Accreditation

AU is a publicly funded post-secondary institution, one of four public comprehensive universities in the Province of Alberta, Canada. You can rest assured that your AU experience represents a rigorous, high quality university education. We are a respected and recognized university with a proven track record.

Canada

AU is recognized by the Government of Alberta and reports to the Government of Alberta through the Ministry of Advanced Education. AU's quality assurance mechanisms and program proposals are reviewed by the Campus Alberta Quality Council. AU has the mandate for the provision of university-level distance education programs in Alberta. Through Alberta's Post-secondary Learning Act, the government authorizes The Governors of Athabasca University to govern the university and to grant degrees. Members of the board are appointed by Orders in Council of the Government of Alberta.

United States

Athabasca University is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

In 2006, AU became the first Canadian public university to receive accreditation in the United States, through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), one of six regional organizations in the U.S. that accredits universities.

Important Note for Prospective Students: If you are considering an academic program that leads to a professional license or certification in your province or state, please contact the appropriate licensing agency in that jurisdiction prior to enrolling. As a student, it is your responsibility to contact the appropriate licensing board to confirm whether an Athabasca University program will meet the requirements for licensure in that jurisdiction.

Athabasca University cannot imply, promise, or guarantee that credits earned at the University will transfer to other institutions, since such determinations are made according to the policies of the receiving institution. If you are considering transferring to another school, it is your responsibility to determine whether that school will accept your academic credits. You are encouraged to make this determination as early as possible.

Athabasca University is in compliance with regulations concerning postsecondary distance education in the following states. Please note this list is subject to change without notice.

California
As an out-of-state public institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Athabasca University is not under the purview of the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education. Bureau approval for Athabasca University to offer its programs to residents of California is not required. Therefore, Athabasca University is in compliance with California regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.

Connecticut
Athabasca University is not required by the Connecticut Office of Higher Education to obtain approval from the Office to offer its programs to residents of Connecticut. Therefore, Athabasca University is in compliance with Connecticut regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.

Hawaii
Because Athabasca University does not have a physical presence in state, Athabasca University is not required by the Hawaii Postsecondary Education Authorization Program to obtain approval from the Program to offer its programs to residents of Hawaii. Therefore, Athabasca University is in compliance with Hawaii regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.

Idaho
Because Athabasca University does not have a physical presence in state, Athabasca University is not required by the Idaho State Board of Education to obtain approval to offer its programs to residents of Idaho. Therefore, Athabasca University is in compliance with Idaho regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.

Indiana
Because Athabasca University does not have a physical presence in state, Athabasca University is not required by the Indiana Board for Proprietary Education to obtain approval to offer its programs to residents of Indiana. Therefore, Athabasca University is in compliance with Indiana regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.

Kansas
Because Athabasca University does not have a physical presence in state, Athabasca University is not required obtain approval from the Kansas Board of Regents to offer its programs to residents of Kansas. Therefore, Athabasca University is in compliance with Kansas regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.

Louisiana
Athabasca University is not required by the Louisiana Board of Regents to obtain approval from the Office to offer its programs to residents of Louisiana. Therefore, Athabasca University is in compliance with Louisiana regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.

Nebraska
Because Athabasca University does not have a physical presence in the state, Athabasca University is not required by the Nebraska’s Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education to obtain approval from to offer its programs to residents of Nebraska. Therefore, Athabasca University is in compliance with Nebraska regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.

Nevada
According to the State of Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education, Athabasca University is not required to be licensed in Nevada by the Commission on Postsecondary Education. Therefore Athabasca University is in compliance with Nevada state authorization requirements.

New Jersey
Because Athabasca University does not have a physical presence in the state, Athabasca University is not required by the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education to obtain approval to offer its programs to residents of New Jersey. Therefore, Athabasca University is in compliance with New Jersey regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.

New York
Because Athabasca University does not operate an instructional site, sponsor organized activities, have a representative acting on its behalf in New York, or place students in clinical internships there, Athabasca University is not required to obtain authorization to operate by the New York State Board of Regents. Therefore, Athabasca University is in compliance with New York regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.

Oklahoma
As an out-of-state public institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Athabasca University is not under the purview of the Oklahoma State Regents. Bureau approval for Athabasca University to offer its programs to residents of Oklahoma is not required. Therefore, Athabasca University is in compliance with Oklahoma regulations concerning postsecondary education.

South Carolina
Because Athabasca University does not have a physical presence in the state, Athabasca University is not required by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education to obtain approval from the Commission to offer its programs to residents of South Carolina. Therefore, Athabasca University is in compliance with South Carolina regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.

South Dakota
Because Athabasca University does not have a physical presence in the state, Athabasca University is not required by the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office to obtain approval to offer its programs to residents of South Dakota. Therefore, Athabasca University is in compliance with South Dakota regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.

Texas
Because Athabasca University does not have a physical presence in the state, it is exempt under Rule 7.14 Distance Education Approval Process for Degree Granting Colleges and Universities other than Texas Public Institutions of the Texas Administrative Code. Athabasca University is therefore in compliance with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Virginia
Because Athabasca University does not have a physical presence in the state, Athabasca University is not required by the Virginia State Council on Higher Education to obtain approval to offer its programs to residents of Virginia. Therefore, Athabasca University is in compliance with Virginia regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.

Washington State
Because Athabasca University does not have a physical presence in state, Athabasca University is not required by the Washington Student Achievement Council to obtain approval to offer its programs to residents of Washington. Therefore, Athabasca University is in compliance with Washington regulations concerning postsecondary distance education.

AACSB accreditation

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) announced on Feb. 16, 2022, that Athabasca University’s Faculty of Business earned accreditation as one of the world’s best business schools.

Founded in 1916, AACSB is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools, and the largest business education network connecting learners, educators, and businesses worldwide.

Synonymous with the highest standards of quality, AACSB accreditation inspires new ways of thinking within business education globally. As a result, fewer than 6% of the world's schools offering business degree programs hold <AACSB business accreditation.

AACSB accreditation ensures continuous improvement and provides focus for schools to deliver on their mission, innovate, and drive impact. AACSB-accredited schools have successfully undergone a rigorous review process conducted by their peers in the business education community, ensuring that they have the resources, credentials, and commitment needed to provide students with a first-rate, future-focused business education.

Follow the link below to learn more about AACSB accreditation on the Faculty of Business website:

Learn more about AACSB accreditation

Memberships

AU is a full member of the following associations:

Updated November 01, 2024 by Digital & Web Operations, University Relations (web_services@athabascau.ca)