I. Regional Accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) Independent | Non-profit | Membership-driven
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 2018 Year Seven Mission Fulfillment and Sustainability evaluation. The University’s next comprehensive evaluation is scheduled for Spring 2025. NWCCU accreditation does not expire but is reaffirmed in a regular cycle of evaluation. (link to most recent letter of verification)
II. Special Discipline Accreditation
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education via American Association of Colleges of Nursing
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
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
The American Bar Association
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/
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
