Accreditation

Since 1913, the University of Chicago has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, 230 S. LaSalle St., Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604; 800.621.7440. Additional information regarding accreditation, approval, or licensure of the University is available upon request from Ingrid Gould, Associate Provost, 773.702.8846, igould@uchicago.edu.

In addition to the University’s accreditation, various academic programs receive specialized accreditations. Information regarding accreditation, approval, or licensure from individual academic programs is available upon request as follows:

1. The University of Chicago Booth School of Business
   Accredited by: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
   Contact: Lisa Messaglia, Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs, 773.702.8220, lisa.messaglia@chicagobooth.edu
2. The University of Chicago Divinity School
   Accredited by: Association of Theological Schools
   Contact: Suzanne Riggle, Associate Dean for Finance and Administration, 773.702.8219, sriggle@uchicago.edu
3. The University of Chicago Urban Teacher Education Program
   Accredited by: Illinois State Board of Education
   Contact: Tinishia Legaux Washington, Interim Leader and Foundations Year Instructor, 773.895.8071, tlegaux@uchicago.edu
4. The University of Chicago Law School
   Accredited by: American Bar Association
   Contact: Marsha Ferziger Nagorsky, Associate Dean for Communications and Lecturer in Law, 773.834.5958, m-ferziger@uchicago.edu
5. The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
   Accredited by: Liaison Committee on Medical Education
   Contact: Vineet Arora, Dean for Medical Education, 773.702.0223, dean-for-meded@bsd.uchicago.edu
6. The University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice
   Accredited by: Council on Social Work Education
   Colleen Grogan, Deborah R. and Edgar D. Jannotta Professor and Deputy Dean for Curriculum, 773.834.3907, cgrogan@uchicago.edu

Distance Education Programs Authorization

The University of Chicago is authorized to offer distance education programs through its participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). SARA is a voluntary agreement among member states that establishes comparable national standards for postsecondary distance education courses and programs.

In keeping with SARA guidelines, as well as other applicable legal requirements, distance learners are afforded certain rights and protections, including the ability to bring complaints regarding a distance-learning program. Examples of issues that could lead to complaints include: veracity of recruitment and marketing materials; accuracy of information about tuition, fees and financial aid; and complete and accurate admissions requirements for courses and programs.

Complaints related to the University’s distance education programs should be directed to the Office of the Dean of Students in the University (5711 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago, IL 60637 or DOS-University@uchicago.edu). This office will investigate the complaint in a timely fashion, resolve the complaint, report the outcome to the complainant, and maintain a record of the complaint. This resolution process does not apply to complaints about grades or student conduct violations, which instead may be submitted and resolved through the established University of Chicago procedures for these types of matters.

If a complaining party is not satisfied with the resolution of the complaint, students from participating SARA states may contact the Illinois Board of Higher Education (the Illinois SARA portal agency) with complaints that were not resolved through the student complaint procedure described above. The Illinois Board of Higher Education’s online complaint system is available at https://complaints.ibhe.org/. Students may also contact the Illinois SARA Coordinator at the Illinois Board of Higher Education, Nkechi Onwuameze (sara@ibhe.org, 217.557.7382, Illinois Board of Higher Education, 1 North Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333, Springfield, IL 62701).

Licensure

Many professions in the U.S. are regulated by state agencies that require individuals to obtain a license or certification as a condition of employment. States differ as to which professions are regulated in this manner. Common categories include, but are not limited to, legal services, social services, architecture, engineering, education, accounting, and health care. 

The University of Chicago advises any prospective student who is considering a program that requires a professional license in the prospective student’s home state to contact the appropriate licensing body for guidance before embarking on an academic program located outside of that home state. Any current student who is enrolled in a program that requires a professional license and is considering relocating to a new state is likewise advised to contact the appropriate licensing body in the new state for guidance relating to professional licensure. Prospective or current students may also contact the University Registrar at the University of Chicago with questions regarding professional licensure.  

Importantly, admitted applicants, matriculating students, and enrolled students must promptly update their University record—for enrolled students, via AIS—if they relocate to another state.

In accordance with applicable federal regulation (34 CFR § 668.43(a)(5)(v)), the University of Chicago provides the following information regarding programs leading to professional licensure or certification. 

Law School

The University of Chicago Law School is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Students who graduate from the University’s J.D. program (including those who are enrolled in the dual degree programs described below) meet the legal education requirements to qualify for the bar examination in the states listed below.  Each state, however, has specific requirements for admission distinct from the University’s graduation requirements. Students and applicants are responsible for ensuring that they have met the specific requirements of the state in which they intend to practice and are encouraged to contact the bar admissions authority in the jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission for detailed information regarding the eligibility requirements to be admitted to the bar.  The dual degree programs offered by the University that lead to the above qualification include the JD/MBA, JD/MPP, JD/PhD, JD/MDiv, and JD/MA programs.

Pritzker School of Medicine 

The University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine Doctor of Medicine Program is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).  At the end of their medical education, students (including those who are enrolled in the dual degree programs described below) are certified as having completed their requirements for the medical degree, and that information may be used for them to obtain a license to work as residents under supervision by a licensed physician in the states listed below.  The dual degree programs offered by the University that lead to the above certification include the MD/MBA, MD/MA in Public Policy, MD/MPH, MD/MS in Bioinformatics, and MD/PhD programs.

Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice

The University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.  The School offers two programs that are designed or advertised as meeting professional licensure or certification required for employment as a social worker.

• Students who graduate from the master’s program with an AM degree in Social Work, Social Policy, or Social Administration (including the Full-Time program, Advanced Standing program, Part-Time Day program, Extended Evening program, and the AM portion of the dual degree programs described below) meet the educational requirements to be eligible for social work licensure in the states listed below.  The dual degree programs that fulfill the educational requirements for licensure include the AB/AM, AM/MBA, AM/MDiv, PhD/AM, SW/SSL, and AM/MPP programs.

• Students who earn the Post Master’s School Social Worker Endorsement Certificate meet the educational requirements to be eligible to apply for the Professional Educator License (PEL) with School Social Worker Endorsement (formerly the Type 73 Certificate) required to practice as a School Social Worker in Illinois.  The School has not made a determination regarding whether students who earn the Post Master’s School Social Worker Endorsement Certificate fulfill the educational requirements for a specific professional licensure or certification required for employment in any states other than Illinois. 

Of significant import, each state, including Illinois, has specific requirements for social work licensure distinct from the University’s graduation requirements.  Examples of such requirement may include, but are not limited to, additional post-graduation examinations or experience, application and licensing fees, and background or reference checks. Students and applicants are responsible for ensuring that they have met the specific licensure requirements of the state in which they intend to practice and are encouraged to contact the state licensing board in the jurisdiction in which they intend to practice for detailed information regarding the eligibility requirements for licensure.

Urban Teacher Education Program

The University of Chicago Urban Teacher Education Program (UTEP) is accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education.  Students who graduate from UTEP with a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) meet the educational requirements to be eligible for licensure in Illinois and receive an Illinois teacher license with an endorsement in Elementary (1 – 6) and/or Middle School (5 – 8) Education.  UTEP has not made a determination regarding whether the MAT program, if successfully completed, is sufficient to meet the educational requirements for teacher licensure and certification in states other than Illinois. 
 
In addition, each state has specific requirements for licensure distinct from the University’s graduation requirements.  Examples of such requirements may include, but are not limited to, additional post-graduation examinations or experience and application and licensing fees.  

Students and applicants are responsible for ensuring that they have met the specific licensure requirements of the state in which they intend to teach and are encouraged to contact the state licensing board in the jurisdiction in which they intend to teach for detailed information regarding the eligibility requirements for licensure.

*UChicago is in the process of determining whether these programs meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification in these states.