UNIVERSITY ACCREDITATION

Ottawa University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary education institutions in the North Central region, which includes 19 states including Kansas. The federal government has a distinct interest in the role of accreditation in assuring quality in higher education for the students who benefit from federal financial aid program. By being recognized by the US Department of Education as a gatekeeper agency, the Commission agrees to fulfill specific federally defined responsibilities within the accreditation processes, as described by HLC.

Ottawa University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission

What is HLC accreditation?

Colleges and universities in the United States voluntarily seek accreditation to ensure they meet or exceed defined quality standards. There are two types of accreditation: institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditation is granted by one of six regional accrediting bodies which use peer reviewers to evaluate the entire institution. It is necessary in order for students at an institution to be eligible for federal financial aid. Specific programs within an institution may be accredited by specialized accrediting bodies that evaluate programs against discipline standards.

What are the criteria for accreditation?

The criteria for accreditation are the quality standards established by the Higher Learning Commission. The five criteria are:

Mission
Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support
Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement
Resources, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness

What does institutional accreditation mean to Ottawa University?

Accreditation means:

assurance that Ottawa University is true to its mission;
assurance to the public that Ottawa University’s programs and services meet quality standards;
assurance that Ottawa University’s programs prepare students for the future in a multicultural and global society;
assurance that Ottawa University’s planning and resources are sufficient to achieve its purposes;
assurance that all activities are conducted with integrity
assurance that what is said to the public is what Ottawa University can and will deliver;
and, accreditation today means that our students are able to enjoy the benefits of higher education in a democratic society with the support of federal financial aid, both grants and loans.

What is the status of HLC accreditation?

At its meeting on June 30, 2014, the Institutional Actions Council (IAC) of the Higher Learning Commission continued Ottawa University's accreditation status. Ottawa University has been continually accredited since 1914.

Accreditations Granted to Ottawa University and Specific Programs

Ottawa University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission

The baccalaureate and master's degree Nursing program at Ottawa University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Baccalaureate/Graduate Degree Board of Commissioners has awarded Ottawa University, accreditation of selected business programs.

The School of Education programs with licensure and certification pathways are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

The National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC) has awarded Ottawa University, accreditation of its Addiction Counseling programs.

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has awarded Ottawa University, provisional accreditation of its Physician Assistant program.

The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Ottawa University Physician Assistance Program sponsored by Ottawa University. Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-ottawa-university/

Certifications and Licenses Awarded to Ottawa University:

The Arizona Teacher Education Programs are Arizona State Department of Education (AZDE) approved.
The Ottawa, Kansas and Kansas City Teacher Education programs are Kansas State Board of Education (KSDE) approved.
The Arizona State Board for Private Post Secondary Education licenses Ottawa University to operate.
The Educational Approval Program of the State of Wisconsin accredits Ottawa University to do business.
The Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education certifies Ottawa University to operate.
The Maryland Higher Education Commission has approved Ottawa University to provide distance/online education in Maryland.
The Master of Arts in Counseling is approved by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners and the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.

Associations and Organizations Affiliated with Ottawa University

Affiliated with the American Baptist Churches in the USA
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
American Baptist Association of Colleges and Universities
Arizona Education Association
Arizona Education Consortium
Better Business Bureau serving Central/Northern Arizona
Better Business Bureau serving Southern Indiana, Louisville and Western Kentucky
Better Business Bureau serving Wisconsin
California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators
Council for Advancement and Support of Education
Council of Independent Colleges
Independent Colleges and Universities of Arizona
Kansas Association of Colleges of Teacher Education
Kansas Association of Private Colleges of Teacher Education
Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC)
Kansas Independent College Fund
Kansas Independent College Association
National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
Society for Human Resource Management
Southeastern Wisconsin Education Consortium
The Association of Governing Boards

Designations Awarded to Ottawa University

GOLD Military Friendly School rating for 2021-22

Colleges of Distinction 2021-22

Colleges of Distinction hand-picks a selection of top schools each year that are well equipped to provide a personalized education catered to students’ interests. Through a rigorous vetting and interview process each academic year, they refresh and reaffirm that these institutions strive for excellence in line with the four overarching distinctions—Student Engagement, Teaching, Community, and Outcomes.

Ottawa University is proud of its 2021-22 “Colleges of Distinction” designation in both Kansas and Arizona.

Ottawa University
(campus in Ottawa, Kansas)

Ottawa University-Arizona
(campus in Surprise, Arizona)

University Accreditation