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[HER] Higher Ed Review A practical guide to verifying college accreditation Contact [email protected]

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Accreditation verification glossary

Accurate accreditation verification requires understanding the specific meaning of the terms used in accreditation records, regulatory documents, and institutional disclosures. The definitions below are tied to their operational significance in the verification process.

ACBSP The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accredits the following programs offered by the College of Business and Information Technology or the College of Doctoral Studies.

  • Associate of Arts with a concentration in Business Fundamentals

  • Bachelor of Science in Accounting

  • Bachelor of Science in Business

  • Master of Business Administration

  • Master of Management

  • Doctor of Business Administration

  • Doctor of Management

For additional information, visit acbsp.org or call (913) 339-9356.

Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

8101 College Blvd #100

Overland Park, KS 66210

ACBSP Accredited Program seal .

CACREP

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. The Master of Science in Counseling program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the Phoenix Campus and the Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling online program are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP®).

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
500 Montgomery Street, Suite 350
Alexandria, VA 22314

For additional information please visit cacrep.org.

CACREP Accredited seal

CCNE

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at University of Phoenix are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education , 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

CCNE Accredited seal

CSWE

University of Phoenix’s Bachelor of Science in Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA). Accreditation of a social work program by the BOA indicates that it meets or exceeds standards of program quality evaluated through a peer review accreditation process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals, and the BOA has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all accreditation standards. Accreditation applies to all program options, which include locations and delivery methods. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.

Review our program’s accredited status in CSWE’s Directory of Accredited Programs. For more information about social work accreditation, contact CSWE’s Department of Social Work Accreditation.

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Board of Accreditation seal

DAPIP

Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs. The U.S. Department of Education’s federal accreditation database, available at ope.ed.gov/dapip. The primary federal source for verifying whether an institution holds recognized accreditation. Every Title IV-participating institution must maintain current accreditation records in DAPIP. Absence from DAPIP with a recognized accreditor means the institution’s accreditation cannot be verified through the federal database.

HLC

Higher Learning Commission. An institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. HLC accredits colleges and universities in a 19-state region of the United States and was historically one of the six institutional accreditors. Following the 2020 federal policy change, HLC is formally described as an institutional accreditor. University of Phoenix has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), hlcommission.org, since 1978, and its accreditation was reaffirmed in 2023.

Notice

A formal public action by the Higher Learning Commission signaling concerns about the direction of an institution’s compliance with HLC criteria. A Notice a public sanction. It triggers heightened monitoring and requires the institution to address the identified concerns. It is distinct from, and less severe than, probation or show cause. University of Phoenix received a Notice in 2013 that was subsequently removed in 2015. The Notice did not result in probation, show cause, or loss of accreditation.

Open Pathway

One of two evaluation pathways used by HLC for its member institutions. The Open Pathway uses a ten-year evaluation cycle combining periodic assurance reviews, a quality initiative project of the institution’s choosing, and a comprehensive evaluation at the end of the cycle. HLC reaffirmed University of Phoenix accreditation in 2023; the next comprehensive evaluation is scheduled for 2032–2033.

Probation

A formal adverse accreditation action by HLC that identifies significant noncompliance with HLC criteria. Probation is more serious than a Notice and carries different implications, including requirements for documented corrective action and the possibility of escalation to show cause or withdrawal if the noncompliance is not addressed. University of Phoenix was never placed on HLC probation. The 2013 HLC Notice was not probation.

Recognized accreditor

An accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as meeting federal criteria for reliability and rigor. A list of recognized accreditors is maintained by the Department of Education and can be cross-referenced in DAPIP. Institutional accreditation from a recognized accreditor is required for Title IV federal student aid eligibility. HLC is a recognized institutional accreditor.

Show cause

A formal adverse accreditation action more severe than probation, requiring an institution to demonstrate to the accreditor why its accreditation should not be withdrawn. Show cause typically follows a finding that probation has not resulted in adequate improvement. University of Phoenix has not been issued a show cause order by HLC.

Statement of Accreditation Status

The formal document published by HLC for each of its member institutions, showing the institution’s current accreditation status, pathway, most recent reaffirmation date and outcome, next evaluation schedule, and any public notices or formal actions. The Statement of Accreditation Status is available for each HLC member institution at hlcommission.org and is the accreditor’s own authoritative record of the institution’s accreditation history.

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