Institutional Accrediting Organizations
Institutional Accrediting Organizations
The accrediting organizations identified in this directory are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Recognition by CHEA affirms that the standards and processes of the accrediting organization are consistent with the academic quality, improvement and accountability expectations that CHEA has established, including the eligibility standard that the majority of institutions or programs each accredits are degree-granting.
Institutional accrediting organizations by type.
Click here to download the complete Directory of CHEA Recognized Organizations as a pdf file.
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Mac Powell, President
428 J Street, Suite 400
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 415-506-0234
Fax: 415-506-0238
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.accjc.org
Initially recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, January 2003
CHEA Recognized Scope of Accreditation
ACCJC accredits institutions in the United States, its territories, and affiliates, with a primary mission of granting associate degrees; institutions accredited by ACCJC may also award certificates and other credentials, including bachelor’s degrees if those credentials are within the institution’s mission and authorized by their governmental authorities. ACCJC may also accredit non-domestic institutions, which have as a primary mission, the granting of associate degrees. (2024)
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
Dr. Michale S. McComis, CEO/President
2101 Wilson Blvd., Ste. 302
Arlington, VA 22201
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.accsc.org
Initially recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, September 2025
CHEA-Recognized Scope of Accreditation
ACCSC accredits postsecondary institutions in the United States and internationally that offer non-degree programs and degree programs, including those granting associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees that are predominantly organized to educate students in career-oriented areas of study to include institutions that offer distance education. (2025)
CIEES, Interinstitutional Committees For The Evaluation Of Higher Education (CIEES)
Eng. Miguel Ángel Tamayo Taypé, General Coordinator
Av. San Jerónimo 120
Col. La Otra Banda, 01090
Álvaro Obregón Mayor's Office
CDMX
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: https://www.ciees.edu.mx
Initially recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, January 2026
CHEA-Recognized Scope of Accreditation
The purpose of CIEES is "to contribute to the enhancement of quality and the continuous improvement of higher education offered in the country and abroad through inter-institutional evaluation, conducted by academic peers, of educational programs and the functions of Higher Education Institutions" (Estatutos CIEES 2024, art. 5). The evaluation activity for accreditation purposes carried out by CIEES encompasses both public and private higher education institutions, as well as educational programs classified within levels 5 to 8 of the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED, 2011) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This activity extends from Mexico to Latin America, with a significant presence in countries such as Peru and Bolivia. (2026)
Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
Leah Matthews, Executive Director
1101 17th Street NW, Suite 808
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-234-5100
Fax: 202-332-1386
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.deac.org
Initially recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, January 2001
CHEA-Recognized Scope of Accreditation
The accreditation of higher learning institutions in the United States and international locations that offer programs of study that are delivered primarily by distance (51 percent or more) and award credentials at the associate, baccalaureate, master’s, first professional and professional doctoral degree level. (2010)
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Barbara Gellman-Danley, President
230 South LaSalle, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1413
Phone: 312-263-0456
Fax: 312-263-7462
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: https://www.hlcommission.org/
Initially recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, January 2003
CHEA Recognized Scope of Accreditation
Degree granting institutions of higher education incorporated in or operating under federal authority in, the United States; and that have a substantial presence, as defined elsewhere in HLC policy, in the United States. This includes degree granting institutions operating within federally authorized sovereign nations that are authorized (licensed) by the same any state within the United States or such federally authorized sovereign nation to award higher degrees (including associate, baccalaureate, master's or doctoral degrees (both research and professional). (2021)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Selena Grace, President
8060 165th Avenue, Suite #100
Redmond, WA 98052
Phone: 452-558-4224
Fax: 425-376-0596
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.nwccu.org
Initially recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, May 2001
CHEA Recognized Scope of Accreditation
The accreditation and preaccreditation (“Candidacy status”) of postsecondary degree-granting educational institutions in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and internationally, and the accreditation of programs offered via distance education within these institutions. (2019)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Dr. Stephen Pruitt, President
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, GA 30033
Phone: 404-679-4500
Fax: 404-679-4528
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.sacscoc.org
Initially recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, January 2003
CHEA Recognized Scope of Accreditation
SACSCOC is an accrediting and pre-accrediting body for degree-granting institutions in the United States and internationally that offer post-secondary education programs, including via distance and correspondence education within these institutions. (2024)