Institutional Accreditation

Baylor University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees. Baylor University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Baylor University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website.

Accreditation Process

Baylor University has been accredited by SACSCOC since 1914, and was most recently reaffirmed by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees in December 2018. Accreditation is maintained through a combination of annual reports, fifth-year reviews, and ten-year comprehensive reviews, including an on-campus site visit by representatives from peer institutions. For the most up-to-date information regarding Baylor's official status with SACSCOC, visit the SACSCOC Institutional Details page for Baylor University. If you need additional written documentation of our current status, you may contact the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

In 2024, SACSCOC published a new edition of its Principles of Accreditation, which covers fourteen areas of institutional quality.

Quality Enhancement Plan

In each ten year period, institutions propose an area for strategic improvement for student learning and success through a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). In 2018, Baylor initiated the Global Baylor QEP, which creates opportunities for students to engage in courses and activities that enhance their global perspective and intercultural competence.

Substantive Changes

Times of organizational change are occasions where institutions can be vulnerable to negative impacts on students. This could include starting a new program, adding a new degree level, or initiating a new instructional location. Institutional accreditors and the United States Department of Education (USDE) require sufficient planning through the Substantive Change process to ensure quality educational services are provided to students.

State Authorization

As a private, not-for-profit postsecondary institution in Texas, Baylor University is authorized to grant degrees in Texas based upon its accreditation by SACSCOC and a provision in House Joint Resolution 130. If enrolled or prospective students wish to review documents about Baylor's status with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, they can contact the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.