Skip to main content

Specialized Program Accreditation

There are two basic types of educational accreditation, one referred to as “institutional” and the other referred to as “specialized.” Institutional accreditation applies to an entire institution, indicating that each of an institution’s parts is contributing to the achievement of the institution’s objectives. NC State is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Specialized program accreditation normally applies to programs, departments, or schools that are parts of an institution. Certain individual programs and units at NC State undergo a regular reaffirmation of accreditation process. These processes are similar to university-wide accreditation, as they are peer-reviewed, with goals and standards designed for specific programs/units. The Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost maintains a directory of specialized accreditations held by NC State colleges, programs and units.

Compliance Requirements

Specialized program accreditation at NC State is guided by a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and informed by SACSCOC principles 14.1 (Publication of accreditation status) and 14.4 (Representation to other agencies). As outlined in the SOP, the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost reviews each self study prior to submission in order to ensure compliance with SACSCOC principles 14.1 and 14.4.

Currently, NC State has 17 program-specific accrediting agencies. Each NC State degree program that is affiliated with a disciplinary/professional accrediting agency is accredited. The following disciplinary/professional accreditors are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE):

  • National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
  • American Psychological Association (APA)
  • American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

Per SACSCOC principle 14.4 (Representation to other agencies), NC State must accurately represent itself to all DOE-recognized accrediting agencies.  The following university overview information has been provided to each DOE-recognized accrediting agency and programs recognized by other accrediting agencies should also use this language for their accreditation and/or external review documents.

NC State was founded in 1887, and is a public research institution with its main campus in Raleigh, North Carolina. The university is part of the University of North Carolina System and is governed by the UNC Board of Governors and NC State’s Board of Trustees.

NC State embodies the ideal that higher education should be accessible to all. The university began as a land-grant institution grounded in agriculture and engineering. Since that time, NC State has made great strides in creating prosperity for North Carolina and the nation, and is a pre-eminent research enterprise that excels across disciplines.

NC State is a powerhouse in science, technology, engineering and math. The university leads in agriculture, education, textiles, business and natural resources management. The university is at the forefront of teaching and research in design, the humanities and the social sciences. Additionally, the university is home to one of the world’s best colleges of veterinary medicine.

Thus, NC State includes a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Design, College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Natural Resources, the Poole College of Management, College of Sciences, the Wilson College of Textiles, College of Veterinary Medicine and the Graduate School. NC State’s colleges collectively offer more than 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through 65 departments.

NC State’s mission is dedicated to excellent teaching, the creation and application of knowledge, and engagement with public and private partners. By uniting strengths in science and technology with a commitment to excellence in a comprehensive range of disciplines, NC State promotes an integrated approach to problem solving that transforms lives and provides leadership for social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina and around the world. NC State’s vision is to emerge as a preeminent technological research university recognized worldwide for its innovative education and research addressing the grand challenges of society.

Consistent with our history, mission and vision, NC State affirms these core values: integrity in the pursuit, creation, application and dissemination of knowledge; freedom of thought and expression; respect for cultural and intellectual diversity; responsibility for individual actions and service to society; stewardship in sustaining economic and natural resources; and excellence in all endeavors.

NC State is the largest of the 16 higher education institutions in the UNC System, with more than 2,000 faculty members, an administrative and support staff of more than 5,500, and a current enrollment of nearly 24,000 undergraduates and 9,500 graduate students from across the state and around the world. As of fall 2018, 26 percent of faculty identified as non-white; 37 percent identified as female; and 65 percent were tenured or tenure-track.

Tuition and fees for the 2019-2020 academic year for full-time resident undergraduate students were $9,100, and for full-time resident graduate students were $11,672. NC State maintained a $1.657 billion budget for fiscal year 2018 and a $1.3 billion endowment for that same time period.

Academic Program Accreditation

Professional academic programs in a number of disciplines at NC State are accredited by specialized organizations that evaluate curricula, resources and program effectiveness in preparing students for post-graduate careers in specialized fields. Information on accredited programs is provided for disciplines within the following colleges.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Program NameAccrediting BodyLast Yr AccredNext Yr AccredTypical Cycle LengthYr to Start Next Self-study to Prepare for Accreditation
Agricultural Education (BS) *Accredited through the College of EducationCouncil for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)201520227 years2021
Biological Engineering (BS) *Accredited through the College of EngineeringABET201720236 years2022

College of Design

Program NameAccrediting BodyLast Yr AccredNext Yr AccredTypical Cycle LengthYr to Start Next Self-study to Prepare for Accreditation
Architecture (B, Arch) (M.Arch)National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB)201820268 years2023
Graphic Design (BGD, MGD)National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)20122021*10 years2020
Industrial Design (BID, MID)National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)20122021*10 years2020
Landscape Architecture (MLA)Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB)201620226 years2021
*This site visit has been rescheduled for a later date due to COVID-19

College of Education

Program NameAccrediting BodyLast Yr AccredNext Yr AccredTypical Cycle LengthYr to Start Next Self-study to Prepare for Accred
Counselor Education (PhD, MEd)
(MEd concentrations are: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, and College Counseling)
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)20122021*8 years2019
All teacher education
programs, School Counselor (MEd, MS),
School Administration (MSA) and School
Social Work (MR) at
initial and advanced levels.
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)201520228 years2021
*This site visit has been rescheduled for a later date due to COVID-19

College of Engineering

Program NameAccrediting BodyAccreditation DatesDate of Next Comprehensive Review
Aerospace Engineering (BS)ABET10/1/1948 - Present2022 - 2023
Biological Engineering (BS)ABET10/1/1958 - Present2022 - 2023
Biomedical Engineering (BS)ABET10/1/2002 - Present 2022 - 2023
Chemical Engineering (BS)ABET10/1/1948 - Present2022 - 2023
Civil Engineering (BS)ABET10/1/1936 - Present2022 - 2023
Computer Engineering (BS)ABET10/1/1988 - Present2022 - 2023
Computer Science (BS)ABET10/1/1987 - Present2022 - 2023
Construction Engineering and Management (BS)ABET10/1/1958 - Present2022 - 2023
Electrical Engineering (BS)ABET10/1/1936 - Present2022 - 2023
Engineering – Mechatronics Concentration (BS) (Joint Program with UNC-Asheville)ABET10/1/2009 - Present2022 - 2023
Engineering-Mechanical Engineering Systems Concentration (BS)ABET10/1/2011 - Present2022 - 2023
Environmental Engineering (BS)ABET10/1/1993 - Present2022 - 2023
Industrial Engineering (BS)ABET10/1/1948 - Present2022 - 2023
Materials Science and Engineering (BS)ABET10/1/1969 - Present2022 - 2023
Mechanical Engineering (BS)ABET10/1/1936 - Present2022 - 2023
Nuclear Engineering (BS)ABET10/1/1965 - Present2022 - 2023
Paper Science and Engineering (BS)ABET10/1/2003 - Present2022 - 2023
Textile Engineering (BS)ABET10/1/1988 - Present2022 - 2023

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Program NameAccrediting BodyLast Yr AccredNext Yr AccredTypical Cycle LengthYr to Start Next Self-study to Prepare for Accred
Human Factors/Ergonomics Psycholoy (PhD)Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES)201820246 years2023
Public Administration (MPA)National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)20142021*7 years2018
School Psychology (PhD)American Psychological Association20142021**7 years2018
Social Work (BSW) (MSW)Council on Social Work201320298 years2026
Spanish/French Education (LAA, LTA, LTF)Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)201520227 years2021
*Review Complete, Awaiting Results
**This site visit has been rescheduled for a later date due to COVID-19

Poole College of Management

Program NameAccrediting BodyLast Yr AccredNext Yr AccredTypical Cycle LengthYr to Start Next Self-study to Prepare for Accred
Accounting (BS, MAC)Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)202020255 years2024
Business Administration (BS, MBA)Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)202020255 years2024
Master of Global Innovation Management (MGIM)Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)202020255 years2024

College of Natural Resources

Program NameAccrediting BodyLast Yr AccredNext Yr AccredTypical Cycle LengthYr to Start Next Self-study to Prepare for Accred
Natural Resources (BS)Society of American Foresters2016202610 years2024
Forest Management (BS)Society of American Foresters2015202610 years2024
Master of ForestrySociety of American Foresters2016202610 years2024
Paper Science & Engineering (BS)ABET201720236 years2022
Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management (BS)Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions201720247 years2023
Professional Golf Management (BS)Professional Golf Association of America20152021*5 years2019
Sustainable Materials & Technology (BS)Society of Wood Science and Technology2015202510 years2024
*This site visit has been rescheduled for a later date due to COVID-19

College of undefinedSciences

Program NameAccrediting BodyLast Yr AccredNext Yr AccredTypical Cycle LengthYr to Start Next Self-study to Prepare for Accred
Chemistry (BS)American Chemical Society (ACS)201720235 years2022

Wilson College of Textiles

Program NameAccrediting BodyLast Yr AccredNext Yr AccredTypical Cycle LengthYr to Start Next Self-study to Prepare for Accred
Textile Engineering (BS)ABET201720236 years2022

College of Veterinary Medicine

Program NameAccrediting BodyLast Yr AccredNext Yr AccredTypical Cycle LengthYr to Start Next Self-study to Prepare for Accred
Veterinary Medicine (DVM)American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education20142021*7 years2020
*Review Complete, Awaiting Results

Administrative Program Accreditation and Certification

Some student support programs, administrative services and animal care facilities are accredited by professional associations that have established best practice standards. Information on accredited student support programs is provided for the following administrative units.

Division of Academic and Student Affairs

Program NameAccrediting BodyLast Yr AccredNext Yr AccredTypical Cycle LengthYr to Start Next Self-study to Prepare for Accred
Academic Skills Enhancement
Program within the Academic
Support Program for Student Athletes
International Tutor Program
Certification within the College Reading &
Learning Association (CRLS)
201920245 years2023
Cooperative Education
(On-the-job experience in chosen field)
Council for Cooperative Education201620226 years2021
Counseling CenterInternational Association of Counseling Services, Inc. (IACS)201520238 yearsongoing (annual report required), 2022
Student Health ServicesAssociation for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)201920223 yearsongoing
Student Health ServicesCommission on Office Laboratory Assessment (COLA)202020222 yearsongoing
UG Tutorial Center ProgramCollege Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) International Tutor Training Program Certification201920245 years2023

Environmental Health and Public Safety

Program NameAccrediting BodyLast Yr AccredNext Yr AccredTypical Cycle LengthYr to Start Next Self-study to Prepare for Accred
Campus PoliceCommission on the
Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies |
International Association of Campus Law
Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA)
2020 | 20202024 | 20244 years | 4 yearsongoing | ongoing

College of Veterinary Medicine

Program NameAccrediting BodyLast Yr AccredNext Yr AccredTypical Cycle LengthYr to Start Next Self-study to Prepare for Accred
Veterinary HospitalAmerican Veterinary
Medical Association (AVMA)
Inspection 2014Inspection 2021*7 yearsn/a
Lab Animal FacilitiesAssociation for Assessment and
Accreditation of Laboratory
Animal Care (AAALAC)
Inspection 2018Inspection 2021*3 yearsn/a
*This site visit has been rescheduled for a later date due to COVID-19

Contact Us

Have a question about specialized program accreditation? We’re happy to help.

Dr. Fashaad Crawford
Vice Provost for Assessment and Accreditation
Holladay Hall 205A, Box 7101
919.515.3062
flcrawfo@ncsu.edu