In choosing a university, parents and students should pay close attention to whether their university of choice is regionally accredited or not.

Regional accreditation in higher education originated almost a century ago as an American process conferred by a nongovernmental agency. It provides quality assurance and ensures institutional program improvement. The agency has visited Grand Canyon University and all reviews on accreditation have been made by expert and trained peers. During the visit, educational activities, administration, financial stability, admissions and student personnel services, resources, student academic achievement, organizational effectiveness, and relationships with outside constituencies are reviewed.

Six regional agencies provide institutional accreditation on a geographical basis — Middle States, New England, North Central, Northwest, Southern, and Western. While independent of one another, the six regional associations cooperate extensively and recognize one another's accreditation.

Grand Canyon University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. This is a regional accrediting body as mentioned above. (30 N. LaSalle St. Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504 tel. 800-621-7440; http://www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org/.)

Grand Canyon University, through its Ken Blanchard College of Business, is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs to offer the following business degrees (7007 College Boulevard, Suite 420, Overland Park, KS 66211, (913) 339-9336):

The Bachelor of Science (BS) with majors in Accounting, Business Administration, and Marketing.
The Master of Business Administration (MBA)
The Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA)

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 530, Washington DC 20036, (202) 887-6791 accredits our Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the Master of Science - Nursing degree programs. Grand Canyon University is approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing to provide nursing programs in the State of Arizona.

The Grand Canyon University College of Education is approved by the Arizona State Board of Education to offer Institution Recommendations for the certification of elementary, secondary, special education teachers, and administrators. The Arizona state approved programs lead to Arizona certification and eligibility for an Arizona Institution Recommendation. Students of the College of Education are responsible for contacting their state Department of Education or Licensing Department for certification requirements and program approval.

Grand Canyon University is approved by most U.S. states to enroll students of that state by meeting state licensure, other related approvals, or by exemption. Some states require statements of approval and those are located below:

Alabama

Grand Canyon University has been granted authorization by the State of Alabama under Ala. Code 16-5-10 (14) (1975) to offer the academic degree programs described herein. Since credentials earned through the College of Education do not automatically qualify for teacher certification, endorsement, and/or salary benefits within the State of Alabama, prospective students are advised to contact the Alabama State Superintendent of Education.

Arkansas

Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board certification does not constitute an endorsement of any institution or program. Such certification merely indicates that certain criteria have been met as required under the rules and regulations implementing institutional and program certification as defined in Arkansas Code §6-61-301.

Indiana

This institution is regulated by The Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education, 302 West Washington Street, Room E 201, Indianapolis, IN 46204-2767. Toll Free Indiana Number: 1-800-227-5695 or 317-232-1320

Louisiana

Grand Canyon University is currently licensed by the Board of Regents of the State of Louisiana.  Licenses are renewed by the State Board of Regents every two years.  Licensed institutions have met minimal operational standards set forth by the state, but licensure does not constitute accreditation, guarantee the transferability of credit, nor signify that programs are certifiable by any professional agency or organization.

Minnesota

Grand Canyon University is registered as a private institution with the Minnesota Office or Higher Education pursuant to sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Registration is not an endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other institutions.

South Carolina

Licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, 1333 Main Street, Suite 200, Columbia, SC 29201, Telephone (803) 737-2260. Licensure indicates only that minimum standards have been met; it is not an endorsement of quality. Licensure is not equivalent to or synonymous with accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Tennessee
Grand Canyon University is authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. This authorization must be renewed each year and is based on an evaluation by minimum standards concerning quality of education, ethical business practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility.
A student may appeal an academically related University policy or decision, including tuition, fees, and Code of Conduct or Academic Dishonesty charge when extreme extenuating circumstances merit and where supporting documentation exists. Such grievances may involve, but are not limited to, final grades, discrimination, or harassment.

The appeal process is designed to offer the student two opportunities to be heard, as illustrated in the table below. Students should be aware that appeals in which policy or process was not followed, in which extenuating circumstances are not existent, are unlikely to be approved.
Students must file an online Grievance Form (http://my.gcu.edu/Academics/Pages/AcademicAppeals.aspx), the only acceptable manner for which is to submit a grievance. This form must be submitted with all supporting documentation that clearly and explicitly describes the grievance (including the actual policy being grieved), demonstrating he or she attempted in good faith to resolve the issues with the involved parties. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss the intended grievance with an Academic Counselor prior to submission.

Under extenuating circumstance, if the student believes the first level decision is unjust, the student may escalate the grievance to the second level by submitting another. Not liking the first level decision is not justification for filing a second grievance. A second appeal decision requires additional documentation to justify a re-submission of the grievance. The second level of appeal decision is the final decision of the University.   www.state.tn.us/thec

Washington

Grand Canyon University is authorized by the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) and meets the requirements and minimum educational standards established for degree-granting institutions under the Degree Authorization Act. This authorization is valid until July 15th, 2010, and authorizes Grand Canyon University to advertise and recruit for the following degree programs offered via distance learning: Master of Arts in Teaching; Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Reading; Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Technology; Master of Education in Education Administration; and Master of Education in Special Education for Certified Special Educators. Any person desiring information about the requirements of the Act or the applicability of those requirements to the institution may contact the HECB at P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430

Prospective Washington state students are advised to contact the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction at 360-725-6320 or profed@k12.wa.us to determine whether this education program is approved for teacher certification or endorsements in Washington state. Additionally, teachers are advised to contact their individual school district as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.