Accreditation - Susquehanna University

Accredited & Industry-Aligned Education

At Susquehanna University, you’ll find exceptional academics paired with unmatched opportunities — all at a great value. Our distinctive approach to hands-on learning ensures you’re not just earning a degree, but building the skills, confidence and perspective to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

University Accreditation & Authorization

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

Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Attn: Complaints
1007 North Orange Street
4th Floor, MB No. 166
Wilmington, DE 19801
Middle States complaints website

Susquehanna University was established Sept. 1, 1858, and incorporated by Decree of Court under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on Sept. 24, 1858, as the Missionary Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. It was renamed by Amendment of its Charter on Feb. 25, 1895, as Susquehanna University of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and further renamed Susquehanna University by Amendment and Restatement of its Articles of Incorporation on July 31, 1998.

All degree programs are authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Postsecondary and Adult Education.

Division of Higher Education, Access, and Equity
Pennsylvania Department of Education
607 South Drive, 3rd Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: (717) 783-6786
RA-HigherEducation@pa.gov
PDE student complaints website

Program Accreditations & Authorizations

In addition to institution-wide accreditation, specific university programs have met the standards of “specialized” accreditors:

Sigmund Weis School of Business

The business school is accredited by AACSB International (the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), a distinction earned by fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide. This prestigious accreditation is recognized globally by leading employers, universities, and recruiters as a mark of excellence. Graduates of AACSB-accredited programs are highly regarded and often command higher, more competitive salaries.

AACSB International
777 S. Harbour Island Blvd, Suite 750
Tampa, Florida 33602
Phone: (813) 769-6500
AACSB website

Chemistry Department

The chemistry degree curriculum is certified by the American Chemical Society,, 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.

Office of Professional Training
American Chemical Society
1155 Sixteenth St., NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: (202) 872-4589 or (800) 227-5558
Fax: (202) 872-6066

ACS website

Education Department

Teacher education certificate programs — Biology (7–12), Chemistry (7–12), Citizenship Education (7–12), Earth & Space Science (7–12), English (7–12), English as a Second Language (PK–12), French (PK–12), General Science (7–12), German (PK–12), Grades (PK–4), Mathematics (7–12), Music (PK–12), Physics (7–12), Social Studies (7–12), Spanish (PK–12), Special Education (PK–12)/(PK-8) — are approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Division of Higher Education, Access, and Equity
Pennsylvania Department of Education
607 South Drive, 3rd Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: (717) 783-6786
RA-HigherEducation@pa.gov
PDE website

Finance Department

The finance degree program is certified by the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute. Students gain the advantage of a practice-focused degree program that is connected to a globally recognized professional credential.

CFA Institute Professional Conduct Program
915 East High Street, Ste. 100
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Phone: (434) 951-5499 or (800) 247-8132
Fax: (434) 951-5450

CFA Institute website

Music Department

The music degree programs are accredited by the National Association of School of Music. This designation affirms the national accreditation of the university’s Bachelor of Arts in Music and Bachelor of Music programs in music education, performance, and composition, recognizing their adherence to rigorous academic and artistic standards.

National Association of Schools of Music
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston, VA 20190-5248
Phone: (703) 437-0700
Fax: (703) 437-6312

NASM website

Cooperative Programs

Community College Dual Admission and Transfer Agreements

Susquehanna University makes higher education accessible and affordable for students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. We maintain strategic partnerships with regional educational institutions to guarantee admission for graduates seeking to complete their bachelor’s degrees at the university. See articulation agreements with the community colleges.

Dual-Degree and Post-Graduate Affiliated Agreements

Susquehanna’s dual degree programs offer an efficient path to earning two degrees — helping some students save time, reduce costs and enter the workforce sooner. For students already enrolled at or graduating from Susquehanna with an interest in an engineering degree, an MBA, or other graduate/doctoral programs, the university has several cooperative education agreements.

Reciprocity Authorization for Online Courses

Susquehanna University is authorized by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) to offer distance education programs (such as online courses) to students in any of the 49 SARA member states, territories, or districts. Participation in SARA requires institutions to meet certain academic and consumer protection standards, giving students more confidence in the quality and integrity of the programs.

SARA student complaints website

Financial Aid Transparency & Authorization

Susquehanna University is committed to College Cost Transparency Initiative standards for ensuring transparency and clarity around student financial aid offers.

As an accredited institution, Susquehanna University is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in Title IV Federal Student Aid programs. These include the Federal Pell Grant Program, Federal Direct Student Loan Program, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Program, Federal Work-Study Program, and the TEACH Grant Program.

Additionally, Susquehanna is a designated Yellow Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The university is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for veterans and eligible dependents to receive education benefits through the VA.

Non-Immigrant Enrollment Authorization

Susquehanna University is certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), under the authority of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS–ICE), to enroll non-immigrant students.

Institutional Memberships

Susquehanna University is a proud member of The Annapolis Group, a consortium of approximately 130 leading national independent liberal arts colleges.

The university also holds additional institutional memberships that align with and support its mission-wide commitments: