Currently, CHEA recognizes seven Regional Accreditation Agencies across the United States. These agencies each provide accreditation to schools in a specific geographical location. 

These regional agencies provide higher educational institutions with accreditations that certify that their programs meet the high expectations and standards that CHEA requires.

ACCJC

The ACCJC was originally first recognized in January 2003 by the Council for Higher Education. In June 2019, the agency became recognized as a regional accreditation agency and has continued to hold its recognition since. This Regional Agency can accredit online higher educational institutions in the following locations:

• California
• Hawaii
• Territories of Guam and American Samoa
• Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
• Republic of Palau
• Federated States of Micronesia
• Republic of the Marshall Islands.

HLC

The HLC was first recognized and accredited by the Council for Higher Education in 2003. In April 2019, this agency was awarded official recognition as a Regional Accreditation Agency. This agency has a different scope of practice due to its unique nature. These parameters include:

• A degree-granting institution that is registered in the United States.
• A degree-granting institution that operates under federal supervision in the United States and has a substantial presence.
• Institutions that award degrees within federally authorized sovereign nations and that are authorized (licensed) by such a state or federally authorized sovereign nation.

MSCHE

In April 2002, the MSCHE gained its initial recognition from the Council for Higher Education. Since then, the agency has become recognized by CHEA in April 2019. This agency specializes in providing accreditation to degree-granting institutions that offer more than one postsecondary educational program for at least one academic year in length, including an Associate’s degree. It also allows for long distance education. This agency focuses on the following locations:

• Delaware
• Maryland
• District of Columbia
• New Jersey
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Virgin Islands
• Puerto Rico

NECHE

The NECHE was originally recognized by the Council for Higher Education in April 2002. In 2013, it became a regional accreditation agency. This agency provides accreditation to educational facilities that provide bachelor’s degrees or higher and that also provide at least one program in liberal arts. The following locations are covered by this agency:

• International locations
• Connecticut
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• New Hampshire

NWCCU

In 2019 the NWCCU became officially recognized as a regional accreditation agency. This agency specializes in educational institutions that offer programs both on-campus and long-distance. Its broad coverage includes the following locations:

• Alaska
• Montana
• Idaho
• Utah
• Nevada
• Oregon
• Washington
• Some international locations

SACSCOC

This regional accreditation agency was recognized by CHEA in 2014. It specializes in accrediting schools that offer higher education both online and in person on campus. The schools this agency covers will come from the following areas:

• Alabama
• Florida
• Georgia
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia
• Latin America

WSCUC

WSCUC joined CHEA’s list of regional accreditation agencies in 2020, making it one of the newest regional accreditation agencies. This agency is unique, as it focuses on areas within California. 

Regional Accreditation for Online Higher Ed

Before choosing an online higher ed degree, look to see if the institution providing the program has regional accreditation. Many regional agencies provide accreditation to online programs, which will only benefit you in the future.