University Accreditation

The University of New Haven is a coeducational, nonsectarian, independent institution of higher learning, chartered by the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut.

The University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.), and has been since 1948.

Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Commission indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically applied though a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.

Accreditation by the Commission is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.

Demonstrated Excellence

NECHE develops and applies criteria for the assessment of educational effectiveness among institutions of higher education. The Commission assures the education community, the public and interested agencies that accredited institutions have clearly defined objectives that meet the criteria published by the Commission and that they have the organization, staffing and resources to continue to accomplish these objectives.

The University of New Haven underwent its routine comprehensive evaluation visit November 8-10, 2010, by a team representing the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.). Following the team's positive recommendations, the University's accreditation was extended for the maximum allowable ten years until 2020. The University has been accredited by the Commission since 1948.

Accreditations

In addition to NECHE accreditation, the University is proud to be accredited by a number of national institutions and agencies.

ABET Accreditation of Engineering and Computer Science Programs

The B.S. program in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Chemical, Biochemical, Biomolecular and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

The B.S. program in Civil Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

The B.S. program in Computer Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

The B.S. program in Electrical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

The B.S. program in Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mechanical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

The B.S. program in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Computer Science and Similarly Named Computing Programs.

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) is the accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as registered dietitian nutritionists or registered nutrition and dietetics technicians. The University's undergraduate program in Nutrition & Dietetics is ACEND-accredited.

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education

The Doctorate in Occupational Therapy program has been granted Candidacy status by ACOTE. Candidacy Status indicates that the plans and resource allocations for the proposed program appear to demonstrate the ability to comply with the ACOTE Accreditation Standards. The program will admit its first class of students for the Fall term 2023. The program must complete a pre-accreditation review and an initial on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam.

American Bar Association - Standing Committee on Paralegals (approved program)

The University's undergraduate Legal Studies program is approved by the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Paralegals. The committee develops and promotes policies relating to the education, employment, training and effective use of paralegals, and monitors trends in the field.

American Chemical Society (certified)

The University's undergraduate Chemistry program is certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS), which promotes excellence in chemistry education for undergraduate students. ACS-approved programs offer a broad-based and rigorous chemistry education that gives students intellectual, experimental, and communication skills to become effective scientific professionals.

Our Pompea College of Business is Among the Top 5 Percent Worldwide

Our Pompea College of Business has been accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) since 2015, and in 2020 that accreditation was renewed through the 2024-2025 academic year. AACSB accreditation means that our Pompea College of Business has passed a rigorous set of standards. The faculty, students, programs, and research have been closely examined and judged to be of exceptionally high standards. AACSB accreditation means our Pompea College of Business has proven to be among the best in business education anywhere in the world. This quality is recognized across the globe by top employers, other universities, and recruiters. Graduates from AACSB-accredited schools are recognized and generally receive higher, more competitive salaries.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

The University's Paramedicine program is offered in partnership with Yale New Haven Hospital Center for EMS which is accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, which is the largest programmatic accreditor of the health sciences professions. CAAHEP reviews and accredits over 2,100 individual education programs in 30 health science occupations. Programs are assessed on an ongoing basis to assure that they meet the Standards and Guidelines of each profession.

Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education

The University's Master of Healthcare Administration is the only such program in Connecticut – and one of just four in New England – that is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). CAHME works with more than 100 leading academic programs and numerous healthcare practitioners to ensure that graduates entering the healthcare field have undergone an educational process meeting rigorous, measurable standards for effectiveness. Students the program are also able to compete for national scholarships, competitions, and post-graduate administrative fellowship opportunities that are open only to those in CAHME-accredited programs.

Commission on Dental Accreditation

The University of New Haven's Dental Hygiene Associate in Science program is accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), and has been granted the accreditation status of "approval without reporting requirements." The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education, and is the only agency to accredit post-secondary dental and dental-related education programs nationwide.

Council for Interior Design Accreditation

The University of New Haven interior design program leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design with a General or Pre-Architecture concentration is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, www.accredit-id.org, 206 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW, Suite 350, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, for advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations. The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design with a General or Pre-Architecture concentration granted by University of New Haven meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). For more information about NCIDQ Exam eligibility visit: http://www.cidq.org/eligibility-requirements.

National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations

The University of New Haven has been designated by the National Security Agency (NSA) as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO). The certification recognizes the Cyber Operations pathway in the University's B.S. in Computer Science with concentration in Cybersecurity, and the B.S. in Cybersecurity programs. These pathways use the electives within our programs to help satisfy all ten mandatory knowledge units and six additional knowledge units so our students can earn the Cyber Operations designation within the undergraduate program. There are currently 21 schools in the United States that feature Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations supported by the NSA.

Fire Emergency Services Higher Education (approved program)

The Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) network of emergency services-related education and training providers recognizes the University of New Haven's B.S. and A.S. in Fire Science as approved programs. FESHE promotes education in fire and emergency services as a profession to reduce loss of life and property from fire and other hazards.

Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission

The University of New Haven's B.S. and M.S. programs in Forensic Science are accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC). The Commission maintains standards to distinguish and recognize high quality undergraduate and graduate forensic science programs.

National Association of Schools of Art & Design Accreditation

The University of New Haven is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD). This mark of excellence designates the University's B.A. in Art & Creative Technology and B.F.A. programs in Graphic and Digital Design, and Interior Design as nationally accredited programs.

Additional Certifications and Endorsements

Specific colleges and programs hold various forms of professional accreditation, certification, or endorsement; these additional credentials are listed on the relevant college and program pages.

Now that you've seen our formal accreditations, why not check out some of the other exciting awards and honors the University has received?

Awards and Affiliations

Admissions Visit Opportunities