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Accreditation and State Authorization

Status

This mark signifies that Notre Dame is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The HLC’s most recent comprehensive evaluation of the University was completed in 2014. More specific information about the University’s accreditation status can be found on the HLC website.

Because institutions necessarily evolve over time, the HLC regularly collects information from each to ensure they continue to operate in a manner that warrants accreditation. At Notre Dame, an annual Institutional Update is completed in partnership by the Office of the Provost and Institutional Research, Strategy, and Innovation (IRIS).

In spring of 2014, the University’s accreditation was reaffirmed for another 10-year period, with the next comprehensive evaluation to be in 2023-24. Notre Dame first earned accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association in 1913.

Further questions regarding the University’s relationship with the HLC should be directed to the Office of the Provost (provost@nd.edu). To learn more about the HLC, submit a comment or file a complaint, please visit the Commission’s website at hlcommission.org.

Specific information on HLC accreditation criteria can be found at the following:

HLC Criteria for Accreditation

Specialized Accreditations

While accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission extends institution-wide, several colleges, schools, departments, and programs within the University seek and maintain accredited status with other bodies, as well.

  • Mendoza College of Business, accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • College of Engineering
    • ​The Aerospace Engineering Bachelor of Science Program in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Aerospace Engineering and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
    • The Mechanical Engineering Bachelor of Science Program in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mechanical Engineering and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
    • The Chemical Engineering Bachelor of Science program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Chemical, Biochemical, Biomolecular and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
    • The Civil Engineering Bachelor of Science Program in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
    • The Environmental Engineering Bachelor of Science Program in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Environmental Engineering and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
    • The Computer Science Bachelor of Science Program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Computer Science and Similarly Named Computing Programs.
    • The Computer Engineering Bachelor of Science Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
    • The Electrical Engineering Bachelor of Science Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
  • School of Architecture: Bachelor of Architecture, two-year Master of Architecture, and three-year Master of Architecture degree programs, accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)
  • Law School, accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA)*
  • College of Arts and Letters
  • Alliance for Catholic Education, program approved by the state of Indiana*

* This link will direct you to a main page where you will have to search “Notre Dame.”

State Authorization

The State of Indiana adopted a Charter in 1844 establishing the University of Notre Dame du Lac and authorizing the University as an institution of higher education. The University is also authorized by name by the State of Indiana through statute (Indiana Code 21-7-13-6). If you are a participant in any course or program offered by the University in the State of Indiana, we encourage you to contact the relevant department at the University with any complaints you may have about such course or program. However, if you would like to pursue a complaint with a state agency about the course or program, you should contact the following Indiana state agency: Indiana Commission for Higher Education; 101 W. Ohio Street, Suite 550; Indianapolis, IN 46204-1984; (ph) 317.232.1090; (email) academics@che.in.gov. Visit https://www.in.gov/che/student-complaints/ for more information and to access the student complaint form.

NC-SARA participating institution seal updated for 2024

With regard to courses and programs delivered online to individuals outside the State of Indiana, the University is an approved institution by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). As a result, the University has authorization to provide courses and programs online to individuals in all of the states that are participants in SARA. If you are a participant in an online course or program offered by the University in a SARA state, we encourage you to contact the relevant department at the University with any complaints you may have about such course or program. However, if you would like to pursue a complaint with a state agency about the course or program, you should contact the following Indiana state agency, regardless of the SARA state in which you reside or from which you are taking the online course or program: Indiana Commission for Higher Education; 101 W. Ohio Street, Suite 550; Indianapolis, IN 46204-1984; (ph) 317.232.1090;(email) academics@che.in.gov. Visit https://www.in.gov/che/student-complaints/ for more information and to access the student complaint form.

The University has additional authorizations to offer courses in the states noted further below. If you are a participant in any course or program offered by the University in such a location, we encourage you to contact the relevant department at the University with any complaints you may have about such course or program. However, if you would like to pursue a complaint with a state agency about the course or program, you should contact the agency of the relevant state:

State of Illinois

  • Agency: Illinois Board of Higher Education
  • Authorized Location: Chicago Region
  • Authorized Programs: EMBA, MSBA, MSF
  • Complaints: http://complaints.ibhe.org/

State of Michigan

  • Agency: Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
  • Authorized Location: State of Michigan
  • Authorized Programs: Undergraduate degree classes up to a total of sixteen (16) credit hours
  • Complaints

State of Montana

Request Information

If you are an enrolled or prospective student and would like to review the documents describing the University’s accreditations or its other authorizations, please contact the Provost Office at 574-631-3802 or provost@nd.edu.