For Institutions

Join The Commission

The Commission accredits degree-granting colleges and universities across the United States and internationally. If your institution is considering accreditation, this is where the process begins.

Is The Commission
the Right Fit?

The Commission accredits degree-granting institutions of higher education — public and private, non-profit and proprietary, from community colleges to research universities, including institutions that teach entirely online. We do not accredit individual programs, secondary schools, or institutions that do not award degrees. If you are seeking accreditation for a single program within an already accredited institution, a programmatic accreditor is what you are looking for.
The Right Fight

Eligibility Requirements

Before an institution may apply, it must meet the Commission’s eligibility requirements. These establish that an institution is far enough along to be reviewed meaningfully — that it is legally authorized to operate and award degrees, that it has students enrolled and faculty teaching, that it has been operating long enough to have a record, and that it is financially able to sustain its work.
Read the Full Eligibility Requirements ⟶

New to Accreditation

Institutions seeking accreditation for the first time typically begin with candidacy — a period of preparation and review before accreditation itself.

Accredited Elsewhere

Institutions accredited by another recognized accreditor follow a different path. Talk with us early — the requirements and the timing differ.

Outside the U.S.

The Commission accredits institutions outside the United States. Additional requirements apply, and we can walk you through them.

How the Process Works

The Commission – Talk With Us
Talk with us

Before anything formal, institutions are encouraged to contact Commission staff to discuss readiness and fit.

The Commission – Confirm Eligibility
Confirm Eligibility

The institution documents that it meets the eligibility requirements.

The Commission – Apply Candidacy
Apply for Candidacy

The application is reviewed, and a committee visits the institution.

The Commission – Candidacy
Candidacy

A period of preparation, reporting, and review, during which the institution builds toward full accreditation.

The Commission – Initial Accreditation
Apply for Initial Accreditation

The institution demonstrates that it meets the standards in full.

The Commission – Decision
Decision

The Board of Trustees acts on the application.

The process is deliberately thorough, and the work of preparing for it is substantial.

What to Expect of the Work

Accreditation is demanding by design. Institutions preparing for review commit significant staff time to documenting their work, gathering evidence, and examining their own practices honestly. Most name a lead who carries the effort, and most find that the preparation itself surfaces things worth fixing.

There are also costs — application and review fees, the expense of hosting visiting teams, and annual dues once accredited. Current fee schedules are published.

Fee Schedule ⟶

Start the Conversation

The best first step is a conversation. Commission staff will talk with you about where your institution stands, whether accreditation is a realistic next step, and what preparation would involve — before any application is filed.

CONTACT US ABOUT ACCREDITATION
Name

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The Commission accredits degree-granting institutions internationally and we currently have members in Mexico, Costa Rica, and the United Arab Emirates. Please contact staff so that we can walk you through the procedure for international submissions.

Institutions accredited by another recognized accreditor are eligible for an accelerated pathway to membership. Talk with us early — the requirements and the timing differ.

From first contact to initial accreditation, the typical timeline is 3-4 years for established institutions. Institutions in good standing with another recognized accreditor are often able to complete the process in half that time.

No. The Commission accredits institutions. Program-level accreditation is handled by programmatic accreditors in the relevant field.

The application fee is $6900, with a reduced rate of $4900 for institutions from new geographic jurisdictions.

Check with our staff to see which fee applies.

View Fee Schedule  ⟶

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