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Accreditation

WSU is an accredited higher education institution with more than 30 academic programs that also hold specialized accreditation, certification, or recognition.

Institution Accreditations & Recognitions

First accredited in 1913, Winona State University has been recognized by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) for our academic quality.

The WSU Children’s Center is additionally accredited by the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

WSU holds awards for:

  • Tree Campus
  • Carnegie Engaged Campus
  • Best in the Midwest
  • Green Campus
  • Military Friendly
Academic Program Accreditations & Recognitions
College of Business

Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB)

College of Education

Accredited by the Council for
Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

Accredited by the Minnesota Board of School Administrators (BOSA)

Accredited by Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB)

College of Liberal Arts

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)

Approved by the American Bar Association

College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)

Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing

Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

Approved by Minnesota Board of Nursing

College of Science & Engineering

Accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS)

Accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

Memberships
University AreaOrganization
President's OfficeAmerican Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U)
President's OfficeAmerican Association of State Colleges & Universities (AASCU)
President's OfficeAmerican Association of University Women (AAUW)
President's OfficeHigher Learning Commission (HLC)
President's OfficeMinnesota Campus Compact (MnCC)
President's OfficeRochester Chamber of Commerce (RCC)
President's OfficeState Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)
President's OfficeVoluntary System of Accountability (VSA)
President's OfficeWinona Chamber of Commerce (WCC)
Academic AffairsAmerican Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
Academic AffairsAssociation to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Academic AffairsAmerican Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE)
Academic AffairsCommission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
Academic AffairsCouncil for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Academic AffairsCouncil for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL)
Academic AffairsCouncil for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Academic AffairsCouncil of Colleges of Arts and Sciences (CCAS)
Academic AffairsCommission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Academic AffairsCouncil of Graduate Schools (CGS)
Academic AffairsCouncil for Social Work Education (CSWE)
Academic AffairsMinnesota Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE)
Academic AffairsNational Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
Academic AffairsNational Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)
Academic AffairsUniversity Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA)
Finance & AdministrationAmerican College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC)
Finance & AdministrationSociety of College and University Planning (SCUP)
Student Life & Development American Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
Student Life & DevelopmentStudent Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA)
University AdvancementCouncil for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
State Authorization

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is an agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs.

It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state.

WSU is a member of National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), which means we share a reciprocity agreement with all states who are part of the NC-SARA group.

To find out if you live in a state that has joined this consortium, view the NC-SARA directory. If you don’t see your state listed as NC-SARA approved, fear not. More states are coming on board quickly, and soon we anticipate that most states will be participating.

Winona State University has been approved by the State of Minnesota to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education.

Professional Licensure

Before enrolling in an online educational program that leads to professional licensure, a student should be assured that the program meets the requirements for the particular occupation in the state in which the student resides or intends to practice.

To help identify the requirements for each state and the District of Columbia, our NC-SARA organization has provided resources and contact information for the five most common programs leading to professional licensure:

  • Counseling
  • Nursing
  • Psychology
  • Social Work
  • Teacher Education

To access this contact information or to find out more about professional licensure and program accreditation, visit the NC-SARA Professional Licensure site.

Student Consumer Complaint Process

Pursuant to the United States Department of Education’s Program Integrity Rule, institutions providing online education are required to provide all prospective and current students contact information of the state agency or agencies that handle complaints against postsecondary education institutions offering distance learning within that state.

We encourage you to seek resolution to any concerns by discussing them informally with a staff member at the University. If a complaint cannot be handled informally, WSU students are encouraged to use our University’s complaint process, outlined in the Student Handbook.

If a complaint cannot be resolved at the University level, you may contact the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. If you reside in another state, you may contact your local state agency for further information.