Eligibility as an InCommon Higher Education participant

A Higher Education Institution is defined in InCommon policy as a U.S. two- or four-year institution accredited by one of the following agencies. Also, some systems and central coordinating offices/organizations are also eligible to join under this classification. See section 4.1 of the FOPP, and send us a note us to discuss.

Regional institutional accrediting agencies

These regional accreditation agencies are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

• Higher Learning Commission
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• New England Commission of Higher Education
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges

National institutional and specialized accrediting bodies

InCommon also accepts accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

State Agencies that accredit institutions

Accreditation from these state agencies also meets InCommon’s requirements.

• New York State Board of Regents (Public Postsecondary Vocational Education)
• Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education
• Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
• Pennsylvania State Board of Vocational Education, Bureau of Career and Technical Education
• Puerto Rico State Agency for the Approval of Public Postsecondary Vocational, Technical Institutions and Programs