Accreditations and Memberships

University of Northwestern – St. Paul is:

• Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (312-263-0456). This means credits earned at Northwestern are recognized by other colleges and universities. Also, Northwestern students are eligible for all federally funded financial aid programs and other aid programs. Learn more about the Fall 2018 Reaffirmation of Accreditation visit. You may also read the 2009 institutional self-study report that was part of our most recent reaccreditation process.
• Incorporated under the laws of the State of Minnesota as a non-profit operated exclusively for educational, religious, and charitable purposes. 
• Registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Registration is not an endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other institutions. 
• A charter member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). 
• An associate member of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). 
• An institutional member of the Christian Engineering Society (CES). 
• Granted certification by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST) to provide the academic component of the Professional Peace Officer Education (PPOE) in Northwestern’s criminal justice major (law enforcement track). 
• Approved by Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing & Standards Board (PELSB) to offer programs leading to teacher licensure. 
• A (non-accredited) member of the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP). 
• An accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). 
• An institutional participant in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). 
• A founding member of the Open Education Network (OEN). 
• A subscriber to Quality Matters Higher Education online course rubric. 
• Approved by the State of Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs for the training of veterans as well as survivors and dependents of veterans. 

University of Northwestern – St. Paul is a member of the:

• American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE)
• Association of Business Administrators of Christian Colleges (ABACC)
• Broadcast Education Association (BEA)
• Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU)
• Council of Independent Colleges (CIC)
• Event Service Professionals Association (ESPA)
• Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS)
• International Association for Communication & Sport (IACS)
• International Network for Christian Higher Education (INCHE)
• Minnesota Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE)
• Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC)
• National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT)
• National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
• National Association of Evangelicals (NAE)
• National Association of Independent Colleges & Universities (NAICU)
• National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA–DI)
• National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA–DIII)
• National Communication Association (NCA)
• North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals (NACCAP)
• Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) 

The baccalaureate program in nursing at University of Northwestern – St. Paul is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. 

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering program at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the General Criteria. 

Students who are interested in reviewing Northwestern’s accreditation and licensure documents should contact the Office of Academic Affairs.