The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and was first accredited in 1921. The HLC is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The HLC accredits, and thereby grants membership, in the Commission.  In the United States, regional accreditors, such as the HLC, evaluate an institution’s effectiveness in fulfilling its educational mission using a set of quality standards, also known as criteria, evaluating and accrediting the institution as a whole.  Along with assessing formal educational activities, the HLC also evaluates such things as governance and administration, student services, student learning, financial stability and institutional resources, institutional integrity, and relationships with internal and external constituencies.  Accreditation, then, is a key indicator of quality assurance, an important benefit to both prospective students and institutional stakeholders.

Loyola's accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission was most recently reaffirmed in June of 2015, following a successful comprehensive evaluation and site visit. The next comprehensive institutional evaluation is scheduled to take place during the academic year 2024-25. In Fall of 2010 Loyola became one of a cohort of 20 institutions invited by the Commission to participate in a demonstration project for a new model of accreditation known as 'Pathways.' More information regarding the Pathways project is available on this site.

Specialized Accreditations

In addition to comprehensive, institutional accreditation, specialized accreditors evaluate particular units, schools, or programs within an institution. Specialized accreditation, also called program accreditation, is often associated with national professional associations, such as those for medicine and law, or with specific disciplines, such as business, teacher education, psychology, or social work.  Individual academic units and programs within the University have also achieved specialized accreditation. 

• The School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), 
• The Medical School is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME, jointly sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Medical Association)
• The School of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• The Quinlan School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance  Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International)
• The School of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP); formerly NCATE
• The School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)  
• The Institute of Pastoral Studies is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS)

A number of Loyola’s degree programs have specialized accreditation recognition, including Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, and school psychology, which are accredited by the American Psychological Association. In the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, the Master of Public Health program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, the Diatetics internship program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, the Medical Laboratory Sciences program in accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences and the Health Systems Management program is accredited by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration. 

Professional Licensure

Some educational programs requirements are designed to lead to a professional licensure that is required for employment in an occupation. State licensing boards and professional requirements may vary by state and can change at any time.  

In accordance with 34 C.F.R. §668.43, and in compliance with the university’s obligations as a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), Loyola University Chicago provides the following disclosures related to degree programs that are intended to lead to professional licensure or certification. 

These disclosures are strictly limited to the University’s determinations of whether these educational programs, if successfully completed, would be sufficient to meet various states’ educational licensure or certification requirements. Loyola University Chicago cannot provide verification of an individual’s ability to meet licensure or certification requirements unrelated to its educational programming. Students pursuing these degrees are strongly encouraged to verify their particular situation with their intended state’s licensing entity. 

Loyola University Chicago Professional Licensure Disclosures