Institutional Accreditation
SACSCOC – Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees, as well as certificates at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Liberty University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Normal inquiries about the institution, such as admission requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc., should be addressed directly to Liberty University.
Accreditation ensures that Liberty University has met strict standards with regard to degree programs, faculty, administration, student support, and services. Accreditation also ensures that courses taken and degrees earned through Liberty University will be accepted by other accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Programmatic Accreditation
In addition to regional accreditation, many of Liberty’s programs are accredited or otherwise recognized by specialized professional and accrediting agencies:
Athletic Training
Liberty’s Athletic Training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
Business
Liberty’s School of Business has achieved voluntary accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), demonstrating it has met standards of business education that promote teaching excellence.
Programs that have achieved accredited status include:
- A.A. in Accounting
- A.A. in Business
- A.A. in Business Management Information Systems
- B.S. in Accounting
- B.S. in Business Administration
- B.S. in Business Information Management Systems
- Master of Business Administration
- M.S. in Accounting
- A.A. in Accounting
- A.A. in Business
- A.A. in Information Systems
- B.S. in Accounting and Data Analysis
- B.S. in Business Administration*
- B.S. in Information Systems
- Master of Business Administration*
- M.S. in Accounting
- Doctor of Business Administration
*Accreditation for individual cognates may vary.
Computer Science
Liberty’s residential B.S. in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org/.
Counseling
Liberty’s residential M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling and M.A. in Marriage and Family Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Liberty’s online Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision, M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and online M.Ed. in School Counseling programs are also accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
In addition to CACREP, the M.Ed. in School Counseling program is also accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Accreditation System.
Divinity
Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity has been accredited through the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), demonstrating that it values the four core principles of ATS: diversity, quality and improvement, collegiality, and leadership. The approved programs include:
- Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)
- Ed.D. in Christian Leadership
- M.A. in Applied Ministry
- M.A. in Biblical Exposition
- M.A. in Biblical Studies
- M.A. in Biblical Languages
- M.A. in Chaplaincy
- M.A. in Christian Apologetics
- M.A. in Christian Ministry
- M.A. in Church Planting
- M.A. in Educational Ministries
- M.A. in Global Studies
- M.A. in Pastoral Counseling
- M.A. in Religion
- M.A. in Sports Chaplaincy
- M.A. in Theological Studies
- Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
- Master of Religious Education (M.R.E.)
- Master of Theology (Th.M.)
- Ph.D. in Theological Studies
- Ph.D. in Theology and Apologetics
Education
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accredits Liberty University’s School of Education. CAEP promotes excellence in educator preparation through content and pedagogy, clinical partnerships and practice, candidate recruitment, progression and support, program impact, and quality assurance and continuous improvement.
CAEP is the only national accreditor for education preparation recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation since its inception. We believe in striving for excellence in educator preparation, and we advance equity and performance through evidence-based reviews that promote quality and continuous improvement.
Liberty’s Teacher Licensure Programs are approved by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).
Liberty’s Teacher Licensure Programs are accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
Engineering
Liberty’s Engineering program is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Programs that have received accreditation from the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET:
- The Civil Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission(s) of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
- The Computer Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission(s) 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 program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission(s) 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 Industrial and Systems Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission(s) of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Industrial Engineering and Similarly Named Engineering Programs and the Program Criteria for Systems and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
- The Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission(s) of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Mechanical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
Exercise Science
Liberty’s Exercise Science program is accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Forensic Science
Liberty University’s Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science residential program is accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Nursing
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and the postgraduate APRN certificate program at Liberty University School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Liberty’s Registered Nurse program is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing (VBN).
The Liberty University School of Nursing Simulation Center is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) in the areas of Teaching/Education.
Osteopathic Medicine
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), operating under authority granted to it by the U.S. Department of Education, to offer an academic program leading to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
Public Health
The Liberty University Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree with concentrations in Community Health Promotion, Global Health, Nutrition, Epidemiology, Public Health Policy, and Environmental Health, as well as the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Public Health degree with concentrations in Community Health Promotion, Nutrition, and Pre-Clinical are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). CEPH accreditation was granted from October 6, 2017, through December 31, 2024. Reaccreditation is scheduled for November 2024.
Respiratory Therapy
The B.S. Degree Entry into Respiratory Therapy Practice, CoARC program number 200640, B.S. in Respiratory Therapy, in Lynchburg, Virginia, program holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (COARC).
The B.S. Degree Advancement Program in Respiratory Care, CoARC program number 510013, B.S. in Respiratory Therapy online program holds Provisional Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (COARC).
This status signifies that a program with an Approval of Intent has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the Standards (through submission of an acceptable Provisional Accreditation Self Study Report (PSSR) and any other documentation required by the CoARC, as well as satisfactory completion of an initial on-site visit, to be allowed to admit students. It is recognized as an accredited program by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), which provides enrolled students who complete the program with eligibility for the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s). The program will remain on Provisional Accreditation until it achieves Continuing Accreditation.
Social Work
Liberty’s B.S in Social Work and M.S.W in Social Work degree programs, offered in both residential and distance education formats, are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
School of Law
Liberty University School of Law is accredited by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association (ABA).
School of Music
Liberty University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). NASM approves music degrees. The School of Music also offers three degrees that are not music degrees: the BS in Worship Studies, the Doctor of Worship Studies, and the Ph.D. in Christian Worship.
Sports Management
The sport management degree program(s) at Liberty University has received specialized accreditation through the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) located in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. The sport management programs in the following degrees are accredited by COSMA:
- Bachelor of Science Sport Management (Residential) with cognates in Sport Administration, Sport Communication & Public Relations, Sport Outreach, Venue & Event Management, and General Studies
- Master of Science in Sport Management (Residential and Online) with cognates in Coaching & Athletic Administration, Sport Administration, Outdoor Adventure Sport, Tourism, and General Studies