Accreditation
St. Cloud State University Accreditation
St. Cloud State University was initially institutionally accredited in 1915.
It has been continuously accredited since 1947.
Institutional accreditation is a voluntary process that involves a comprehensive review of our mission, strategic goals, academic programs, and resources. This accreditation assures students, families, and the public that St. Cloud State University meets rigorous quality standards established by an independent organization deeply committed to advancing higher education.
Program/Specialized Accreditation
Program or other specialized accreditation is validation that a specific degree program, family of related professions, or other entity meets standards of quality and effectiveness set forth by the accreditation-granting organization. Some professions have multiple accrediting bodies. It is important to understand not all degree programs, disciplines, or professions have specialized accrediting bodies.
When an academic degree program is accredited, it means the program’s curriculum and quality have been evaluated against a set of standards for a particular profession. Students who successfully complete an accredited program are assured, by the accreditor, the curriculum is designed to include the relevant knowledge and experiences students need to succeed in that profession. In some cases, employers hire only individuals who hold a degree from an accredited program. Some graduate school programs require applicants to hold undergraduate degrees from accredited programs. And often, state licensure boards require individuals to hold a degree from an accredited program to even sit for the licensure exam. When considering accredited academic degree programs, it is also important to ensure the accreditor is recognized by an agency such as the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the US Department of Education.