Ensuring Excellence: Saint Mary's University Accreditation
In the United States, higher education institutions undergo accreditation processes through two types of accreditation agencies: institutional and specialized. The purpose of institutional accreditation is to ensure the overall quality of the entire institution. On the other hand, specialized (or program) accreditation agencies assess specific units, schools, or programs within the organization.
Since 1934, the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota has consistently maintained its accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The HLC is duly recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an institutional accreditor. This accreditation from the HLC serves as a guarantee to prospective students and other stakeholders that the institution’s course credits and degrees adhere to the quality standards of higher education. Moreover, institutional accreditation plays a vital role in ensuring quality by confirming that the institution actively pursues continuous improvement.
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
800-621-7440
www.hlcommission.org
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
The HLC evaluates each institution based on various criteria including academic offerings, governance and administration, mission, finances, and resources. This comprehensive assessment helps to ensure that the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota provides a high standard of education and operates efficiently in all aspects of its operations.
In addition, Saint Mary’s has program accreditation with a variety of programmatic accreditors. Programmatic accreditation ensures an academic program meets rigorous educational quality standards. This accreditation is voluntary and applies to a single degree program or school in an accredited institution. Programmatic accreditors conduct in-depth assessments of specialized or professional programs.
Specialty Accreditation
The undergraduate chemistry major program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to:
American Chemical Society
1155 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 1-800-333-9511 (US and Canada)
614-447-3776 (outside North America)
service@acs.org
https://www.acs.org/
American Psychological Association
The Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 336-5979
TDD/TTY: (202) 336-6123
apaaccred@apa.org
https://accreditation.apa.org/
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).
1120 Rockville Pike, Suite 302
Rockville, MD 20852-3110
240-283-6600
www.asbmb.org
The Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.
277 S. Washington St., Suite 210
Alexandria, VA 22314-3672
703-253-0448
coa@aamft.org
https://www.coamfte.org/
Saint Mary’s graduate program in Nurse Anesthesiology is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906
Rosemont, IL 60018-5603
224-275-9130
https://www.coacrna.org/The program’s next review by the COA is scheduled for May/October 2029.
The Baccalaureate Degree Program in Nursing at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
655 K Street NW, Suite 750,
Washington, DC 20001
202-887-6791
https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation. Accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’ Commission on Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Commission on Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation
The programs next review by CSWE is scheduled for February/March 2030.
The Master of Science in Project Management program and the Graduate Certificate in Project Management are accredited by the Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management (GAC)
The School of Business at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota has received specialized accreditation for its undergraduate business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas, USA. For a list of accredited programs please view our IACBE member status page.List of Accredited Saint Mary’s Programs (PDF)
Public Disclosure of Student Achievement (PDF)
The Master of Arts in Health and Human Services Administration program is accredited by the Minnesota Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Support (MN BELTSS)
335 Randolph Ave., Ste. 210-B
St. Paul, Minnesota 55102
651-201-2731
belts.hlb@state.n.us
https://mn.gov/boards/nursing-homeEffective August 31, 2024 the MA in Health and Human Services Administration program will no longer be accredited by the MN Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Supports (BELTSS) accreditation as meeting state educational requirements for Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) licensure in Minnesota.
Approvals, Authorizations, Certified, Recognized, Registered
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s B.S. in Nursing and its graduate program in Nurse Anesthesiology are approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing
210 Northland Drive, Suite 120
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
612-317-3000
Toll-free 888-234-2690
TTY Number 800-627-3529
Fax 651-688-1841
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s Peace Officer Education Program is certified by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST Board)1600 University Avenue, Suite 200
Saint Paul, MN 55104-3825;
651-643-3060
https://dps.mn.gov/entity/post.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s K-12 principal, Director of Special Education, and Superintendent licensure preparation certificate programs are authorized by the Board of School Administrators (BOSA), Minnesota Department of Education Building1500 Highway 36 West
Roseville, MN 55113;
651-582-8796;
https://bosa.mn.gov/
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s undergraduate and graduate teacher licensure preparation programs are approved by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, Minnesota Department of Education1500 Highway 36 West, Ste. 300
Roseville, MN 55113;
651-539-4200;
pelsb@state.mn.us;
www.mn.gov/pelsb.
Saint Mary’s is approved as an Out-of-State Nursing School by the Wisconsin Board of Nursing; Board of Nursing, WI Department of Safety and Professional Services;
P.O Box 8366;
Madison, WI 53708-8366;
608-266-2112;
https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/BoardsCouncils/Nursing
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s B.S. in Human Resource Management and M.A. in Human Resource Management programs have been recognized as fully aligning with the Society for Human Resource Management’s Curriculum Guidebook and Templates.800-283-7476; www.shrm.org
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 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.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota has been approved and is legally authorized to do business in the state of Wisconsin as a private postsecondary school, subject to the provisions of 440.52 Wisconsin Statutes, and all administrative rules adopted pursuant to statutes. Approval included only those programs and those locations specifically approved by the Board.Wisconsin Educational Approval Program (EAP)
4225 Madison Yards Way
Madison, WI 53705
608-266-1996
https://dspseap.wi.gov/
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education.National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)
3005 Center Green Drive, Suite 130
Boulder, CO 80301
720-680-1600
info@nc-sara.org
nc-sara.org