About ACICS

The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) is a not for profit organization incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia with offices maintained in the District of Columbia.  It is an national accreditor of institutions and is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

The scope of ACICS recognition by the Secretary of Education is defined as accreditation of private postsecondary institutions offering certificates or diplomas, and postsecondary institutions offering associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees in programs designed to educate students for professional, technical, or occupational careers, including those that offer those programs via distance education.

ACICS accredits more than 680 institutions throughout the United States and more than a dozen foreign countries enrolling approximately 650,000 students. ACICS dates back to 1912 and has been recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education since 1956 (just four years after the recognition process was introduced). The Secretary's recognition confirms that ACICS is a "reliable authority concerning the quality of post secondary education or training offered by educational institution" which it accredits.