Asbury University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and education specialist degrees. Asbury University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Asbury 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 (www.sacscoc.org).
Asbury University is licensed to operate as an independent institution in Kentucky by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE). To file a complaint against an institution licensed by CPE, please complete and submit the CPE Consumer Complaint Form using this link: https://cpe.ky.gov/campuses/complaintform.html. The submission of the form will start the review process for your complaint.
Asbury University is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), which grants authorization through the four regional education compacts to deliver distance education courses and programs across state lines, to students in 48 participating states plus California and Puerto Rico. To see if your state is also a member, which would allow you to enroll in Asbury’s distance education programs, visit the NC-SARA website at https://www.nc-sara.org/.
Asbury University seeks to deliver all our online programs in every state. We work through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) process and with states directly to ensure that when authorization or licensure is necessary, required approvals are obtained. SARA is a voluntary agreement that allows states and institutions to offer distance education in other participating states so long as the institution adheres to certain quality and consumer protection standards. More information on SARA can be found here: https://www.nc-sara.org/. Kentucky is a member of SARA and Asbury University is an approved SARA institution.
*Important note for professional licensure programs: The fact that a given program may be approved to be offered in your state does not indicate or guarantee your eligibility for professional licensure or certification in that state.
Asbury University offers several programs which can lead to professional licensure in Kentucky. However, some states maintain different requirements for professional licensure, and Asbury University has made a determination which of its programs meet requirements for professional licensure outside of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Students not living or located in Kentucky who wish to pursue licensure outside of Kentucky should also consult the professional licensing board in the state in which they plan to seek licensure to determine specific requirements or guidelines for reciprocity, in order to reach their own determination of whether completion of a program at Asbury University would satisfy licensure requirements in a different state.
Elementary Education students are required to complete the clinical education components for the online program in Kentucky schools. For this reason, online Asbury University Elementary Education students are admitted only when they are Kentucky residents in order to be able to complete the state clinical requirements; students from other states are not allowed in the program due to the requirement that all clinical work must be done in Kentucky schools.
Asbury University’s School of Education is approved for all programs by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) and its programs are licensed with Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (KyCPE). Currently, the School of Education is nationally approved by the Council for the Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP) for its initial certification programs (online undergraduate BS in Elementary Education and online MAT).
Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education, Master of Arts in Teaching State Licensing Disclosures (PDF)
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) students are required to complete the clinical education components for the online program in Kentucky schools. For this reason, online Asbury University MAT students are admitted only when they are Kentucky residents in order to be able to complete the state clinical requirements; students from other states are not allowed in the program due to the requirement that all clinical work must be done in Kentucky schools.
The Social Work Department at Asbury University offers undergraduate programs in full compliance and accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education. This accreditation is a requirement of licensure in all fifty states and territories and as such our graduates fully meet this criterion for licensure at the undergraduate level.
Beyond completion of an accredited degree, states and territories may stipulate to additional conditions for licensure. Graduates of all applicable social work programs at Asbury University meet the academic requirement for licensure in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, by successfully completing the national bachelor’s level license through the association of Social Work Boards. If your post-graduation plans include practice outside the state of Kentucky, we recommend exploring licensure stipulations for each state in consideration. For more information regarding licensure please contact Dr. Bonnie Descoteaux, Department Chair.
Bachelor of Social Work State License Disclosures (PDF)
The successful completion of the Uniform CPA Exam is a requirement in every state (USA) to obtain licensure as a CPA. Other requirements, such as education and experience requirements, may vary for each state or jurisdiction. The Bachelor of Accounting does not meet the full requirements for licensure as the requirements for sitting for CPA Exam and full licensure can include but are not limited to 150 total semester college / university hours, post-graduation examinations, reference checks, and/or criminal background checks.
Asbury University strongly recommends that one inquires with his/her applicable state licensing board to determine all the educational and other requirements for licensure before enrolling in the program. Furthermore, this program is not available online or through distance education.
For more information whether this program meets individual state requirements, please review the Licensure Disclosure for the Bachelor of Science in Accounting (PDF)
The practice of psychology is regulated at the state level. State licensing authorities, commonly referred to as “State Boards,” determine the specific educational and training requirements for licensure in their State. Currently, there are no state boards which license candidates after completion of the bachelor’s degree in psychology. Most states require doctoral completion, and some states require post-doctoral training as well as examinations beyond educational and training requirements. As such, the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is not sufficient and does not meet licensure requirements in any and all states.
If one is planning to pursue professional licensure or certification, it is strongly recommended that one contact the appropriate licensing entity in the state for which one may seek licensure or certification to obtain information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements after completing the bachelor’s in psychology. Furthermore, this program is not available online or through distance education.
Licensure Disclosure for the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (PDF)
Asbury University strongly recommends that you inquire with your applicable licensing board to determine all of the educational and other requirements for licensure, before enrolling in the program. Other requirements may include, but are not limited to, additional post-graduation examinations or experience, application and licensing fees, criminal background checks, reference checks, fingerprint submissions, etc. To inquire as to other requirements, or ask any other questions regarding licensure, please contact the licensing board in your state by clicking on the link to the agency in the disclosures above.
Please note that licensure requirements are always subject to change. While a program may originally meet the educational requirements for licensure, changes in requirements could impact the program’s ability to meet any new educational requirements. While Asbury University will confirm the licensure requirements on a routine basis, we strongly recommend that you inquire with the state/territory board to confirm that you understand and will meet the requirements for licensure before enrolling in your program of choice. Please note that relocating while completing your program could impact whether you will meet the eligibility requirement for licensure. Please check with the state where you will be seeking licensure before relocating to ensure that you will be eligible for licensure or reciprocity.