Accreditation is a process by which colleges and universities are regularly evaluated by third-party agencies to ensure they are meeting standards for educational quality for the degrees they offer.
Augsburg University has been continuously accredited since 1954 by the Higher Learning Commission. The Higher Learning Commission is an institutional accreditation agency that accredits colleges and universities in the United States. HLC conducts periodic reviews of accredited institutions to ensure they are meeting their standards of quality.
Several degree programs at Augsburg are also eligible for accreditation or approval by specialized agencies that ensure the quality of those programs in meeting their professional standards. The following Augsburg programs are accredited or approved by the appropriate agencies.
| Agency | Description | Degree Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) | Global accreditor for business education | MBA BA Accounting, Business Administration (Music Business), Business Administration/Economics, Finance, International Business, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing |
| Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) | Accredits physician assistant programs in the United States | MS Physician Assistant Studies |
| American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) | Advanced the music therapy profession and approves music therapy degree programs | BS Music Therapy Master of Music Therapy |
| American Chemical Society (ACS) | Scientific organization for advancing chemistry practice, approves baccalaureate chemistry programs | BS Chemistry |
| American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (APA-CoA) | Scientific and professional organization for psychology in the United States, accrediting doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology | Doctor of Psychology |
| Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) | National accreditor for baccalaureate, graduate, and residency/fellowship programs in nursing | BS Nursing MA Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice |
| Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) | National accrediting agency for social work education in the United States | Bachelor of Social Work Master of Social Work |
| Minnesota Board of Nursing | State board that approves nursing programs and regulates licensure | DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner |
| National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) | National accreditor for undergraduate, graduate, and other credentials for music and music-related disciplines | BA Music BS Music Therapy Bachelor of Music Master of Music Therapy |
| Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) | Approves programs in Minnesota that prepare candidates for teacher licensure | BA/BS Elementary Education BA English as a Second Language BA Special Education: Academic Behavioral Strategist(See Education Department for full list of approved programs for licensure and endorsements) |
Augsburg University is also an institutional member of the following associations
| Agency | Description |
|---|---|
| American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) | Advances the democratic purposes of higher education by promoting equity, innovation, and excellence in liberal education |
| American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE) | Represents institutions dedicated to high-quality evidence-based preparation of educators who are ready to teach all learners |
| American Association of Higher Education (AAHE) | Dedicated to the advancement of higher education |
| Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC) | Consortium of private liberal arts colleges in the Twin Cities of Minnesota that shares academic programs and promotes student exchange |
| Campus Compact | National coalition of colleges and universities committed to building democracy through civic engagement and community development/td> |
| Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) | Association of independent nonprofit colleges and universities that provides services to improve the quality of education, administrative, and financial performance |
| Lutheran Education Conference of North America (LECNA) | Promotes cooperation among Lutheran colleges and universities in the United States and Canada |
| Minnesota Private College Council | Represents the private liberal arts colleges of Minnesota |
| National Council of Schools of Professional Psychology (NCSPP) | Advances the development of the highest quality of graduate training in professional psychology |
| Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) | Works to ensure quality physician assistant education |
Augsburg University is registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Registration is not an endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other institutions.
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)
Federal regulations require institutions that provide distance education to students residing outside of the institution’s home state to seek state authorization with the states from which they enroll students or participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). SARA is a voluntary agreement among the 49 member states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands that permits certain types of educational activities without requiring institutions to seek state-by-state authorization. Information can be found on the SARA website.
Augsburg University is seeking approval by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education to participate in SARA. Currently, all states except for California are members of SARA. Although California is not part of SARA, California does not regulate out-of-state, non-profit accredited institutions and Augsburg is able to provide distance education to students who are in that state with the caveat that students and institutions are not bound to SARA regulations.