and territories.
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education Scope of recognition: the accreditation throughout the United States of graduate programs in health services administration.
Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological SchoolsScope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidate for Accredited Membership") of theological schools and seminaries, as well as schools or programs that are parts of colleges or universities, in the United States, offering post baccalaureate degrees in professional and academic theological education, including delivery via distance education.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing EducationScope of recognition: the accreditation of nursing education programs in the United States, at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels.
Commission on English Language Program Accreditation Scope of recognition: the accreditation of postsecondary, non-degree-granting English language programs and institutions in the United States.
Commission on Massage Therapy AccreditationScope of recognition: the accreditation of institutions in the United States, that award postsecondary certificates, postsecondary diplomas, and academic Associate degrees, in the practice of massage therapy and bodywork.
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational ProgramsScope of recognition: the accreditation of institutions and programs of nurse anesthesia within the United States at the post-master's certificate, master's, or doctoral degree levels.
Council on Education for Public HealthScope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("pre-accreditation status") within the United States of graduate schools of public health, graduate programs in community health education outside schools of public health, and graduate programs in community health/preventive medicine outside schools of public health.
Council on Naturopathic Medical Education Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation throughout the United States of graduate-level, four-year naturopathic medical education programs leading to the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.M.D.) or Doctor of Naturopathy (N.D.)
Council on Occupational EducationScope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidacy status") throughout the United States of non-degree granting postsecondary occupational/vocational institutions and those postsecondary occupational/vocational education institutions that have state authorization to grant the applied associate degree in specific vocational/occupational fields.
Distance Education and Training Council, Accrediting CommissionScope of recognition: the accreditation of postsecondary institutions in the United States that offer degree programs primarily by the distance education method up to and including the professional doctoral degree, and are specifically certified by the agency as accredited for Title IV purposes; and for the accreditation of postsecondary institutions in the United States not participating in Title IV that offer programs primarily by the distance education method up through the professional doctoral degrees.
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic TechnologyScope of recognition: the accreditation of educational programs in radiography, including magnetic resonance, radiation therapy, and medical dosimetry, at the certificate, associate, and baccalaureate levels.
Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology Scope of recognition: the accreditation of higher education programs for the nuclear medicine technologist.
Liaison Committee on Medical EducationScope of recognition: the accreditation of medical education programs within the United States leading to the M.D. degree.
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Middle States Commission on Higher Education Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidacy status") of institutions of higher education in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including distance education programs offered at those institutions.
Midwifery Education Accreditation CouncilScope of recognition: the accreditation throughout the United States of direct-entry midwifery educational institutions and programs conferring degrees and certificates, including the accreditation of such programs offered via distance education.
Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education, Commission on Accreditation Scope of recognition: The accreditation of Montessori teacher education institutions and programs throughout the United States.
National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences Scope of recognition: the accreditation of postsecondary schools and departments of cosmetology arts and sciences and massage therapy.
National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, Council on AccreditationScope of recognition: the accreditation of women's health nurse practitioner programs located within the United States and its territories.
National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation Scope of recognition: the accreditation throughout the United States of institutions and units within institutions offering degree-granting and non-degree-granting programs in art and design and art and design-related disciplines.
National Association of Schools of Dance, Commission on Accreditation Scope of recognition: the accreditation throughout the United States of institutions, and units within institutions offering, degree-granting and non-degree-granting programs in dance and dance-related disciplines.
National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation, Commission on Non-Degree-Granting Accreditation, Commission on Community/Junior College AccreditationScope of recognition: the accreditation throughout the United States of institutions, and units within institutions, offering degree-granting and non-degree granting programs in music and music-related disciplines, including community/junior colleges and independent degree-granting and non-degree-granting institutions.
National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation Scope of recognition: the accreditation throughout the United States of institutions, and units within institutions, offering degree-granting and non-degree-granting programs in theatre and theatre-related disciplines.
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher EducationScope of recognition: the accreditation throughout the United States of professional education units providing baccalaureate and graduate degree programs for the preparation of teachers and other professional personnel for elementary and secondary schools, including programs offering distance education.
National League for Nursing Accrediting CommissionScope of recognition: the accreditation in the United States of programs in practical nursing, and diploma, associate, baccalaureate and higher degree nurse education programs.
New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher EducationScope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidacy status") of institutions of higher education in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont that award bachelor's, master's, and/or doctoral degrees and associate degree-granting institutions in those states that include degrees in liberal arts or general studies among their offerings, including the accreditation of programs offered via distance education within these institutions. This recognition extends to the Board of Trustees of the Association jointly with the Commission for decisions involving pre-accreditation, initial accreditation, and adverse actions.
New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Technical and Career InstitutionsScope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidate status") of secondary institutions with vocational-technical programs at the 13th and 14th grade level, postsecondary institutions, and 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. This recognition extends to the Board of Trustees of the Association jointly with the Commission for decisions involving pre-accreditation, initial accreditation, and adverse actions.
New York State Board of Regents, and the Commissioner of EducationScope of recognition: the accreditation of those degree-granting institutions of higher education in New York that designate the agency as their sole or primary nationally recognized accrediting agency for purposes of establishing eligibility to participate in HEA programs.
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning CommissionScope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidate for Accreditation") of 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, Wyoming, including schools of the Navajo Nation and the accreditation of such programs offered via distance education within these institutions.
Northwest Commission on Colleges and UniversitiesScope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidacy status") of postsecondary educational institutions in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington and the accreditation of such programs offered via distance education within these institutions.
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on CollegesScope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidate for Accreditation") of degree-granting institutions of higher education in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, including distance education programs offered at those institutions.
Teacher Education Accreditation Council, Accreditation CommitteeScope of recognition: for the accreditation and pre-accreditation throughout the United States of professional teacher education programs in institutions offering baccalaureate and graduate degrees for the preparation of K-12 teachers.
The Council on Chiropractic Education, Commission on Accreditation Scope of recognition: the accreditation of programs leading to the Doctor of Chiropractic degree and single-purpose institutions offering the Doctor of Chiropractic program.
Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation CommissionScope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidate" status) of postsecondary institutions in the United States that offer certificates, diplomas, and associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees, including institutions that offer distance education.
Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior CollegesScope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidate for Accreditation") of 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 Marianna Islands, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the accreditation of such programs offered via distance education at these colleges.
Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidate for Accreditation") of 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, including distance education programs offered at those institutions.