HLC Accreditation
Southwest Baptist University is fully accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411
(312) 263-0456
https://www.hlcommission.org/
Accredited (Probation) Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. SBU is still fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. SBU’s status
has changed from Accredited to Accredited (Probation).
No. SBU is still fully accredited. Accredited (Probation) status does not affect students’
grades, degrees, or eligibility for any state or federal programs. This action is
based on governance issues and is not a reflection on the quality of SBU’s academic
programs, faculty, or staff.
All degrees awarded by SBU prior to and during this status change timeframe always
will carry the authority of being granted by an accredited university.
Among 18 Core Components, the Higher Learning Commission found SBU out of compliance
in three. SBU and its Board of Trustees have already taken substantive steps to address
these concerns, and HLC’s communications with us have noted the progress SBU has made.
The Higher Learning Commission determined that SBU was not in compliance with three
out of 18 Core Components regarding governance matters. HLC findings acknowledge the
efforts SBU has made toward addressing the deficiencies, but more time is needed to
sustain a pattern of evidence toward full compliance. This next season will allow
HLC an opportunity to observe our continued commitment to addressing the deficient
Core Components.
SBU’s President, Board of Trustees, and faculty leadership have already taken several
steps to address these matters, and we will continue working closely with the Higher
Learning Commission during this period to make certain that we have addressed the
areas of concern. We will also keep the SBU community informed of our progress.
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 educational institutions in the United States.
SBU is committed to continuing a relationship with HLC.
In addition to providing assurance that a university is fulfilling its mission and
providing a quality education, Higher Learning Commission accreditation is necessary
for the institution to receive federal funding, including student financial aid.
SBU has held HLC accreditation continuously since 1957. Our most recent reaffirmation
of accreditation took place in January of 2020 and all criteria were met with no concerns.
The period of Accredited (Probation) is not more than two years. SBU will submit an
Assurance Filing to HLC and will undergo a Comprehensive Evaluation by HLC in 2023.
Please let us know. Reach out to Levi Fox, SBU’s accreditation liaison officer with
the Higher Learning Commission, at (417) 328-2072 or
lfox@SBUniv.edu.
Additional Program Accreditations
Specific programs at Southwest Baptist University are accredited by:
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
11520 West 119th Street
Overland Park, KS 66213
(913) 339-9356
www.acbsp.org
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
(Computer science and cybersecurity programs only)
415 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 347-7700
www.abet.org
Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Jefferson State Office Building
205 Jefferson Street
P.O. Box 480
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480
(573) 751-4212
dese.mo.gov
National Association of Schools of Music
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston, VA 20190
(703) 437-0700
nasm.arts-accredit.org
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3343 Peachtree Road NE Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
www.acenursing.org
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 706-3245
capteonline.org
Council on Social Work Education
1701 Duke Street, Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 683-8080
www.cswe.org
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
(312) 704-5300
www.jrcert.org
The ASN and PLBSN degrees have full approval status granted by:
Missouri State Board of Nursing
3605 Missouri Boulevard
P.O. Box 656
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0656
(573) 751-0618
Affiliations
Southwest Baptist University is a member of:
- Consortium of Global Education
- Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU)
- International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities
- Missouri Baptist Convention
- National Association of College and University Business Officers
- National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements
