Belhaven University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master's, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees. Belhaven University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Belhaven University 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)
WHY IS ACCREDITATION IMPORTANT?
As stated on the Council for Higher Education Accreditation web site, accreditation is important because:
- Students who want federal (and sometimes state) grants and loans need to attend a college, university, or program that is accredited.
- Employers ask if a college, university, or program is accredited before deciding to provide tuition assistance to current employees, evaluating the credentials of new employees, or making a charitable contribution.
- The federal government requires that a college, university, or program be accredited in order to be eligible for federal grants and loans or other federal funds.
- State governments require that a college, university, or program be accredited when they make state funds available to students or institutions and when they allow students to sit for state licensure examinations in some professional fields.
Programmatic Accreditation
Belhaven University is one of 39 institutions accredited in all four of the major arts – music, dance, theater, and visual arts.
Belhaven University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Address: 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190-5248.
Belhaven University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
The Department of Dance is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).
The Department of Theatre is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST).
The Academic Business Unit at Belhaven University has received specialized accreditation for its business program(s) through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), located at 11960 Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas, USA. For a list of accredited programs please view our IACBE member status page. The most recent report of student learning outcomes is available by downloading the most recent Public Disclosure of Student Achievement Report. Retention rate is the percentage of the program's students enrolled in Fall 2022 who did not graduate by Fall 2022 but were enrolled in Fall 2023.
The School of Education is approved by the Mississippi Board of Education to offer teacher education programs. The programs are reviewed annually by the State Department of Education (MDE) to ensure state standards are met in accordance with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and MDE State Partnership protocol for continuing accreditation.
The School of Education is nationally recognized the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), having received full accreditation in Fall 2023 for all initial teacher educator licensure and advanced administrator licensure programs.
The School of Nursing’s baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) is accredited by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Belhaven University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
The Belhaven University social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The Department of Social Work report of assessment outcomes is available for download.
State Licensure
Belhaven University, through the Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation, participates in The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement. This agreement allows Belhaven to offer distance programs and courses to residents of member states without seeking state-by-state approval, and is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state.
If you are an online student residing in a state not listed below please contact the Dean of Online Studies’ Office at 601-968-5942 for information regarding your state. Students in the online program with complaints not resolved at the institution level may refer to the Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation& Student Complaint Process web site, the Belhaven University complaint resolution process and the Student Complaint Form (PDF).
Georgia Licensure
Licensed by the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the State of Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission, 2082 East Exchange Place, Suite 220 Tucker, Georgia 30084-5305, or by calling 770-414-3300. For Georgia Students: If a complaint is not settled at the institutional level, the student may contact the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC) at 770-414-3300.
Mississippi Licensure
Licensed by the Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation, 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS 39211 or by calling 601-432-6372.
Affiliations
Belhaven University is a member of the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges, the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.
Verse of the Year
For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Psalm 100:5