Accreditation & Licensing

Concordia University, Saint Paul, is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The University has been accredited since 1959, with reaffirmation of accreditation in 2018. The next reaffirmation of accreditation is in 2028.

Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1413
312-263-0456 / 800-621-7440
Fax: 312-623-7462
[email protected]

Concordia University is a member of the Council for Higher Education Administration (CHEA). A national advocate and institutional voice for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation, CHEA is an association of 3,000 degree-granting colleges and universities and recognizes 60 institutional and programmatic accrediting organizations.

Council for Higher Education Accreditation
One Dupont Circle NW
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20036
202-955-6126

On June 7, 2022, the initial teacher education licensure programs at Concordia University-St. Paul were awarded national accreditation for a full term of 7 years by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). This action remains in effect through June 30, 2029.

2024 AAQEP Annual Report

Concordia University, ST. Paul is fully authorized to offer credentials in Minnesota for K-12 School Principals and School District Superintendents by the Minnesota Board of School Administrators (MN BOSA).

Board of School Administrators
MDE Building
1500 Highway 36 West
Roseville, MN 55113
(651) 582-8754

The National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) has approved Concordia’s undergraduate and graduate programs in Family Science as meeting the Standards and Criteria required for the Provisional Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) designation. The NCFR provides certification for the profession of family life education. Thus, students who complete the undergraduate or graduate FLE programs are eligible for certification as a Family Life Educator (CFLE). 

National Council on Family Relations
1201 West River Parkway, Suite 200
Minneapolis, MN 55454
(888) 781-9331
www.ncfr.org

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Concordia University, St. Paul is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

The Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE). The program has been placed on Probationary Accreditation as of July 23, 2024.

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Abdominal-Extended and Obstetrics and Gynecology program at Concordia University, St. Paul is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org

The doctorate in Physical Therapy program at Concordia University, St. Paul is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). If needing to contact the program directly, please call 651-603-6294 or email [email protected].

CAPTE
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-706-3245
[email protected]
http://www.capteonline.org

Concordia University, St. Paul is registered as a private institution with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to 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.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in St. Paul is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing, located at 1210 Northland Drive, Suite 120, Mendota Heights, MN 55120, 612-317-3000.

This school is a business unit of a corporation and is authorized by the State of Oregon to offer and confer the academic degrees and certificates described herein, following a determination that state academic standards will be satisfied under OAR 583-030. Inquiries concerning the standards or school compliance may be directed to the Office of Degree Authorization, 255 Capitol St. NE, Salem, Oregon 97310.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in Portland is approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing, located at 17938 SW Upper Boones Ferry Road, Portland, OR 97224, 971-673-0685.

Federal regulations require schools providing distance education to students residing outside of the institution’s home state to seek state authorization with the states from which they enroll students or participate in a state authorization reciprocity agreement. Concordia University participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). This allows Concordia University to enroll students in its online program in all states. Although the State of California does not participate in NC-SARA, CSP is allowed to operate online programs in California because it is a private nonprofit institution.

All teacher licensure programs are approved by the MN Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB).

Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board
1500 Highway 36 West
Roseville, MN 55113-4266
(651) 582-8888

Concordia University is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission to conduct practice experiences in the state of Washington for the accelerated BSN program.

Each state has different requirements for professional licensure and certifications. If you are considering an academic program that prepares you to pursue professional licensure or certification, you are strongly encouraged to contact your state’s licensing authority for guidance before beginning an academic program outside of your state. (Please see information about licensing/certification and links to state boards for your program of interest below.) Additional licensure requirements may include professional examinations, background checks, years of work experience, fingerprinting requirements, etc.

If you relocate during your course of study: Since licensing requirements vary by state, moving to a different state before or during your program may impact the requirements for licensure or certification. If you are considering relocating, you should contact the licensing authorities provided for your desired program.

The Bachelor of Science in Accounting at Concordia University St. Paul requires 120 credits of coursework to graduate. Because all states require 150 hours to be eligible for licensure, many CSP students will add a minor of study or go on for graduate work to complete the 150 hours to become licensed. In addition, many states require additional accounting coursework, hours of practical experience, background studies, licensure fees, and/or ethics training courses through the appropriate state board of accountancy. For more information regarding eligibility to take a licensure exam or to become licensed as a CPA, click here.

Some states require certification for a more limited scope of practice than the CPA, e.g., the Registered Accounting Practitioner. To view state requirements for this certification, click here.

CSP’s AAS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography prepares students to take the ARDMS national board examinations (SPI and a specialty board). To see what is required to sit for a board exam, click here. [ https://www.ardms.org/get-certified/application-and-exam-resources/] CSP AAS DMS program graduates have met the eligibility requirements to take the board exam in any state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Currently, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon are the only states with approved legislation mandating the licensure of sonographers. To be eligible, a candidate must have graduated from an accredited program and hold the required credential by passing the national board examination. For more information regarding application for licensure in these states, click the link here.

Concordia’s online B.A. in Family Science degree program is approved by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). Students can choose between a certified or non-certified track, but must do so before the third course in the Family Science degree program. Upon successful completion of the program, CFLE Track students will be provisionally certified as Family Life Educators. Non-CFLE students are eligible to sit for the national exam to gain provisional certification. Provisional certification is available to applicants who have completed the program, but who have not yet earned enough work experience hours in Family Life Education to qualify for full-certification status (3200 hours). Certification is not currently required by any state for employment. For more information on CFLE certification visit the NCFR website.

CSP’s pre-licensure nursing programs prepare students to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN®), which is required for professional nursing licensing in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. CSP BSN program graduates are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN® in any state. States may require additional licensure application conditions including but not limited to background studies that may include fingerprinting. State specific professional nursing licensure requirements are accessible via the identified state’s nursing board website.

Background Check & Overall Eligibility for Licensure for Oregon Students: Students are required to submit to a university-ordered criminal background check to identify criminal convictions that may: (a) Pose a risk to public safety; (b) preclude the ability to complete required clinicals; or (c) result in Notice to Deny Licensure on application for initial licensure in Oregon. The Oregon State Board of Nursing has limits on eligibility for licensure, as defined in OAR 851-031-0006 (1)(a)(b). Ultimately, licensure may be denied to students with a criminal history, including but not limited to, conviction(s); those with a major physical or mental condition that could affect their ability to practice nursing safely; and/or not adhering to OAR statutes defining nursing practice.

Background Check & Overall Eligibility for Licensure for Minnesota Students: Students are required to submit to a university-ordered criminal background check to identify criminal convictions that may: (a) Pose a risk to public safety, or (b) preclude the ability to complete required clinicals. The Minnesota Board of Nursing has limits on eligibility for licensure, as defined by Minnesota State Statute 148.261. Ultimately, licensure may be denied to students with a criminal history, including, but not limited to, conviction(s); those with a major physical or mental condition that could affect their ability to practice nursing safely; and/or not adhering to Minnesota state statutes defining nursing practice.

Drug Testing for Oregon Students: In accordance with OAR 409-030-0210 Drug Testing for Substance Abuse and Misuse, a student must undergo a drug test prior to the start date of initial placement at a covered clinical setting. Completion of a ten-panel drug test must take place prior to initial placement, but no more than three months before entry into the health profession training program requiring clinical training experience. A drug test is considered current while the student is enrolled and progressing in the health profession training program. Screens for the following eight substances must be included in the ten-panel drug screen: (a) Amphetamines (including methamphetamines); (b) Barbiturates; (c) Benzodiazepines; (d) Cocaine; (e) Marijuana; (f) Methadone; (g) Opiates; and (h) Phencyclidine.

Drug Testing for Minnesota Students: While students at the St. Paul campus are not required to complete drug screening upon admission to the nursing program, some clinical sites in all states may require drug screenings prior to student placement, if an incident occurs at their facility, random drug testing, and/or drug testing for reasonable cause.

Positive Drug Test for any CSP Nursing Student: Despite legalization or decriminalization of some substances, CSP students who test positive for any of the substances stated above without a prescription or who are found to have tampered with a specimen will be disqualified from admission to the program or from engaging in clinical experiences and will be dismissed from the Program. Medical marijuana prescriptions will not waive the requirement for a negative drug screen.

Possibility of Additional Drug Testing: Some clinical sites in all states may require additional drug screenings prior to student placement, if an incident occurs at their facility, random drug testing, and/or drug testing for reasonable cause. The Program may require drug screen sampling other than urine for any repeat screening. The costs for additional drug screenings for any reason are the responsibility of the student. The Program reserves the right to conduct random drug screening and drug testing for reasonable cause.

Each state has different requirements for certification of Orthotists and Prosthetists. CSP’s MS in Orthotics and Prosthetics prepares students to take the ABC CPO board exam, which is required for licensing in all states that have state licensure. The CSP O&P program graduates can take the board exam in any state or District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, certain state boards may have other requirements.  Please see the contact information for O&P licensing boards here.

Students who complete the CSP Criminal Justice BA program meet the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) academic requirements (including state-specific criminal law and traffic codes) and are eligible for entrance into training toward the Law Enforcement Certificate at Minnesota police academies. Academic requirements for peace officer certification vary by state. Please refer to the information for your state here.

The CSP Doctorate in Physical Therapy program curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands because the program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program by CAPTE satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist programs are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, please refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website.

Each state has different requirements for professional licensure and certifications. CSP’s educator preparation programs are designed specifically to prepare students for licensure in Minnesota, but have not met the licensure requirements established by any other state licensing boards for licensure in those states. CSP is unable to determine whether its teacher preparation programs would meet the educational requirements for licensure in other states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands as such decisions are under the purview of those jurisdictions.  Students who want to work in a state other than Minnesota should contact the state licensing board in their state in which they wish to be licensed or certified before enrolling in any program.

Concordia University is committed to providing outstanding online education. If you have a question, concern, or complaint about your online education experience at Concordia, we encourage you to speak to your program administrator. Concordia’s Grievance Procedures for Students can be found here.

If you still have an issue, please contact the office of Academic Affairs at [email protected]

If the issue cannot be resolved internally, students may contact the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

Betsy Talbot
Minnesota Office of Higher Education
1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350
Saint Paul, MN 55108
651.259.3965
[email protected]

For students residing in California, complaints can be made at:

Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 400
Sacramento, CA 95833
Phone: 916-431-6959

You may also report any complaints to Concordia University, St. Paul’s accrediting agency, the Higher Learning Commission ([email protected]).

Students should attempt to resolve any grievances they may have with their school first. Should attempts to resolve these problems with appropriate school officials fail, or should the student be dissatisfied with the final outcome of the college complaint process, then the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC), can respond to a formal complaint. Students may contact the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, 3225 25th St. SE, Salem, OR 97302, or by sending an email to [email protected]. Students may also access the HECC complaints web page at https://www.oregon.gov/highered/about/Pages/complaints.aspx.