Accreditation Overview

The purpose of accreditation is to ensure that institutions of higher education meet appropriate levels of quality that range from student outcomes to faculty qualifications. In order for students to receive Federal Student Aid or scholarships from the U.S. Department of Education for post-secondary study, the institution must be accredited by a national or institutional accreditor. In addition, the institution must be approved by a recognized state approval agency, be authorized by the state in which the institution is located, and receive approval from the Department through a program participation agreement.

The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth is reviewed for accreditation by several agencies that perform external quality program review. The HSC receives regional institutional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Programmatic accrediting bodies include: American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), Accreditation Review Commission for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC). In addition, other HSC at Fort Worth departments, such as the Division of Academic Innovation (DAI), HSC Police, Forensic DNA Laboratory, and Lab Animal Medicine have specialized accreditors.

The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth 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).