I. Institutional Accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
NWCCU is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the authority on the educational quality and institutional effectiveness of higher education institutions in the Northwest region of the United States, including the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, as well as British Columbia, Canada.
https://www.nwccu.org/
The NWCCU verifies that University of Providence, located in Great Falls, Montana, has been accredited continuously by NWCCU since receiving initial accreditation in 1935. NWCCU accredits University of Providence at the associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degree levels. The Commission most recently reaffirmed the accreditation of University of Providence on the basis of a Spring 2025 Year Seven Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness. The University’s next comprehensive evaluation is scheduled for Spring 2032. NWCCU accreditation does not expire but is reaffirmed in a regular cycle of evaluation.
Accreditation Updates and Disclosure
August 2026
University of Providence Remains Accredited; NWCCU Issues Probation Sanction
The University of Providence is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
On August 5, 2026, the University received formal notification that NWCCU had accepted the University’s Spring 2026 Financial Resources Review (FRR) and issued a sanction of Probation.
What is Probation?
Probation is a formal sanction indicating that the institution has deviated significantly from the Commission’s standards, policies, or eligibility requirements. The sanction of probation means that accreditation is in jeopardy if the University fails to meet the requirements of probation and continues to demonstrate non-compliance with the issued recommendation.
Recommendation 1 — Spring 2023 Ad Hoc Report with Visit
Demonstrate financial stability with sufficient cash flows based on realistic budgeting and enrollment management (NWCCU 2020 Standards 2.E.1 and 2.E.2)
The requirements of probation, as outlined by NWCCU, include public disclosure of the sanction, a submission of another FRR in Spring 2027, and the development of teach-out plans.
What is a teach-out plan?
A teach-out plan is a contingency plan designed to protect students should such arrangements become necessary. NWCCU is requiring the University to submit a teach-out plan within 60 days of the formal notification. The plan must identify currently enrolled students, academic programs, and other institutions offering similar programs that could potentially enter into teach-out agreements.
Is the University of Providence still accredited?
Yes. The University of Providence remains accredited and continues its academic and student-support operations. NWCCU has placed the University on probation because of significant financial concerns. The University is working to address the Commission’s probation requirements and remains committed to students’ educational progress.
Additional Information
View the August 5, 2026 NWCCU Commission Action Letter here.
We will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available.
From the Office of Institutional Effectiveness
University of Providence
margaret.mahoney@uprovidence.edu | 406.791.5358
II. Discipline Accreditation, Approval & Membership
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) via American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is an autonomous accrediting agency, contributing to the improvement of the public’s health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs in nursing.
CCNE serves the public interest by assessing and identifying programs that engage in effective educational practices. As a voluntary, self-regulatory process, CCNE accreditation supports and encourages continuing self-assessment by nursing programs and supports continuing growth and improvement of collegiate professional education and nurse residency programs. https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE
“The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and master’s degree program in nursing at the University of Providence are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791”.
Montana Board of Nursing via the Business Standards Division of the Montana Department of Labor & Industry
Effective Oct 1, 2015, Montana joined the NLC (Nurse Licensure Compact) allowing all MT unencumbered licensees with a primary residence of MT to be eligible for a multi-state license. MT licensees with a primary state of residence in a non-compact state will continue to hold a single state MT license. MT licensees with a primary state of residence in a compact state, can use their compact license to practice in MT. To see the status of a licensee, go to NURSYS look-up system: https://www.nursys.com (Quick Confirm). For more information about the NLC go to https://www.ncsbn.org/compacts.htm. The NLC was enhanced effective 1/19/2018. https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/nur
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
CACREP accredits master’s and doctoral degree programs in counseling and its specialties that are offered by colleges and universities in the United States and throughout the world.
The vision of CACREP is to provide leadership and to promote excellence in professional preparation through the accreditation of counseling and related education programs. As an accrediting body, CACREP is committed to the development of standards and procedures that reflect the needs of a dynamic, diverse, and complex society. CACREP is dedicated to:
- Encouraging and promoting the continuing development and improvement of preparation programs; and
- Preparing counseling and related professionals to provide services consistent with the ideal of optimal human development.
CACREP maintains collaborative relationships with other groups that focus on accreditation, licensing, certification, and the professional development of counselors and related practitioners. https://www.cacrep.org/about-cacrep/
Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI)
Through the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM, Rule 10, Chapter 58), the Montana Board of Public Education (BPE) sets policy for the approval process of Montana professional education units and all endorsement programs offered by each educational institution through site review and subsequent focused reviews of the professional education unit as outlined in the current Professional Educator Preparation Program Standards and Procedures Manual. The OPI also recommends teacher education candidates for licensure to the Office of Public Instruction. https://opi.mt.gov/Portals/182/Page%20Files/Educator%20Preparation/ARM%2010.58/58chapter-amd.pdf
The American Bar Association (ABA)
The principal objective of the American Bar Association’s program of approving paralegal education programs that meet ABA Guidelines, is to foster high-quality paralegal education and training and the development of educational standards. The Standing Committee on Paralegals and Approval Commission carry out this objective through an intensive review and on-site evaluation of such programs. The guidance and direction of the ABA through the Standing Committee and its Approval Commission has led to the development of superior paralegal education programs designed to raise the competence of those individuals who assist lawyers in the delivery of legal services.
The approval process is accomplished through extensive investigation of self-evaluation reports prepared by the paralegal programs as well as through on-site evaluations of program operations to verify that they operate in compliance with ABA Guidelines. Programs that successfully complete the evaluation process are approved for a period of seven years. https://www.americanbar.org/groups/paralegals/approval-resources/general_approval_process_information/
International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
The Department of Professional Studies is an Educational Member of the
International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located
at located at 11960 Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas, USA.
Educational members have not yet undergone accreditation reviews and
do not have business programs that are accredited by the IACBE. Please
view our member status page.
III. State Authorization, Professional Licensure and Certification Disclosures & Student Complaint Process
State Authorization
State authorization refers to federal, state and professional licensing board regulations that impact educational activities offered across state lines and programs that lead to professional licensure or certification. Compliance with these regulations ensures that a degree or credential from the University of Providence will be recognized.
Professional Licensure and Certification Disclosures
The curriculum for programs customarily leading to licensure at the University of Providence has been designed to meet licensure/certification requirements as well as preparing students to apply for licensure exams.
The following table outlines the University of Providence programs that meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in each state. In addition, states are listed in which licensure/certification requirements have not been determined.
| University of Providence Licensure Program | Completion of this program meets educational requirements to apply for a license in these states: | The University of Providence has not determined whether completion of this program meets educational requirements to apply for a license in these states: |
| Medical Assistant | Montana, Washington, Oregon, California | Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| Clinical Mental Health Counseling | * Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited. Graduates are eligible for licensure in all 50 states upon passing the national certification exam and then applying for state licensure. | |
| Pharmacy Technician | Montana, Washington. | Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| Addictions Counseling | Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Texas, and Washington | Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| Accelerated BSN | * Curriculum prepares students to take National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Students apply for licensure either in their state of residence or a nursing compact license. | |
| On-Campus (prelicensure) BSN | * Curriculum prepares students to take National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Students apply for licensure either in their state of residence or a nursing compact license. | |
| RN-BSN | * Students enter BSN program with RN license in state of resident. | |
| MSN Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner | * Graduates must register for certification in state residence. | |
| Elementary Education | Montana | Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| Health and Physical Education | Montana | Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
The licensure boards in each state are responsible for establishing the requirements for licensure/certification for their state. Completion of a University of Providence program may not meet education requirements for a license or certification in another state.
Students who intend to return or move to another state need to review the professional licensure disclosures pertaining to their program and consult with the state professional licensing board. The state professional licensing boards make the ultimate decision as to whether an individual will be eligible to sit for licensure based on the rules and regulations in place at the time the individual submits their application for licensure.
If your program leads to a professional license or certification, authorization may be required from the state professional licensing board prior to beginning a clinical or field experience in that state. Check with your program’s internship or clinical coordinator with questions about state professional licensing board requirements prior to beginning an internship or field experience in another state.
The University of Providence makes every effort to ensure information about educational requirements for licensure or certification information is current; however, state requirements may change. Separate from educational requirements, state licensure boards may require applicants to complete professional examinations, background checks, years of professional experience, jurisprudence exams, etc. If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements before beginning an academic program.
Student Complaint Process
Every student deserves a high quality online educational experience. When these expectations are not realized, students have avenues through which they can register a concern and seek an acceptable resolution. If the student concern arises out of their experience with UP, then the student should first avail themselves of the UP Student Concern process. Grade appeals and student conduct appeals should be addressed through the UP campus processes. These processes are designed to ensure that all student concerns and complaints are addressed fairly and promptly.
