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Higher Learning Commission

230 S. LaSalle Street Suite 7-500 Chicago, IL  60604 800-621-7440 Contact the HLC

Complaint Contact Info

To submit a complaint contact: NAU's Regional Accrediting Body Higher Learning Commission
Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) If an issue submitted to Northern Arizona University by a student is unresolved and involves a complaint arising under state laws, an Arizona Board of Regents policy or any other matter, the student may contact the Arizona Board of Regents (in accordance with 75 Fed. Reg. 66865-66, Oct. 29, 2010), by visiting the ABOR website or by submitting a request directly. Students may also call the ABOR office at 602-229-2500.

Institutional Accreditation

Universities and colleges in the United States obtain accreditation from non-governmental bodies that are recognized by the U. S. Secretary of Education. Accreditation provides public certification of acceptable institutional quality and an opportunity for critical self-analysis leading to improvement in quality. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education uses accreditation as a basis for their determination of institutional eligibility for participating in various federally funded programs, including Title IV federal financial aid to students.

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is one of six regional associations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education that accredit institutions of higher education. The Higher Learning Commission accredits Northern Arizona University. Northern Arizona University’s accreditation extends through 2027-2028.

Northern Arizona University participates in the Higher Learning Commission Open Pathways, which includes two processes: Quality Assurance and Quality Initiative.

Specialized Accredited Programs

College of Arts & Letters (CAL) Accordion Closed

UnitProgramAccrediting AgencyLast ReviewNext Review
School of Art Interior Design (Flagstaff & Scottsdale LocationsCouncil for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)2016
Letter
2022
School of MusicMusic Programs in:
Music BANational Association of Schools of Music
(NASM)
2018
Letter
2026
Music BMUSNational Association of Schools of Music
(NASM)
2018
Letter
2026
Music MMNational Association of Schools of Music
(NASM)
2018
Letter
2026


Northern Arizona University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) as of August 2020.
Next review 2025-2026

College of Education (COE) Accordion Closed

UnitProgramAccrediting
Agency
Last
Review
Next
Review
Dept. of Educational LeadershipThe following programs are both CAEP accredited and state approved:2017
Letter
Action Report
2024
Master of Education, Educational Leadership- Principal K-12 (M.Ed.)Council for
the Accreditation
of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Proof2024
Educational Leadership, Principal (post-degree certificate)Arizona State Board of Education
Educational Leadership, Superintendent (post-degree certificate)
Dept. of Educational PsychologyThe following programs are both CAEP accredited and state approved:Council for
the Accreditation
of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
2017
Letter
Action Report
2024
Educational Specialist, School Psychology (Ed.S.)National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)2022
Letter
2028
Doctor of Philosophy, Combined Counseling/School Psychology (Ph.D.)CAEP and Arizona State Board of Education AND APA (see information in next line)
American Psychological Association2017
Letter
2020
Master of Education, Counseling - School Counseling (M.Ed.)CAEP and Arizona State Board of Education AND CACREP (see information in next line)
Council of Accreditation of Educational Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)2022
Letter
2024
The programs is under review for state approved (ONLY):
Master of Education, PK-12 College and Career Counseling (M.Ed.)Arizona State Board of EducationApproval should be voted on by the Arizona State Board of Education on 8/21.TBD
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical PsychologyAmerican Psychological Association2022
Letter
2025
Dept. of Educational SpecialtiesThe following programs are both CAEP accredited and state approved:Council for
the Accreditation
of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
2017
Letter
Action Report
2024
Bachelor of Science in Education, Special and Elementary Education (B.S.Ed.)Arizona State Board of EducationProof2024
Master of Education, Special Education - Mild/Moderate Disabilities Certified (M.Ed.)
Master of Education, Special Education - Early Childhood Special Education with Certification (M.Ed.)
Dept. of Teaching and LearningThe following programs are both CAEP accredited and state approved:Council for
the Accreditation
of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
2017
Letter
Action Report
2024
Bachelor of Science in Education, Elementary Education (B.S.Ed.)Arizona State Board of EducationProof2024
Master of Education, Elementary Education - Certification (M.Ed.)
The following program is state approve (ONLY):
Bachelor of Science in Education, Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education (B.S.Ed.)Arizona State Board of EducationProof2025

College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences (CEIAS) Accordion Closed

UnitProgramAccrediting AgencyLast ReviewNext Review
Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental EngineeringBS in Construction ManagementAmerican Council for Construction Education (ACCE)2018
Letter
2024
Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental EngineeringBS in Engineering: Civil EngineeringEngineering Accreditation Commission of ABET2020
Letter
2026
Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental EngineeringBS in Engineering: Environmental EngineeringEngineering Accreditation Commission of ABET2020
Letter
2026
Department of Mechanical EngineeringBS in Mechanical EngineeringEngineering Accreditation Commission of ABET2020
Letter
2026
School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber SystemsBS in Computer EngineeringEngineering Accreditation Commission of ABET2020
Letter
2022
School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber SystemsBS in Electrical EngineeringEngineering Accreditation Commission of ABET2020
Letter
2022
School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber SystemsBS in Computer ScienceComputing Accreditation Commission of ABET2020
Letter
2026

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences (CEFNS) Accordion Closed

UnitProgramAccrediting AgencyLast ReviewNext Review
School of ForestryForestry BSFSociety of American Foresters
(SAF)
2013
Letter
2023

College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) Accordion Closed

UnitProgramAccrediting AgencyLast ReviewNext Review
Athletic Training & Physical TherapyAthletic Training, MSCommission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)2021
Letter
2031
Physical Therapy - Entry Level DPTCommission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)2022
Proof
2030
Department of Dental HygieneDental Hygiene, BSDHAmerican Dental Association (ADA) Commission
on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
2022
Letter
2028
Health SciencesFitness Wellness, BSCommission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)2022
Letter
2032
Nutrition, BSAccreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)2019
Letter
2023
Master in Public Health (MPH) NutritionAccreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)2019
Letter
2023
Communications Sciences and DisordersClinical Speech - Pathology, MSCouncil on Academic Accreditation (CAA) in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology2016
Letter
2023
School of NursingNursing BSN; Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner MS; Nursing-Generalist MS; Nursing Practice DNPCommission
on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
2018
Proof
2028
Occupational TherapyOccupational Therapy OTDThe American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA)2016
Proof
2023
Department of Physician Assistant StudiesPhysician Assistant Studies MPASAccreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant
(ARC-PA)
2015
Letter
2025

Professional Education Programs (PEP): Initial Teacher Preparation Programs Accordion Closed

UnitProgramAccrediting AgencyLast ReviewNext Review
CALBachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) for:Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)2017
Letter
Action Report
2024
Arizona State Board of EducationProof2024
Art Education
Secondary Education - English
Secondary Education - History and Social Studies
Secondary Education - Spanish
Bachelor of Music Education, Music Secondary Education (B.M.Ed.) Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP),
Arizona State Board of Education and
National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
2018
Letter
2024
MAT Spanish EducationCouncil for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and
Arizona State Board of Education
20172024
CEFNSBachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) for:Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)2017
Letter
Action Report
2024
Arizona State Board of EducationProof2024
Secondary Education - Biology
Secondary Education - Chemistry
Secondary Education - Earth Science
Secondary Education - General Science
Secondary Education - Mathematics
Master of Arts in Teaching, Teaching Science with Certification (M.A.T.)Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and
Arizona State Board of Education
20172024
CEIASBachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) for:Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
2017
Letter
Action Report
2024
Arizona State Board of EducationProof2024
Secondary Education - Physics
CHHSBachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) for:Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)2017
Letter
Action Report
2024
Arizona State Board of EducationProof2024
Health Sciences - Physical Education

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) Accordion Closed

UnitProgramAccrediting AgencyLast ReviewNext Review
Geography, Planning & RecreationParks & Recreation BSNational Recreation
and Park Association (NRPA)
Council on Accreditation
of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT)
2014
Letter
2021
Politics and International AffairsPublic Administration MPA Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)2022
Letter
2029
Social WorkSocial Work BSW Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)2019
Letter
2027
Social Work MSWCouncil on Social Work Education (CSWE)2020
Letter
2024

The W. A. Franke College of Business Accordion Closed

UnitProgramAccrediting AgencyLast ReviewNext Review
Business AdministrationBusiness Programs (See List)Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)2020
Letter
2025
Hotel and Restaurant ManagementHotel & Restaurant Management, BSAccreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA)2018
Letter
2024

Yuma Branch Campus Accordion Closed

UnitProgramAccrediting AgencyLast ReviewNext Review
Business & AdministrationBachelor of Administration (BBA)Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)2022
Letter
2032
Business & AdministrationApplied Sciences - Industrial Technology Management BASAccreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)2022
Letter
2032
Business & AdministrationApplied Sciences - Logistics & Supply Chain Management BASAccreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)2022
Letter
2032
Yuma - Arts and SciencesSocial Work BASWCouncil on Social Work Education (CSWE)2018
Letter
2022
Dept. of Teaching and Learning > Elementary EducationBachelor of Science in Education, Elementary Education
(B.S.Ed.)
Arizona State Board of Education2018
Proof
2024
Secondary EducationPost-Baccalaureate, UCertArizona State Board of Education2018
Proof
2024

 

Academic Program Licensure Rates

College of the Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences (CEIAS) Accordion Closed

Academic ProgramYearNAU Pass RateState or National Pass Rate
Associate Constructor
Construction Management (BS)
202072%70% (National)

College of the Health & Human Services (CHHS) Accordion Closed

Academic ProgramYearNAU Pass RateState or National Pass Rate
Athletic Training202096.3%61.6% (National)
Communication Sciences & Disorders (Praxis)2019-2020100%92.9% (National)
Dental Hygiene202097.7%90.1% (National)
Fitness Wellness2020-202177.6%72% (National)
Nursing (AANP)202093%85% (National)
Nursing (NCLEX)202095.7%86.6% (National)
Occupational Therapy2020100%84%
Physical Therapy (Flagstaff)2019100%99.2% (National)
Physical Therapy (Phoenix Bio campus)2019100%99.2% (National)
Physician Assistant2020First time pass rate (94%) N=5095% (First time National pass rate)

College of Education (COE) Accordion Closed

Academic ProgramYearNAU Pass RateState or National Pass Rate
State Psychologist (NCSP Praxis Exam)2020-2021
(18/18) 100% Not required
Positive Behavioral Support, Graduate Certificate202063%66% (National)
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MA Flagstaff2020100%80% (National)
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MA Phoenix201980%90.5%

Professional Education Programs: Initial Teacher Preparation Programs Accordion Closed

All NAU students pursuing an initial teacher preparation program at the undergraduate or graduate level are required to take an Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment/National Evaluation Services licensure exam intended to measure candidate professional knowledge and skills aligned to the relevant certificate area. This is an Arizona State Board of Education certification requirement. Several graduate degree programs in school leadership or other school professional programs leading to certification also require candidates to pass licensure exams. These exams provide a summative assessment of candidate knowledge and skills related to the Interstate Teacher Assessment & Support Consortium (InTASC) categories and standards or other professional standards specific to the discipline (i.e., educational leadership, counseling, school psychology).

In November 2017, NAU was nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) for the initial teacher preparation and advanced programs leading to licensure in the state of Arizona. NAU’s initial teacher preparation and advanced programs are also nationally recognized by the discipline Specialized Professional Association or external accrediting agency and approved by the Arizona State Board of Education. Examples of licensure exam rates for NAU graduates are noted in the following table. NOTE: Aggregated scores are only reported when there are 10 or more candidates

Overall Teacher Certification Licensure Exams Pass Rate

Professional Knowledge ExamYearNumber Taking TestNumber PassingNAU Pass Rate
Early Childhood*2019-202010880%
Elementary**2019-202029729098%
Secondary***2019-2020979598%

Note: Students in the following programs take the above-listed exams, respectively:

*COE: BSEd Early Childhood Education; BSEd Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education; MEd Special Education – Early Childhood Special Education with Certification

**COE: BSEd Elementary Education; MEd Elementary Education – Certification; BSEd Special and Elementary Education; MEd Special Education – Mild/Moderate Disabilities

***CAL: BSEd Art Education; BSEd Secondary Education, English; BSEd Secondary Education, History & Social Studies; BMEd Music Secondary Education; BSEd Secondary Education, Spanish; MAT Spanish Education

***CEIAS: BSEd Secondary Education, Physics

***CEFNS: BSEd Secondary Education, Biology; BSEd Secondary Education, Chemistry; BSEd Secondary Education, Earth Science; BSEd Secondary Education, General Science; BSEd Secondary Education, Mathematics; MAT Teaching Science with Certification

***CHHS: BSEd Health Sciences – Physical Education

Overall Teacher Certification Licensure Exams Pass Rate

Program CompletersNumber Taking TestNumber PassingNAU Pass RateStatewide Average Pass Rate
2019-202055354298%Not Yet Available

Professional Education Programs: Advanced Educator Programs Accordion Closed

The Principal and Superintendent programs are the only advanced preparation programs that require completion of a licensure exam for certification.

AEPA/NES principal and superintendent exams pass rates

Note: Scores are only reported when there are 10 or more candidates. Additionally, NAU only has access to results if candidates note that NAU may receive the results when registering for the exam.

AY 2018-2019, Program Completers

  • Principal Graduate Certificate & MED Educational Leadership, Principal = 144
  • Superintendent Graduate Certificate & EDD Educational Leadership, K-12 Emphasis = 39 *one student completed both programs simultaneously and is counted twice

Overall Assessment Pass Rates, aggregated across the Principal Exam, Principal Sub-test 1 & Sub-test 2.

Program CompletersNumber Taking TestNumber Passing TestPass Rate (%)
AY 2019-2020

32

29

91%

Overall Assessment Pass Rates, aggregated across the Superintendent Exam, Superintendent Sub-test 1 & Sub-test 2.

Program CompletersNumber Taking TestNumber Passing TestPass Rate (%)
AY 2019-2020

10

5

50%

 

The W. A. Franke College of Business Accordion Closed

Academic ProgramYearNAU Pass RateState or National Pass Rate
Certified Public Account (CPA)201965.1%52.8%

For more information on out-of-state professional licensure visit Professional Licensure Information.

Updated: 1/30/2023