Institutional Accreditation
Faulkner University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award degrees at the following levels: associate, baccalaureate, master, and doctorate. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Faulkner 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).
Specialty Accreditations
Kearley Graduate School of Theology
The Kearley Graduate School of Theology is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools. The following degree programs are approved by the Commission on Accrediting: Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies, Master of Arts (Biblical Studies), and Master of Arts in Christian Ministry. In June 2018, the ATS Board of commissioners approved a four-year experiemental Doctor of Philosophy (Biblical Studies) degree, permitting the degree program to be completed in a synchronous distance education format.
The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools
10 Summit Park Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1110
Phone: 412-788-6505
Legal Studies
Faulkner University’s Legal Studies program, offered on the main campus in Montgomery, Alabama, is approved by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Paralegals. This program can also be accessed via the synchronous classroom and students can attend the program at each of the centers through this means.
For information regarding the institution’s accreditation contact:American Bar Association
Standing Committee on Paralegals
321 North Clark Street
Mail Stop 19.1
Chicago, Illinois 60610-4714
Speech Language Pathology
The Master of Arts/Master of Science (MA/MS) education program in speech-language pathology, residential education, at Faulkner University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
The Master of Arts (MA) education program in speech-language pathology, distance education, at Faulkner University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.
Teacher Education
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accredits Faulkner University College of Education. CAEP promotes excellence in educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement.
Faulkner University’s teacher education programs in the College of Education are approved by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). For information regarding the institution’s ALSDE approval contact:
Alabama State Department of Education
50 North Ripley Street
P.O. Box 302101
Montgomery, AL 36104*Note: The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction program is a non-certification program and is not subject to approval by the Alabama State Department of Education.
Thomas Goode Jones School of Law
Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law is approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738. Graduates are eligible to sit for the bar examination in any state.
Harris College of Business & Executive Education
International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
Physician Assistant Program
At its March 2023 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the Faulkner University Physician Assistant Studies Program sponsored by Faulkner University on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in March 2025.
Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years. However, that period may be extended by the ARC- PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA finds that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires additional time to come into full compliance. Probation accreditation status is granted, at the sole discretion of the ARC-PA, when a program holding an accreditation status of Accreditation - Provisional or Accreditation - Continued does not, in the judgment of the ARC-PA, meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened.
Once placed on probation, a program that fails to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC- PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.
Specific questions regarding the Program and its plans should be directed to the Program Director, Brittany Syner, at bsyner@faulkner.edu and/or the appropriate institutional official(s).
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-faulkner-%20university/.
Doctor of Occupational Therapy Accreditation
An occupational therapy educational program must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) prior to students’ graduation for its students to be eligible to sit for the national certification examination offered by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Faulkner University’s OTD program has been granted Candidacy Status by ACOTE. As a result of this action, Faulkner University is eligible to admit students into the OTD program, with the first cohort beginning in August 2022. Faulkner will proceed with the Preaccreditation Review step of the accreditation process. Faulkner will be notified of accreditation status by 2024. The first cohort is expected to graduate in May of 2025.
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
6116 Executive Blvd, Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
Phone: 301-652-6611
Email: accred@aota.org
Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree Accreditation Statement
Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085
Telephone: 703-706-3245
Email: accreditation@apta.org
Effective April 27th 2021, Faulkner University has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call 334-386-7378 or email physicaltherapy@faulkner.edu. Candidate for Accreditation is an accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates the program may matriculate students in professional courses. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status does not assure that the program will be granted Initial Accreditation.