Institutional Accreditation

Vanderbilt University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor’s, master’s, professional, and doctoral degrees. Vanderbilt University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Vanderbilt University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Please contact SACSCOC only in relation to Vanderbilt’s accreditation. Inquiries about admission requirements, educational programs, and financial aid should be directed to the university.

Reaffirmation of Accreditation

Reaffirmation of accreditation occurs every 10 years, with interim reports due every 5 years. A memorandum confirming Vanderbilt’s reaffirmation of accreditation may be found here.

Vanderbilt’s next reaffirmation of accreditation will take place in 2026-2027. As part of the reaffirmation process, Vanderbilt will submit 1) a Compliance Certification demonstrating compliance with requirements, standards, and federal regulations, and 2) a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) that addresses a focused topic or issue related to enhancing student learning.

Substantive Change Policy

Vanderbilt is responsible for notifying or obtaining approval from SACSCOC before any substantive change in its programs is implemented. A substantive change is any significant modification or expansion of a degree program and includes offering coursework or programs at a more advanced level, significantly changing the content, duration, or delivery method of a program, initiating joint degrees, and offering programs/courses through collaborative agreements. If a department, school or college, is contemplating a substantive change, it should reach out to OAPRAA to determine if the change needs to be reported to SACSCOC in advance.

Please review Vanderbilt’s VU Substantive Change Policy and contact our office for more information on the procedures for implementing a substantive change.

Student Achievement

Vanderbilt University uses many metrics of student achievement to evaluate the success of its educational programs. In SACSCOC’s Policy on Institutional Obligations for Public Disclosure, student achievement information may include “reliable information in retention, graduation, course completion, licensure examinations, and job placement rates and other measures of student success appropriate to institutional mission.” Vanderbilt’s student achievement information may be found here.

Programmatic Accrediting Agencies and Other Organizational Affiliations

Many Vanderbilt University programs are also accredited by a number of programmatic accrediting agencies. A list of these agencies, as well as additional agency affiliations, may be found here.

Institutional, Financial Aid and State Authorization Information

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) has determined that Vanderbilt University is exempt from Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 20 of the Tennessee Code Annotated and Chapter 1540-01-02 of the Rules of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.

The information in accordance with the disclosure requirements for institutions participating in federal financial aid programs under Title IV may be found here.

Vanderbilt University is an institutional member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), a voluntary method to oversee distance education. Through NC-SARA membership, Vanderbilt may offer distance education courses in programs in states who are also NC-SARA members without further approval from those states’ higher education agency. Additional information about state authorization of out-of-state activities and distance education complaint and grievances procedures may be found here.