Accreditations
SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for particular programs.
The Importance of Being Accredited
As you decide which school is right for you, you’ll probably come across this word a lot – accreditation. But what does it actually mean in terms of higher education?
Simply put, it’s the measurement of an academic institution’s quality of education. So, if you see that a college or university is accredited, that means they have undergone a review and met the appropriate accreditation standards. It’s important to note that there are different types of accreditations, with the two main higher education accreditations being institutional and programmatic. Often times, a degree from an accredited college or university is required for jobs in specific fields.
To learn more about what it means to be accredited and how that should factor in your decision when finding the right school, check out the video below.
What SNHU Students are Saying
Kemar Reid '18 '20G
“Accreditation played a significant role in determining that SNHU was the school for me.”
Regional Accreditation:
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.
Degree Granting Approval:
New Hampshire Department of Education, Division of Higher Education - Higher Education Commission
Southern New Hampshire University maintains degree granting approval from the New Hampshire Department of Education, Division of Higher Education - Higher Education Commission.
Programmatic Accreditations:
In addition to regional accreditation, certain SNHU undergraduate and graduate programs also carry specialized programmatic accreditations.
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
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). Business programs that are currently not listed as ACBSP accredited may become accredited upon eligibility.
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). SNHU’s accreditation for the Baccalaureate degree in Health Information Management has been reaffirmed through 2029. All inquiries about the program’s 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.
The Master’s Degree Health Information Management Program is in Candidacy Status, pending accreditation review by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
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 Elementary Education program at Southern New Hampshire University has been awarded CAEP accreditation by the Inquiry Brief Commission of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Please access the following documents by clicking on the hyperlinks: Summary of the Case; Decision Letter; CAEP Accountability Measures.
Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
Southern New Hampshire University is an applicant for accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health. The accreditation review will address the Master of Public Health and the Master of Public Health with a concentration in Global Health programs. Other degrees and areas of study offered by this institution will not be included in the unit of accreditation review. Additional information can be found on the CEPH website.
Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.)
The baccalaureate degree in Mechanical Engineering, the baccalaureate degree in Aeronautical Engineering and the baccalaureate degree in Electrical Engineering offered by Southern New Hampshire University's School of Engineering, Technology and Aeronautics (SETA) are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
New Hampshire State Department of Education for Teacher Certification
Please review the list of New Hampshire approved collegiate programs of preparation for the education professions.
Assessment
All Southern New Hampshire University programs complete a comprehensive review on a 5-year schedule, unless otherwise needed as a result of industry or accreditation reasons. Program reviews include an analysis of program outcomes, curriculum and student support, involving multiple constituents across the University including faculty, assessment committees, academic leadership, and external stakeholders. These program reviews comprise all student populations and all delivery methods. The University continually fosters transparency within program and course creation, assessment and evaluation, and alignment of program outcomes. In addition, all Southern New Hampshire University faculty are either academically or professionally qualified to teach, per the institutions credentialing requirements.