Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Richard G. Rhoda, Executive Director

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission is committed to assisting institutions in providing quality educational programs to its citizenry of Tennessee and the nation. Toward that end, all institutions governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents and the University of Tennessee subscribe to the standards of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and its process of peer review. In addition to achieving and maintaining accreditation for institutions as a whole, the academic programs at Tennessee’s public institutions are accredited by 46 agencies.

• Professional Accreditating Agencies
• Accrediting Agencies by Program

According to the Council for Higher Education, accreditation serves the following purposes:

• Assuring Quality-Accreditation is the primary means by which colleges, universities and programs assure academic quality to students and the public.
• Access to Federal Funds – Accreditation of institutions and programs is required in order for students to gain access to federal funds such as student grants and loans and other federal support.
• Easing Transfer – Accreditation of institutions and programs is important to students for smooth transfer of courses and programs among colleges and universities.
• Engendering Employer Confidence – Accredited status of an institution or program is important to employers when evaluating credentials of job applicants and providing financial support to current employees seeking additional education.