Accreditation and Academic Standards

Fully accredited.

Established in 1895, Graceland University has always strived to maintain the highest academic integrity possible. The university undergoes a rigorous accreditation process on a regular basis.

Below are Graceland’s current accreditations.

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Graceland University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1920. Graceland’s accreditation was most recently reaffirmed in 2017, and the next reaffirmation is scheduled for 2027.

Obtain an official copy of Graceland University’s HLC accreditation details.

Graceland University’s online programs have been approved by the State of Iowa to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).

NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education, and Graceland has been a member since February 2016. Membership requires annual renewal, which takes place each February.

Graceland is approved to operate in Missouri by the Missouri Department of Higher Education.

Graceland University’s undergraduate Teacher Education program is accredited by the Iowa Department of Education (IDOE).

Full accreditation from the IDOE was most recently renewed January 11, 2024, after a September 2023 review. It will be up for renewal in 2029 when Graceland will participate in an on-site accreditation review.

The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, post-graduate APRN certificate programs, and Doctor of Nursing Practice at Graceland University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202)887.6791. View Graceland’s accreditation details.

The master’s and doctoral degrees in nursing have full approval status with the Iowa State Board of Nursing. View Iowa MSN accreditation. View Iowa DNP accreditation.

The baccalaureate degrees in nursing have full approval status with the Iowa and Missouri State Boards of Nursing. View Iowa BSN accreditation. View Missouri pass rates.

CAPTE: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education

Effective December 1, 2023, Graceland University has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 816-423-4700 or email dpt-program@graceland.edu.

Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.

Candidacy is considered to be an accredited status, as such the credits and degree earned from a program with Candidacy status are considered, by CAPTE, to be from an accredited program. Therefore, students in the charter (first) class should be eligible to take the licensure exam even if CAPTE withholds accreditation at the end of the candidacy period. That said, it is up to each state licensing agency, not CAPTE, to determine who is eligible for licensure. Information on licensing requirements should be directed to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT; www.fsbpt.org) or specific state boards (a list of state boards and contact information is available on FSBPT’s website).