Accreditation
ÏãÃÛÓ°ÊÓ is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees. ÏãÃÛÓ°ÊÓ also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of ÏãÃÛÓ°ÊÓ 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 ().
On June 26, 2026, SACSCOC continued the institution’s accreditation and placed the institution on Probation for Good Cause for 12 months for not meeting the criteria in Standard 13.3 (financial responsibility) of their Principles of Accreditation. For more information, please read the .
Frequently Asked Questions
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is the institutional accrediting body for degree-granting higher education institutions. Accreditation is a voluntary, peer-reviewed process through which an institution demonstrates that it meets established standards of quality across its operations, finances, faculty, programs, and governance. SACSCOC accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and is required for students to access federal financial aid.
Accreditation involves ongoing review, not just a one-time evaluation. Institutions undergo comprehensive reaffirmation every 10 years and an interim report mid-cycle.
Probation for Good Cause is a formal sanction that SACSCOC may impose when an institution has not yet demonstrated full compliance with one or more standards, but has provided evidence which made it reasonable for the Board to assume it would remedy all deficiencies within a 12-month period. It is distinct from standard Probation status.
SACSCOC’s policy allows Probation for Good Cause only when an institution has: (1) demonstrated significant recent accomplishments in addressing non-compliance; (2) provided evidence which made it reasonable for the Board to assume it would remedy all deficiencies within a 12-month period; and (3) the institution provided assurance to the Board that it was not aware of any other reasons, other than those identified by the Board, why the institution could not be continued for Good Cause.
Mary Baldwin met all three criteria. Our accreditation has not been removed and remains in continuous effect.
No. ÏãÃÛÓ°ÊÓ remains accredited by SACSCOC. Probation for Good Cause is a monitoring status — not a loss of accreditation. All degrees conferred by ÏãÃÛÓ°ÊÓ remain valid and recognized, and students retain access to federal financial aid.
The SACSCOC Board’s finding relates to Standard 13.3 (Financial responsibility), which requires institutions to manage its financial resources and operate in a fiscally responsible manner. Mary Baldwin has been working to address financial challenges, and SACSCOC’s Disclosure Statement acknowledges that the University has “demonstrated significant recent accomplishments in addressing non-compliance.” We are committed to completing that work within the 12-month period.
During FY2026, Mary Baldwin implemented stronger controls on expenditures, reorganized operations, strengthened fundraising, and invested in new revenue-generating programs. In FY2027, we are focused on identifying and growing revenue streams while maintaining disciplined financial planning and investment.
The university will submit a Monitoring Report to SACSCOC in spring 2027, and a Special Committee will conduct a site visit to evaluate our progress. The Board will review our status in June 2027, at which point options include removing the university from Probation for Good Cause, continuing the monitoring period (if Good Cause provisions still apply), or removing accreditation. We are working with full determination to achieve the first outcome.
Nothing about your degree or enrollment status is affected by this action. Mary Baldwin remains accredited, and all programs continue to operate normally. Students receiving federal financial aid are not impacted. If you have specific questions about your program or financial aid, please email accreditation@marybaldwin.edu.
Questions about the accreditation of ÏãÃÛÓ°ÊÓ may be directed to SACSCOC by calling (404-679-4500) or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website ) or by contacting accreditation@marybaldwin.edu.
Program Accreditation
In addition to institutional accreditation through SACSCOC, several Mary Baldwin programs hold specialized accreditation from discipline-specific agencies.
Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences
The Baccalaureate, Master of Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice and Post-Graduate Certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). ()
The Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesiology Program at ÏãÃÛÓ°ÊÓ is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). ()
Palmer College of Professional Studies
Mary Baldwin’s educator preparation programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) –
The Bachelor of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). 2009–present. Accreditation Assessment Document