Accrediting Decisions of Other Agencies

In accord with Federal code §602.28, The Commission on Colleges and Universities observes the following policy concerning the accrediting decisions of other agencies:

The Commission does not grant candidacy, initial accreditation, or reaffirmation to an institution if The Commission knows, or has reason to know, that the institution is the subject of the following:

1. A pending or final action brought by a State agency to suspend, revoke, withdraw, or terminate the institution’s legal authority to provide postsecondary education in the State;
2. A decision by another United States Department of Education (USDE)-recognized agency to deny accreditation or candidacy;
3. A pending or final action brought by another USDE-recognized accrediting agency to suspend, revoke, withdraw, or terminate the institution’s accreditation or candidacy; or
4. Probation or an equivalent status imposed by a USDE-recognized accrediting agency.

1. If The Commission is notified that an institution is a subject of any of the provisions outlined above, The Commission staff will request that the institution provide all reports from the agency referred to in any of the points 1-4 above, and will consider whether the other agency’s action resulted from a deficiency which calls into question the institution’s compliance with the Principles of Accreditation.
2. If, after reviewing the materials, The Commission acts to grant candidacy or initial accreditation to the institution, the President of The Commission will provide to the U.S. Secretary of Education, within 30 days of The Commission Board of Trustees action, a thorough and reasonable explanation why the action of the other agency did not preclude The Commission from awarding candidacy or initial accreditation. If, after reviewing the materials, The Commission finds that the deficiencies cited by the other agency calls into question the institution’s compliance with standards applicable to its status with The Commission, the President of The Commission may refer the case to C & R or authorize a Special Committee to review the institution. Action regarding the institution’s continuing candidacy or any future recognition will be made by The Commission Board of Trustees.
3. If The Commission learns that a candidate or member institution is the subject of adverse action by another USDE- recognized accrediting agency or has been placed on Probation, or an equivalent status, by another USDE-recognized accrediting agency, The Commission staff will request that the institution provide all related reports from the agency. Following review of the reports, The Commission will determine one of the following: (1) that the reasons for adverse action or Probation or equivalent status do not support a recommendation of adverse action or the imposition of Probation or Warning, (2) that the reasons for adverse action or Probation or equivalent status warrant the authorization of a Special Committee or referral to The Commission Board of Trustees for consideration of adverse action or the imposition of Probation or Warning.

The Commission requires candidate and member institutions holding accredited or candidacy (pre-accredited) status from more than one U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency (https://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Agencies.aspx) to keep each agency apprised of any change in its status with one or another agency. Any institution seeking or holding accreditation from more than one USDOE-recognized accrediting agency must represent itself accurately to each agency with regard to purpose, governance, programs, degrees, diplomas, certificates, personnel, finances, and constituents, and must keep each USDE-recognized accrediting body, including The Commission, apprised of any change in its status with one or another accrediting agency.