Accreditation matters – here's why
As you decide which school is right for you, one of the most important things to consider is the university's accreditation. That's because accreditation is a measurement of an academic institution’s quality of education. Like a health inspector for a restaurant, a university's accreditation is a check by an independent organization to see if it meets certain standards of quality.
So, if you see that a college or university is accredited, that means they've:
- Undergone an independent review
- Met specific standards of quality
- Have the tools and resources necessary for students to be successful
Degree Granting Approval:
Southern New Hampshire University is chartered as an institution of higher education in accordance with New Hampshire law. As such, SNHU is authorized to grant degrees at the associate, bachelor’s, master's and doctoral levels. The university maintains its degree granting approval from the New Hampshire Department of Education, Division of Higher Education - Higher Education Commission.
It’s important to note that there are different types of accreditations: institutional and programmatic.
Institutional accreditation means the university as a whole is accredited. Institutional accreditation can be either national or regional, depending on the rigor and requirements of the accreditation process.
In addition to institutional accreditation, your chosen program of study may also carry a Programmatic or Specialized Accreditation – meaning the degree program itself meets the standards specific to that area of study.
SNHU's Institutional Accreditation – Regional:
New England Commission of Higher Education
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.).
Inquiries regarding accreditation should be emailed to accreditation@snhu.edu.
Individuals may also contact:
New England Commission of Higher Education
301 Edgewater Place, Suite 210
Wakefield, MA 01880
info@neche.org
The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a reliable authority on the quality of education for the institutions it accredits. The Commission is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), affirming that its standards and processes are consistent with the quality, improvement and accountability expectations that CHEA has established. Recognition by the Department of Education provides access to federal financial aid for U.S. students attending institutions accredited by the Commission.
SNHU's Programmatic Accreditations:
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Many of the undergraduate and graduate business programs offered by Southern New Hampshire University are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Additional information is available on the ACBSP accreditation page.
Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
The Health Information Management accreditor of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The university’s accreditation for the Baccalaureate degree in Health Information Management has been reaffirmed through 2029. Accreditation for the Master's degree in Health Information Management has been reaffirmed through 2030. All inquiries about the programs’ accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at 312.235.3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and the master’s degree program in nursing at Southern New Hampshire University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202.887.6791.
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
The School of Arts, Sciences and Education at Southern New Hampshire University is granted accreditation at the initial licensure level by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (1140 19th St NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036; 202.223.0077). Additional information regarding the programs covered under this accreditation and the accountability measures can be found on the CAEP Accreditation page.
Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
Southern New Hampshire University’s Master of Public Health program (including the general and global health concentrations) is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.
Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.)
The baccalaureate degree programs in Aeronautical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering offered by Southern New Hampshire University's School of Engineering, Technology, and Aeronautics are each accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET. The baccalaureate degree program in Aeronautical Engineering is accredited under the EAC’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Aerospace and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. The baccalaureate degree program in Electrical Engineering is accredited under the EAC’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s), and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. The baccalaureate degree program in Mechanical Engineering is accredited under the EAC’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mechanical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
Accredited and recognized
With headquarters in New Hampshire, SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), meeting the rigorous standards of quality and effectiveness. Even more, you can count on an education backed by accolades from U.S. News & World Report, Military Times and many others. We’re proud to offer learning designed to help you succeed.
