Types of Accreditations
Regional Accreditation and National Accreditation
As of July 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education is no longer using or recognizing the terms "regional accreditation” or “national accreditation.” Instead, accrediting agencies and institutions can use either “institutional accreditation” or “national recognition.” UMGC has chosen to use the term, "institutional accreditation."
Institutional Accreditation
Public and private universities and colleges that offer a wide range of programs typically hold institutional (formerly regional) accreditation. To receive institutional accreditation, a university must pass a peer review by faculty and administrators from similar institutions. All of the institutions within the University System of Maryland, including UMGC, are institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the accrediting body available to Maryland and surrounding states.
Programmatic Accreditation or Recognition
This type of accreditation or recognition is given to a program, rather than to an institution, by a professional association affiliated with a particular academic discipline. It is assigned to an academic program that meets certain requirements set by that professional association.
Business & Management Program Accreditations & Recognitions
Bachelor of Science & Master of Science in Management Specialization in Human Resource Management
This degree program is recognized as SHRM Academically Aligned and as such, is seen as a top choice for students seeking a career in human resources. Students enrolled in a SHRM HR aligned program are provided with the opportunity to earn their SHRM-CP credential prior to graduating, providing them with a competitive advantage in the job market.
UMGC is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDC) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities. SHRM Recertification Providers are recognized as a “provider of choice” for SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP credential holders working to maintain their credential. HR/HR-related educational offerings identified with the SHRM Recertification Provider badge let credential holders know the program is pre-approved by SHRM for recertification professional development credits (PDCs).
UMGC is recognized by the HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®) as a Certification Preparation Provider. This designation indicates that UMGC's HR degree program curriculum aligns with the guidelines for HRCI's Professional in Human Resources® (PHR®) and Senior Professional in Human Resources® (SPHR®) certification exam preparation. PHR® and SPHR® are registered trademarks of the HR Certification Institute.
Master of Business Administration & Doctor of Business Administration
UMGC's School of Business has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas, USA. Please view our IACBE member status page and Public Disclosure of Student Achievement.
Master's Specializations & Graduate Certificate in Project Management
UMGC's master's degree programs with project management specializations are accredited by the Global Accreditation Center (GAC) of the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Completing any project management course in this program earns you the project management education hours required to sit for the Project Management Professional (PMP)® Credential Examination or the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® Exam. If you are already certified as a Project Management Professional by the Project Management Institute and your certification is current and valid, you may receive credit for ((course.pman634!id)). PMP and CAPM are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
This designation applies to the graduate certificate in project management and the project management specializations in the Master of Science in Management and Master of Science in IT.
Cybersecurity Designations
UMGC has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency and as a Center of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence (CDFAE) by the DC3 Academic Cyber Curriculum Alliance.
Education & Teaching Program Accreditation
University of Maryland Global Campus is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The Master of Arts in Teaching and the Master of Education in Instructional Technology have been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP through June 30, 2029. Full accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to maintain quality.
The Master of Arts in Teaching is approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission and approved by the Maryland State Department of Education as a professional education program leading to state teacher certification in the state of Maryland.
Healthcare Program Accreditations & Recognition
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
The baccalaureate degree in nursing at UMGC is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001-2399, 202-887-6791.
Master of Science in Health Information Management & Technology
The Health Information Management accreditor of University of Maryland Global Campus is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The University’s accreditation for a master's degree in health information management and technology has been reaffirmed through 2030. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL, 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.
UMGC is an Approved Education Partner of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), and our graduates are eligible to take the CAHIMS/CPHIMS (Certified Associate/Professional in Health Information and Management Systems) certification exams.
Additional Information
If you need additional information or documentation related to UMGC's accreditation or other federal or state approvals, please email the Chief Academic Officer at cao-office@umgc.edu.
UMGC is also a constituent institution of the University System of Maryland and is governed by the USM Board of Regents.
UMGC is authorized to provide hybrid courses and student support services at various locations throughout the United States. Learn more about our state authorization.
UMGC is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). University of Maryland Global Campus, 9625 Belvoir Road, Barden Education Center, Building 1017, Room 128, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060.
I chose UMGC because it was one of the only schools that were accredited for CAHIIM, specifically for Health Informatics and Health Administration degrees.
Ashley W., Collingdale, PA MS in Health Informatics Administration