Bellevue University Accreditation Reaffirmed by the Higher Learning Commission

Key Facts

• The Higher Learning Commission reaffirmed accreditation through 2034.
• The Institutional Actions Council approved the decision on January 10, 2025.
• The review included an on-site visit in October 2024.
• The evaluation assessed academic quality, policies, faculty qualifications, and finances.
• Bellevue University met all accreditation criteria and federal compliance requirements.
• The university has held accreditation since 1977.

Accreditation Reaffirmation

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has reaffirmed Bellevue University’s accreditation for the next 10 years, until 2034.

The reaffirmation, granted by the Institutional Actions Council of the HLC on Jan. 10, 2025, followed a review process and an on-site visit by an HLC peer review team in October 2024. The review team examined multiple aspects of the institution, including academic quality, strategic planning, institutional policies and procedures, faculty qualifications and financial operations.

Review Findings

Based on its evaluation, the review team found that Bellevue University met all accreditation criteria and the components of the Federal Compliance Review, and it also identified several strengths. Among these were comments about the clarity of Bellevue’s mission; engagement around the University’s strategic plan; and messages from faculty, staff, students and board members about the institution’s collaborative culture.

The HLC review also noted that “every level of the organization demonstrates that they are aware of the changing landscape of higher education. Bellevue has demonstrated a continuous improvement perspective that will facilitate their endeavors to achieve their mission.”

Institutional Commitment

According to President Hawkins, the HLC review process was a shared effort involving individuals across the Bellevue University community, including staff, faculty, board members and students. “Reaffirmation of our institutional accreditation is a testament to our University culture and our commitment to preparing people for the work the world needs done.”

Bellevue University has been fully accredited since 1977; first by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (NCA) and then by the HLC. The HLC (which grew out of the higher education division of the NCA) is one of the country’s institutional accrediting agencies recognized by the Department of Education.

Program Accreditations

In addition to its institutional accreditation, a number of Bellevue University academic programs hold programmatic accreditations, including:

• Master of Science in Clinical Mental Counseling, Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited
• Bachelor of Science in Project Management, Global Accreditation Center (GAC) accredited
• Master of Project Management, Global Accreditation Center (GAC) accredited
• Master of Science in Management of Information Systems, Information Technology Project Management Concentration, Global Accreditation Center (GAC) accredited
• Master of Business Administration, International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) accreditation
• Bachelor of Science in Accounting, International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) accreditation
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) accreditation