Accreditation
A page within Institutional Research, Assessment & Planning (IRAP)
Institutional accreditation is the process by which the University demonstrates to the public that it is fulfilling its mission to provide a quality education through the appropriate use of its resources and its adherence to the criteria established for all colleges and university in our region in the North Central region by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The university was first accredited in 1928 as Wisconsin State College at La Crosse and remains accredited by HLC.
HLC 2026 Accreditation Visit Information
UWL HLC archive site (internal users only)
UWL Assurance Argument - April 2016
UWL Assurance Argument - December 2019
Programmatic Accreditation
Programmatic accreditation is the process by which already accredited institutions obtain accreditation designated for specific programs, departments, or professions.
For instance, some professions are regulated by state licensing boards that may mandate applicants to have graduated from academic programs accredited by a particular agency or organization. Programmatic accreditation ensures that students meet professional standards, are eligible for professional licensing, and/or can continue graduate-level studies at other institutions through reviewing, verifying, and recognizing UWL programs that meet rigorous standards of quality.
Current Program and Unit Accreditations
| Program | Accrediting Agency | Academic Year of Last Review | Academic Year of Next Review |
| Athletic Training | 2015-2016 | 2025-2026 | |
| Biochemistry | 2024-2025 | 2031-2032 | |
| College of Business Administration | 2022-2023 | 2028-2029 | |
| Chemistry | 2022-2023 | 2028-2029 | |
| Medical Dosimetry |
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology |
2020-2021 | 2028-2029 |
| Music | 2020-2021 | 2030-2031 | |
| Nuclear Medicine Technology |
Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology |
2020-2021 | 2027-2028 |
| Occupational Therapy | 2015-2016 | 2025-2026 | |
| Outdoor, Recreation, Tourism, and Event Management |
Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions |
2021-2022 | 2026-2027 |
| Public Health & Community Health Education | 2021-2022 | 2026-2027 | |
| Physical Therapy | 2017-2018 | 2027-2028 | |
| Physician Assistant |
Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant |
2016-2017 | 2026-2027 |
| Radiation Therapy |
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology |
2017-2018 | 2025-2026 |
| Recreational Therapy |
Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions |
2021-2022 | 2028-2029 |
| School Psychology | 2020-2021 | 2027-2028 | |
| Overall University HLC Accreditation | 2015-2016 | 2025-2026 |
