Office of the Provost

NWCCU is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the authority on the educational quality and institutional effectiveness of higher education institutions in the Northwest region of the United States, including the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, as well as British Columbia, Canada.
https://www.nwccu.org/

The NWCCU verifies that University of Providence, located in Great Falls, Montana, has been accredited continuously by NWCCU since receiving initial accreditation in 1935. NWCCU accredits University of Providence at the associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degree levels. The Commission most recently reaffirmed the accreditation of University of Providence on the basis of a Spring 2018 Year Seven Mission Fulfillment and Sustainability evaluation. The University’s next comprehensive evaluation is scheduled for Spring 2025. NWCCU accreditation does not expire but is reaffirmed in a regular cycle of evaluation. (link to most recent letter of verification)

Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is an autonomous accrediting agency, contributing to the improvement of the public’s health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs in nursing.

CCNE serves the public interest by assessing and identifying programs that engage in effective educational practices. As a voluntary, self-regulatory process, CCNE accreditation supports and encourages continuing self-assessment by nursing programs and supports continuing growth and improvement of collegiate professional education and nurse residency programs. https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE

“The baccalaureate degree programs (RN-BSN and ABSN) in nursing and master’s degree programs in nursing at the University of Providence are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791”

Effective Oct 1, 2015, Montana joined the NLC (Nurse Licensure Compact) allowing all MT unencumbered licensees with a primary residence of MT to be eligible for a multi-state license. MT Licensees with a primary state of residence in a non-compact state will continue to hold a single state MT license. MT licensees with a primary state of residence in a compact state, can use their compact license to practice in MT. To see the status of a licensee, go to NURSYS look-up system: https://www.nursys.com (Quick Confirm). For more information about the NLC go to https://www.ncsbn.org/compacts.htm. The NLC was enhanced effective 1/19/2018. https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/nur

The principal objective of the American Bar Association’s program of approving paralegal education programs that meet ABA Guidelines, is to foster high-quality paralegal education and training and the development of educational standards. The Standing Committee on Paralegals and Approval Commission carry out this objective through an intensive review and on-site evaluation of such programs. The guidance and direction of the ABA through the Standing Committee and its Approval Commission has led to the development of superior paralegal education programs designed to raise the competence of those individuals who assist lawyers in the delivery of legal services.

The approval process is accomplished through extensive investigation of self-evaluation reports prepared by the paralegal programs as well as through on-site evaluations of program operations to verify that they operate in compliance with ABA Guidelines. Programs that successfully complete the evaluation process are approved for a period of seven years. https://www.americanbar.org/groups/paralegals/approval-resources/general_approval_process_information/

CACREP accredits master’s and doctoral degree programs in counseling and its specialties that are offered by colleges and universities in the United States and throughout the world.

The vision of CACREP is to provide leadership and to promote excellence in professional preparation through the accreditation of counseling and related education programs. As an accrediting body, CACREP is committed to the development of standards and procedures that reflect the needs of a dynamic, diverse, and complex society. CACREP is dedicated to:

• Encouraging and promoting the continuing development and improvement of preparation programs; and
• Preparing counseling and related professionals to provide services consistent with the ideal of optimal human development.

CACREP maintains collaborative relationships with other groups that focus on accreditation, licensing, certification, and the professional development of counselors and related practitioners. https://www.cacrep.org/about-cacrep/

Through the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM, Rule 10, Chapter 58), the Montana Board of Public Education (BPE) sets policy for the approval process of Montana professional education units and all endorsement programs offered by each educational institution through site review and subsequent focused reviews of the professional education unit as outlined in the current Professional Educator Preparation Program Standards and Procedures Manual. The OPI also recommends teacher education candidates for licensure to the Office of Public Instruction. https://opi.mt.gov/Portals/182/Page%20Files/Educator%20Preparation/ARM%2010.58/58chapter-amd.pdf

State authorization refers to federal, state and professional licensing board regulations that impact educational activities offered across state lines and programs that lead to professional licensure or certification. Compliance with these regulations ensures that a degree or credential from the University of Providence will be recognized.

The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, commonly known as NC-SARA, or simply SARA, has established a framework wherein member institutions voluntarily ascribe to a set of standards for postsecondary distance education. When states join SARA, they agree to follow uniform processes for approving their eligible institutions’ participation.

SARA’s policies help protect students and provide benefits to both states and institutions carrying out distance education in multiple states. As of 2022, 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are members of SARA. Over 2,300 colleges and universities participate in SARA. Membership in SARA is intended to provide students the opportunity to participate in educational opportunities in other SARA member states without having to seek individual approval in each state.

The University of Providence is approved as a SARA institution. Participation expands educational opportunities for UP students, decreases institutional risk, and reduces costs associated with offering University of Providence programs nationally.

To learn more about SARA, visit nc-sara.org.

Every student deserves a high quality online educational experience. When these expectations are not realized, students have avenues through which they can register a concern and seek an acceptable resolution. If the student concern arises out of their experience with UP, then the student should first avail themselves of the UP Student Concern process. Grade appeals and student conduct appeals should be addressed through the UP campus processes. These processes are designed to ensure that all student concerns and complaints are addressed fairly and promptly. If a student is not satisfied with the outcome of that process, a complaint involving allegations of dishonest or fraudulent activity, including the provision of false or misleading information, may be brought to the Montana SARA portal entity. The SARA portal entity in the state where the student is located will be notified that the complaint was received and may assist as needed.

The curriculum for programs customarily leading to licensure at the University of Providence has been designed to meet licensure/certification requirements as well as preparing students to apply for licensure exams.

The following table outlines the University of Providence programs that meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in each state.  In addition, states are listed in which licensure/certification requirements have not been determined.

The licensure boards in each state are responsible for establishing the requirements for licensure/certification for their state. Completion of a University of Providence program may not meet education requirements for a license or certification in another state.

Students who intend to return or move to another state need to review the professional licensure disclosures pertaining to their program and consult with the state professional licensing board. The state professional licensing boards make the ultimate decision as to whether an individual will be eligible to sit for licensure based on the rules and regulations in place at the time the individual submits their application for licensure.

If your program leads to a professional license or certification, authorization may be required from the state professional licensing board prior to beginning a clinical or field experience in that state. Check with your program’s internship or clinical coordinator with questions about state professional licensing board requirements prior to beginning an internship or field experience in another state.

The University of Providence makes every effort to ensure information about educational requirements for licensure or certification information is current; however, state requirements may change. Separate from educational requirements, state licensure boards may require applicants to complete professional examinations, background checks, years of professional experience, jurisprudence exams, etc. If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements before beginning an academic program.