Accreditation is a process of external review in which an institution of higher education demonstrates that its academic programs, support services, and operational functions meet broad quality standards. Accreditation is a continuous cycle of evaluation carried out by independent, nongovernmental agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. While accreditation in the United States is voluntary, it not only establishes markers of quality but provides access to federal and state funding, facilitates the transfer of college credits, and strengthens public confidence in higher education. For more information on the role of accreditation within higher education, the Higher Learning Commission has published, Ask the Right Questions: A Student Guide to Higher Education.

Institutional Accreditation

Viterbo University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Specialized Accreditations

Viterbo University is accredited for academic programs in specialized fields by the following organizations, which are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

• Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
• American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) - Candidate Status
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement

Pursuant to Wis. Stats. Ch. 39.85, et. al, the State of Wisconsin is a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) through the Midwestern Higher Education Compact, which regulates the manner in which participating institutions may offer distance learning education to students who reside in other states. Viterbo University is a participating institution in SARA. For more information, visit Viterbo's SARA web page.

State Approvals

Viterbo University is approved by state agencies in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to deliver the following educational programs:

• The nursing program is approved by the Wisconsin State Board of Nursing for the licensure of registered nurses.
• The Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling program is recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Board of Marriage and Family Therapists, Professional Counselors, and Social Work as an accredited program that prepares students to apply for a Licensed Professional Counselor credential in the state of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa, upon completion of 3000 hours post-degree practice with specific supervision. Note: Minnesota and Iowa have their own state credentialing boards.
• The social work program is recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Board of Marriage and Family Therapists, Professional Counselors, and Social Work as an accredited program that prepares students to apply for Certified Social Worker credential in the state of Wisconsin. The accreditation is also recognized by American Social Work Boards for credentialing in the United States.
• The substance abuse counseling program is approved by the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Safety and Professional Services as a pre-certification education program for Substance Abuse Counselor certification in the state of Wisconsin.
• Viterbo University is recognized by the Wisconsin State Department of Public Instruction for the certification of teachers in the elementary and secondary schools and for the training of veterans.
• Viterbo University is registered with the Iowa Department of Education - Bureau of Iowa College Aid to offer distance education delivery to Iowa residents. Iowa students with questions about the university may contact the commission or file a complaint at https://educate.iowa.gov/higher-ed/student-complaints. The student must complete the postsecondary school’s internal complaint or grievance process and receive a decision before filing a complaint with the commission.
• Viterbo University is recognized and approved by the Iowa State Board of Education for the K-12 Principal licensure/Supervisor of Special Education (189).
• Viterbo University is registered as a private institution with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to Minnesota Statues, 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.

For more information, contact:

Timothy Schorr, DMA
Assistant Vice President, Institutional Effectiveness
HLC Accreditation Liaison Officer
tbschorr@viterbo.edu
608-796-3774
Murphy Center 223