Accreditation and State Authorization
Status
This mark signifies that Notre Dame is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and a member of the North Central Association (NCA). HLC’s most recent comprehensive evaluation of the University was completed in 2014. Clicking the image will direct you to more specific information about the University’s accreditation status on the HLC website.
Because institutions necessarily evolve over time, HLC regularly collects information from each to ensure they are still operating in a manner that warrants accreditation. At Notre Dame, an annual Institutional Data Update is collaboratively completed by the Kaneb Center for Teaching and Learning through the Office of the Provost and the Office of Strategic Planning & Institutional Research (OSPIR).
In spring of 2014, the University’s accreditation was reaffirmed for another 10-year period, with the next comprehensive HLC review to be in 2023-24. Notre Dame first earned accreditation from the NCA/HLC in 1913.
Further questions regarding the University’s relationship with the HLC should be directed to the Office of the Provost (provost@nd.edu). If you are seeking to contact the HLC directly or wish to learn more about the HLC, 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)
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College of Engineering
- The bachelor’s degree programs in aerospace, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental, and mechanical engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc.
- The bachelor’s degree program in computer science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc.
- School of Architecture, accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)
- Law School, accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA)*
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College of Arts and Letters
- Department of Psychology (Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology), accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA)*
- Department of Theology, accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS)
- 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..
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: http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-61343_35395_35396---,00.html
State of Montana
- Agency: Montana University System
- Authorized Location: State of Montana
- Authorized Programs: General Authorization
- Complaints: https://mus.edu/MUS-Statement-of-Complaint-Process.asp
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.