University and Specialty Accreditation

Wichita State University has held regional accreditation since 1927 from the Higher Learning Commission. The university will undergo its next comprehensive evaluation during the 2026-2027 academic year. Additionally, several WSU programs hold specialty accreditation. The accreditation status of those programs can be found in the Specialty Accreditation Report at the bottom of this page  reported by the specialty accrediting agencies. In some cases regional and specialty accreditation status is required by some programs for its graduates to sit for certification examinations and/or to obtain a license and/or a registration. Regional accreditation by The Higher Learning Commission does not constitute specialty accreditation for individual programs.

 


Specialty Accreditation Process and Timeline

The following details the process for Specialty Accreditation at Wichita State University.  All accredited programs should adhere to the timeline as written. Modification can and will be made with approval.

  • → Meet with Vice Provost in Academic Affairs 6 months prior to the Self-Study Deadline
  • Establish a timeline for submission
  • → Begin Self-Study
  •  
  • → Two Weeks Prior to  Submission
  • Forward Draft Self-Study to Vice Provost in Academic Affairs for Review
  • → Submit Self-Study
  •  
  • → Notify Vice Provost in Academic Affairs of Site Visit Dates
  • Six Months Prior to Site Visit (sooner if possible) 
  • → Provide Vice Provost in Academic Affairs Draft Schedule for Site Visit
  • One Month Prior to Site Visit
  • → Site Visit
  •  
  • → Provide Vice Provost in Academic Affairs copy of Site Visit Report upon receipt
 
 
* Any adverse responses (i.e. probation, withdrawal, etc.) to programs seeking affirmation or re-affirmation of specialty accreditation will be reported by the specialty accrediting agency to the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and may impact Wichita State University's accreditation with HLC. 
 
 

Specialty Accreditation Report for Wichita State University Programs
 
College or School Program UG/GR Accrediting Agency Status Effective Year Accreditation Period Next Review Year Notes*
Wichita State University Institutional UG/GR Higher Learning Commission Accredited 2016 10 years 2026/27 1
Wichita State University Additional Location NA Higher Learning Commission Accredited 2019/22 N/A 2026/27 2
Barton School of Business Accountancy UG/GR AACSB International: The Associate to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business Accredited 2023 5 years 2028 3
Barton School of Business Business UG/GR AACSB International: The Associate to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business Accredited 2023 5 years 2028 3
Education* Counseling - Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling GR CACREP: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and RelatedEducaitonall Programs Accredited 2021 8 years 2029 8
Education* Teacher Education UG/GR CAEP: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation  Accredited 2024 7 years 2031 6
Education* Teacher Education UG/GR Kansas State Board of Education Accredited 2024 5 years 2029 7
Education* Athletic Training UG/GR CAATE: Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education Accredited 2023 10 years 2033 9
Education* School Psychology GR NASP: National Association of School Psychologists Accredited 2022 5 years 2027 10
Education* Sport Management UG/GR COSMA: Commission on Sport Management Accreditation Accredited 2020 7 years 2027 11
Engineering Aerospace Engineering UG ABET, Inc. Accredited 2021 6 years 2027 4
Engineering Applied Engineering UG ABET, Inc. Accredited 2023 4 years 2027 4
Engineering Biomedical Engineering UG ABET, Inc. Accredited 2021 6 years 2027 4
Engineering Computer Science UG ABET, Inc. Computing Accreditation Commission Accredited 2021 6 years 2027 4
Engineering Computer Engineering  UG ABET, Inc. Computing Accreditation Commission Accredited 2021 6 years 2027 4
Engineering Electrical Engineering UG ABET, Inc. Accredited 2021 6 years 2027 4
Engineering Engineering Technology UG ABET, Inc.  Accredited 2021 6 years 2027 4
Engineering Industrial Engineering UG ABET, Inc. Accredited 2021 6 years 2027 4
Engineering Mechanical Engineering UG ABET, Inc.  Accredited 2021 6 years 2027 4
Engineering

Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering

UG ABET, Inc.  Accredited 2021 6 years 2027 4
Fine Arts

School of Music

UG/GR National Association of Schools of Music Accredited 2015 10 years 2025 5
Fine Arts

Dance

UG National Association of Schools of Dance Accredited 2018 7 years 2025 5
Fine Arts

Art, Design, and  Creative Industries

UG/GR National Association of Schools of Art and Design Associate Membership 2019 10 years 2025 5
Health Professions

Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders (MA-CSD; Speech-Language Pathology)

GR Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Accredited 2025 8 years 2033 12
Health Professions

Doctor of Audiology (AuD)- (Clinical Doctorate)

GR Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Accredited 2025 8 years 2033 12
Health Professions

Dental Hygiene

UG CODA: Commission on Dental Accreditation Accredited 2021 7 years 2028 13
Health Professions

Advanced Education in General Dentistry

Residency

Commission on Dental Accreditation 

American Dental Association

Accredited 2026 6 years 2032 14
Health Professions

Medical Laboratory Sciences

UG National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences Accredited 2021 10 years 2031 15
Health Professions

Nursing

UG/GR Kansas State Board of Nursing Accredited 2023 10 years 2033 16
Health Professions

Nursing

UG/GR Commission Collegiate Nursing Education Accredited 2023 10 years 2033 17
Health Professions

Nursing (Doctor of Nursing Practice)

GR Commission Collegiate Nursing Education Accredited 2023 10 years 2033 17
Health Professions

Physical Therapy

GR Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education Accredited 2023 10 years 2032 18
Health Professions

Physician Associate

GR Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant Accreditation - Probation 2022 6 years 2028 19
Health Professions

Health Management, BS Degree

UG Association of University Programs in Health Administration AUPHAA)  Full Certified UG Program 2024 3 years 2027/28 25
Liberal Arts and Sciences

Chemistry

UG American Chemistry Society  Accredited 2021 6 years 2027 20
Liberal Arts and Sciences

Psychology (Human Factors)

GR Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Accredited 2025 6 years 2031 21
Liberal Arts and Sciences

Public Administration

GR Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration Accredited 2023 7 years 2030 22
Liberal Arts and Sciences

Clinical Psychology

GR American Psychological Association Accredited 2022 7 years In Review 23
Liberal Arts and Sciences

Social Work

UG/GR Council on Social Work Education Accredited 2021 8 years 2029 24
UlrichMuseiumm of Art

University Museum

NA American Alliance of Museums Accredited and Member 2014 10 years In Review 26

* Formerly Applied Studies

Notes: 

  1. HLC Accreditation continuation confirmed January 30, 2017. Reaffirmation Review Report findings: all criteria met; no interim monitoring recommended.  Assurance Argument 4-year update submitted June 14, 2021. Assurance Argument affirmation of confirmation without comment June 27, 2021. Next visit 2026-2027 AY.
  2. Additional Location Confirmation Report received on March 6, 2019, providing affirmation of WSU Old Town and WSU South as additional locations for service delivery. Confirmation of approval of Kansas State University as additional location for nursing program March 16, 2022.
  3. AACSB affirmed accreditation for Business and School of Accountancy in June 2023. Accreditation covers Accountancy, Business Administration, Business Analytics, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Human Resource Management, International Business, Management, and Marketing, at Graduate and Undergraduate levels.
  4. ABET, Inc. policy prohibits public disclosure of the period for which a program is accredited, though institutions may publish the year of the last and next review. Site visit held November 15 – 17, 2020. Accreditation affirmed until Sept. 30, 2027 for Aerospace Engineering (B.S. in Aerospace Engineering), Applied Engineering (B.S. in Applied Engineering), Biomedical Engineering (B.S. in Biomedical Engineering), Computer Engineering (B.S. in Computer Engineering), Computer Science (Bachelor of Science), Electrical Engineering (B.S. in Electrical Engineering), Engineering Technology (B.S. in Engineering Technology), Industrial Engineering (B.S. in Industrial Engineering), and Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering (Bachelor of Science). Next self-study due July 1, 2026. Mechanical Engineering required to initiate a reaccreditation report evaluation in response to concerns by July 1, 2022. ABET conducted evaluation for Mechanical engineering and issued accreditation until Sept. 30, 2027. Next self-study due July 1, 2026. 
  5. National Association Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) Commission voted to approve accreditation for Bachelor of Arts in Dance until 2025.  National Association Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) Commission voted to accept response and grant plan approval and final approval for listing Bachelor of Applied Arts – 4 years: Media Arts (Collaborative Design) with request for progress report by September 1, 2023.  National Association for Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) – Commission voted October 2024 to accept progress report. This closed the comprehensive evaluation process. Next comprehensive review is scheduled to be  conducted during 2024-25 academic year.  Accredited programs: Bachelor of Arts-4 years: Art (Art); Bachelor of Applied Arts-4 years: Media Arts (Animation, Collaborative Design, Filmmaking, Game Design); Bachelor of Fine Arts-4 years: Art (Art Education, Ceramics, Painting, Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture); Graphic Design; Master of Fine Arts-3 years: Art (Ceramics, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture); Bachelor of Arts-4 years: Art (Art History); Bachelor of Fine Arts-4 years: Studio Art (Community and Social Practices, Electronic Media, Photo Media); and Master of Fine Arts-3 years: Art (Photo Media)National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) December 19, 2025 commission action report voted to approve the School of Music's request to continue the current membership status of the institution. The institution will develop response to concerns articulated in the visitor's report by October 1, 2026, for consideration at the November 2026 meeting. IN addition, this commission action report noted that the plan for the Bachelor of Applied Arts in Media Arts (Audio Production) is approved with update on degree provided in October 2026 annual progress report. Commission also voted to grant final approval for listing of Professional Studies Certificate in Music Performance (Graduate) and Kodify Method Certificate (Graduate).   
  6. CAEP initial accreditation and CAEP advanced-level accreditation, until Fall 2031. Next Site Visit for initial & advanced, Spring 2031. Accreditation covers initial licensure programs (ECU, MAT-ECU, T2T, Elementary Education, middle level and Secondary Education), Education-PreK-12 Programs (Physical Education, Music Education, Art Education, World Languages), and Advanced programs that result in additional license (Building Leadership, District Leadership, ESOL, Reading Specialist, School counseling, School Psychology, Special Education (ECU, Low Incidence, High Incidence, High Incidence-Alt Cert.). All standards met.
  7. Kansas State Board of Education, affirmed accreditation for initial teacher preparation and advanced level programs through December 31, 2029. Next level of program reviews occurs in Fall 2027-Summer 2028.
  8. The Board of Directors for the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) affirmed accreditation on July 30, 2021. Site visit held March 22-24, 2021. Site Review letter received April 8, 2021.
  9. Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) voted to grant 10 years of continuing accreditation to the Professional Athletics Training Program through 2032-2033. Next self-study due July 1, 2032. CAATE Substantive change filed, Fall 2022. CAATE approved degree change, July 12, 2023. Self-study due July 1, 2032. Annual report due annually, October 1st.
  10. National Association of School Psychologist (NASP) Successfully obtained accreditation until 2027.
  11. COSMA affirmed accreditation for Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management and Master of Education in Sport Management on February 11, 2020. Accreditation with Observations was awarded for seven years, until 2028 based on extension Reaffirmation of Accreditation received 2.25.2026. Self-study due September 2027, site visit in Fall 2027, and review by Board of Commissioners in February 2028.
  12. Council on Academic Accreditation Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) affirmed accreditation on July 16-19, 2025 for Doctorate in Audiology (AuD) and Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders (MA-CSD; Speech-Language Pathology). Next review for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology is May 31, 2033. Only accredits the clinical graduate programs. Master’s in Audiology (MS) not accredited.
  13. Commission on Dental Accreditation granted Dental Hygiene accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements” August 10, 2023. The next site visit for the program is scheduled for 2028. Submitted major program change April 2023 and CODA granted dental hygiene program the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements” for these changes.
  14. Commission on Dental Accreditation granted Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements” on Feburary 5, 2026. The next site visit for the program is scheduled for 2032.
  15. National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences for Medical Lab Sciences. Summary of Action received May 24, 2021. Recommended continuing accreditation for 10 years, until April 30, 2031. Self Study report submission, April 1, 2030, site visit fall 2030, and Year 5 Interim Report due April 1, 2025.
  16. Kansas State Board of Nursing granted nursing accreditation on December 13, 2022. Accreditation is for 10 years.
  17. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in May 2023 granted accreditation to the baccalaureate degree program in nursing and master’s degree program in nursing for 10 years, extending to June 30, 2033. Accreditation action was effective October 12, 2022. Next site visit Fall 2032. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in May 2023 granted accreditation to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program for 10 years, extending to June 30, 2033. Accreditation action was effective October 12, 2022. Next site visit Fall 2032.
  18. Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education reaffirmed accreditation effective April 25, 2023. The Commission's decision to reaffirm accreditation status [for a period of ten years] is based on the program's compliance with all of the Standards and Required Elements. Next Self-study Report and On-site Review in Spring 2032; Application for Substantive Change submitted to increase class size; Approved October 2023 and will be implemented June 2024 with full capacity of total enrollment 60 students in full implementation. Oct. 2024 continue accreditation with compliance report due Feb 1, 2025, and August 1, 2025 to address compliance with 4A, 6E, and 8C.
  19. Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant ARC-PA extended Accreditation –Probationary status on March 24, 2021. A response to the review was due no later than June 16, 2021. The Response was reviewed at the September meeting. A focused site visit hosted March 2021. ARC-PA did not accept report and requested a follow up report by June 16, 2021. Probation extended. Probation removed and full accreditation affirmed March 22, 2022. March 10, 2023, Name change approved - Change Name of the Department of Physician Assistant to the Department of Physician Associate; Change Name of Master of Physician Assistant, with the major of Physician Assistant, to Master of Physician Associate, with the major of Physician Associate – name change effective July 28, 2023.
  20. American Chemical Society affirmed that the program meets all ACS approval requirements and affirmed accreditation until June 30, 2027.
  21. Human Factors and Ergonomics Commission issued Summary of Action July 31,2025. Accreditation is continued for Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology offers three programs of study: human factors psychology until July 2031. Program will prepare for renewal of accreditation during the last year of this period.
  22. Network of Schools of Public Policy, affairs, and Administration NASPAAA) Accreditation for Master of Public Administration program reviewed in 2022-23 and accredited through August 3, 2030. Annual accreditation maintenance report due November 1, 2023.
  23. American Psychological Association affirmed accreditation on May 6, 2019 for Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in clinical psychology. Next self-study due January 1, 2023 with planned site visit January-June 2024.
  24. Council on Social Work Education CSWEE) reaffirmed accreditation on August 10, 2021 with progress report requirement Accredited 8 years, June 2029.
  25. Association of University Programs in Health Administration AUPHAA) approved Wichita State’s Health Management program as a fully certified undergraduate program member ofAUPHAA. This is an initial certification and program will be due for re-certification in 2027-2028.
  26. American Alliance of Museums offers high profile, peer-based validation of your museum’s operations and impact. The accreditation process is centered on self-study and peer review and takes 8-16 months to complete, and should be done every 10 years. Site visit: August 12 and 13, 2024; waiting on Accreditation Commission review: October 2024 and Commission Decision Letter issued.