North Central Accreditation Self-Study Process Third Party Comments Dakota State University is seeking comments from the public about the University in preparation for its periodic evaluation by its regional accrediting agency. Dakota State University has been accredited by the Commission since 1961. The Commission on Institutions of Higher Education is one of the six accrediting agencies in the United States that provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis.
Institutional accreditation evaluates an entire institution and accredits it as a whole.
Other agencies provide accreditation for specific programs. Accreditation is voluntary. The Commission accredits approximately 950 institutions of higher education in nineteen-state region. The Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For the past year and half, Dakota State University has been engaged in a process of self-study, addressing the Commission's requirements and criteria for accreditation.