About Us # Accreditation # Accreditation Accreditation is an independent evaluation of educational quality and rigor. Learn more about the value of University of Phoenix accreditation and how it benefits our students. [Request information](/request/request-information/) ## Accredited for 45+ years Since 1978, University of Phoenix has maintained institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit degree-granting colleges and universities. In 2022-2023, our accreditation was continued for a 10-year period, and our next comprehensive evaluation for reaffirmation of our accreditation is scheduled for 2032-2033. ## Institutional accreditation University of Phoenix has been continually accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), [hlcommission.org](https://hlcommission.org/) since 1978. University of Phoenix Accreditation by Higher Learning Commission ## Highlights from Higher Learning Commission Criteria for Accreditation ### Mission The institution’s mission is clear and articulated publicly; it guides the institution’s operations. ### Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct The institution acts with integrity; its conduct is ethical and responsible. ### Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support The institution provides quality education, wherever and however its offerings are delivered. Sourced from[hlcommission.org](https://hlcommission.org) ## What is accreditation? Accreditation is a process of external quality review to evaluate an institution against its own mission and the accreditor's Criteria for Accreditation and confirm that it accomplishes what it claims. Institutional accreditation evaluates and accredits an institution, such as a university or college, as a whole. It evaluates various aspects, including the institution’s mission, educational programs, faculty qualifications, student support services and overall organizational effectiveness. Programmatic accreditation focuses on specific academic programs within an institution. It assesses whether these programs meet established standards for curriculum, faculty qualifications, student learning outcomes, resources and other criteria specific to the field of study. Programmatic accreditation is common in professional or specialized fields such as business, nursing and counseling. Learn more about[programmatic accreditation](#programmatic). ## Why is accreditation valuable? Accreditation holds several key benefits for students: ### Quality assurance Accreditation verifies that an institution or program meets recognized standards of quality, ensuring that you receive a high-caliber education. ### Transfer credits Accreditation serves as an important factor in credit transfer by establishing a common benchmark for educational quality and standards. Institutions accredited by recognized agencies are generally considered more reliable in terms of the quality of their courses and degrees, which can facilitate smoother credit transfer processes between institutions. Ultimately, it’s the receiving institution that makes decisions regarding the acceptance of transfer credits. ### Financial aid Many financial aid programs, including federal grants and loans, require students to attend accredited institutions or programs. ### Employer recognition Employers typically give preference to degrees from accredited institutions because accreditation acts as a reliable marker of quality, signaling that the education meets established standards. This especially applies in professions where graduates are required to come from programmatically accredited programs. ### Explore ways to save on your education and get the credit you deserve. [Try our Savings Explorer® Tool](https://www.phoenix.edu/cost-savings) ## What are the different types of accreditation we have? We are an accredited university with institutional accreditation. Additionally, some of our programs also hold programmatic accreditation, which is an extra layer of specialized accreditation that reinforces the quality of certain degree programs. Learn more about our programs with programmatic accreditation below: ### Business accreditation The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) has accredited 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 Accounting Fundamentals* - [Associate of Arts with a concentration in Business Fundamentals](/online-business-degrees/business-fundamentals-associate-degree.html) - [Bachelor of Science in Accounting](/online-business-degrees/accounting-bachelors-degree.html) - [Bachelor of Science in Business](/online-business-degrees/business-bachelors-degree.html) - [Master of Business Administration](/online-business-degrees/master-business-administration-degree.html) - [Master of Management](/online-business-degrees/management-masters-degree.html) - Master of Science in Accountancy* - [Doctor of Business Administration](/online-business-degrees/business-administration-doctoral-degree.html) - [Doctor of Management](/online-business-degrees/management-doctoral-degree.html)  _*These programs are not available for new enrollments._ For additional information, visit acbsp.org.   Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)  8101 College Blvd #100 Overland Park, KS 66210 ### Healthcare accreditation The[Master of Health Administration (MHA)](/online-healthcare-degrees/health-administration-masters-degree.html)program is programmatically accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).  For additional information, visit cahme.org or call 301-298-1820. Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)  PO Box 911  Spring House, PA 19477  [Explore all healthcare programs](/online-healthcare-degrees.html) ### Nursing accreditation The [baccalaureate degree program in nursing](/online-nursing-degrees/rn-to-bsn.html), [master’s degree program in nursing](/online-nursing-degrees/masters.html), and [Doctor of Nursing Practice](/online-nursing-degrees/nursing-practice-doctoral-degree.html) program at University of Phoenix are accredited by the [Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education](https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE), 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. ### Counseling accreditation The Master of Science in Counseling program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the Phoenix Campus[[1]](#disclaimer1)and the[Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling online program](/online-behavioral-sciences-degrees/counseling-clinical-mental-health-masters-degree.html)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.** [1]_The Master of Science in Counseling program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the Phoenix Campus is not available for new enrollments._ ### Social work accreditation University of Phoenix’s[Bachelor of Science in Social Work](/online-behavioral-sciences-degrees/social-work-bachelors-degree.html)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](https://www.cswe.org/accreditation/about/directory/?). For more information about social work accreditation, contact[CSWE’s Department of Social Work Accreditation](mailto:accreditation@cswe.org). ### Earn career-relevant skills in weeks — not years. [Find your program](/online-degrees/find-your-program.html) ## Licensures and affiliations - University of Phoenix is licensed by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education. - University of Phoenix is a SARA participating institution. The University is approved by the[Arizona SARA Council](https://azsara.arizona.edu/institutions). The University has reciprocity with other SARA participating states for its distance education programs. - University of Phoenix is registered as an out of state institution with the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education for purposes of providing distance education to California residents. ### Affiliations University of Phoenix also maintains voluntary memberships with numerous organizations, including: #### INSTITUTIONAL - American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers - American Council on Education® - Arizona Veterans Programs Association - Association of Veterans Education Certifying Officials - Council for Adult and Experiential Learning - Council for Higher Education Accreditation® - Council of College and Military Educators - EDUCAUSE - National Association of Colleges and Employers®  - National Association of Military Institutions for Military Education Services - National Association of Veterans Program Administrators - Online Learning Consortium™ - Pacific Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers - Postsecondary Electronic Standards Council - University Professional and Continuing Education Association® - Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education Cooperative for Educational Technologies #### DOCTORAL STUDIES - International Leadership Association #### BUSINESS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - American Institute of CPAs® - Computing Technology Industry Association - Human Resources Certification Institute - International Council of E-Commerce Consultants - Society for Human Resource Management® #### EDUCATION - Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation - International Society for Technology in Education® - National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification #### HEALTH PROFESSIONS - American College of Healthcare Executives Higher Education Network - Association of University Programs in Health Administration - Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, Inc.® #### NURSING - American Association of Colleges of Nursing - American Association of Nurse Practitioners - American Organization for Nursing Leadership - National League for Nursing #### SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES - Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences - National Board for Certified Counselors™ - Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration American Council on Education is a registered trademark of the American Council on Education. Council for Higher Education Accreditation is a registered trademark of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. ## Let’s explore degree options that align with your career goals. [Call 800-546-8071](tel:18005468071)[Request info](/request/request-information/) ## Questions other students are asking ### What is an accredited university? An accredited university is an institution that has been officially recognized by an independent accrediting body. This recognition means that the university has met specific standards of educational quality and operates at a high level of academic integrity. ### How does my school’s status as an accredited university help me in my career? Employers typically respect higher education degrees from accredited institutions more than degrees from non-accredited institutions. For certain professions, graduation from a program with specialized or programmatic accreditation is required. ### What does it mean to be an accredited university? Institutional accreditation means a university has successfully gone through a rigorous review process and has proven that its curriculum, faculty and student services are of high quality and consistently meet or exceed the criteria set by the independent accrediting body.