Institutional Accreditation

Institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) affirms St. Cloud State University’s (SCSU) overall quality, integrity, and effectiveness in fulfilling its mission. As an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, the HLC evaluates SCSU against comprehensive criteria that address areas such as teaching and learning, governance, resource allocation, and continuous improvement. Accreditation by the HLC indicates SCSU meets rigorous standards of academic excellence and fiscal responsibility, while also demonstrating a sustained commitment to student success and public accountability. The HLC seal confirms SCSU’s accreditation status.

St. Cloud State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commissions (HLC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, educational specialist and doctorate degrees. St. Cloud State University may also offer credentials, such as certificates, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Program Accreditation

Program accreditation is a critical mechanism for assuring the quality, rigor, and relevance of academic offerings. It provides an external validation that a program meets established standards set by recognized accrediting bodies, reflecting a commitment to continuous improvement and accountability. Accreditation not only strengthens institutional credibility but also enhances student confidence, supports transferability of credits, and aligns curricula with professional and industry expectations. The following agencies accredit specific programs at St. Cloud State University:

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology – Computing Accreditation Commission (ABET-CAC)

  • Computer Science, BS
  • Information Systems, BS

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology – Engineering Accreditation Commission (ABET-EAC)

  • Computer Engineering, BS
  • Electrical Engineering, BS
  • Environmental Engineering, BS
  • Manufacturing Engineering, BS
  • Mechanical Engineering, BSME

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology – Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ABET-ETAC)

  • Manufacturing Engineering Technology, BS

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASMBM); provisional accreditation through 2027

  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology – Biochemistry concentration, BS

Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AQUEP)

  • Art Education, BS
  • Chemistry Education Grades 9-12, BS
  • Chemistry/General Science Education Grades 5-12, BS
  • Communication, Arts and Literature Education, BS
  • Earth and Space Science/General Science Education Grades 5-12, BS
  • Earth and Space Science Education, BS
  • Life Science Education Grades 9-12, BS
  • Life Science Education/General Science Education Grades 5-12, BS
  • Mathematics Education, BS
  • Teaching English as a Second Language, BS
  • Teaching English as a Second Language, MA
  • Technology Education, BS
  • Technology Education, MS
  • Early Childhood Education, BS
  • Elementary/K-6 Education, BS
  • Library Media Specialist, MS
  • Social Studies Education, BS
  • SPED: Academic and Behavioral Strategist, BS

Association for Behavior Analysis International Accreditation Board (ABAI)

  • Applied Behavior Analysis, MS

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

  • Accounting, BS
  • Business Administration, MBA
  • Business Economics, BS
  • Finance, BS
  • General Business, BS
  • Information Systems, BS
  • Management, BS
  • Marketing, BS

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educations Programs (CAAHP)

  • Medical Technology: Applied Clinical Research, MS

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, (CCNE)

  • Nursing, BS
  • RN-BS Nursing Completion, BS

Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

  • Clinical Metal Health Counseling, MS
  • School Counseling, MS

Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA)

  • Communication Sciences and Disorders, MS
  • Speech-Language Hearing Sciences

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

  • Social Work, BS
  • Social Work, MSW

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)

  • Medical Laboratory Science, BS

National Association of School of Art and Design (NASAD)

  • Art, BA
  • Art Education, BS
  • Graphic Design, BFA
  • Studio Art, BFA

Certifications and Licensure Programs

American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM) – Certification

  • Engineering Management, MEM – Certified
  • Executive Engineering Management, EMEM – Certified

Professional Education Standards Board (PELSB) – Licensure Programs

PELSB is a State of Minnesota agency that is responsible for approving and overseeing teacher preparation programs that lead to teaching licensure in Minnesota. The following SCSU programs are approved by PELSB.

  • Art Education, BS
  • Chemistry Education Grades 9-12, BS
  • Chemistry/General Science Education Grades 5-12, BS
  • Communication, Arts and Literature Education, BS
  • Earth and Space Science/General Science Education Grades 5-12, BS
  • Earth and Space Science Education, BS
  • Life Science Education Grades 9-12, BS
  • Life Science Education/General Science Education Grades 5-12, BS
  • Mathematics Education, BS
  • Teaching English as a Second Language, BS
  • Teaching English as a Second Language, MA
  • Technology Education, BS
  • Technology Education, MS
  • Early Childhood Education, BS
  • Elementary/K-6 Education, BS
  • Library Media Specialist, MS
  • Social Studies Education, BS
  • SPED: Academic and Behavioral Strategist, BS

Specialized Accreditation

Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation (COLA)

  • SCSU Medical Clinic – Laboratory

National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP)

  • Huskies in the High School dual enrollment program
Office of Assessment and Accreditation