by Mark D. Weinstein, Executive Director of Public Relations
Fifty years ago, a banner reading “Hallelujah! Accreditation” draped across Alford Auditorium, signaling a historic moment for Cedarville University. On April 9, 1975, the university (then Cedarville College) was granted regional accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools — a milestone that not only validated the institution’s academic quality but also paved the way for exponential growth.
Now, five decades later, Cedarville is celebrating the far-reaching impact of that moment. What began with a single institutional accreditation has since expanded into a robust portfolio of professional accreditations across diverse academic disciplines.
“Accreditation was a turning point for Cedarville,” said Dr. Thomas White, president of the university. “It opened doors for our students and allowed us to pursue excellence in every academic area — always with the goal of glorifying God through high-quality education.”
A Half-Century of Academic Excellence
While some American colleges began seeking accreditation as early as 1900, Christian universities, like Cedarville, generally started the process between the 1950s and 1970s as they worked to ensure their missional commitments were matched by recognized academic quality.
Cedarville's regional accreditation is now overseen by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), ensuring that the university continues to meet rigorous standards for faculty qualifications, academic programming, institutional effectiveness and student outcomes.
Back in 1975, Cedarville President Dr. James T. Jeremiah and academic dean Dr. Cliff Johnson presented a self-study report that received high praise from HLC's predecessor. One North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools member remarked that it was "one of the finest self-studies he had seen, while others expressed that the recognition was "long overdue."
Since that moment, Cedarville has made strategic efforts to secure specialized accreditation for many of its growing number of programs. Today, Cedarville boasts 13 professional accreditations across schools and departments, affirming the university's commitment to excellence in fields ranging from pharmacy and engineering to education and the arts.
Accredited Programs at a Glance
Athletic Training – Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
Business – All undergraduate business programs and the MBA are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Education – Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
Engineering and Computing – Multiple programs accredited by ABET, including civil, electrical, mechanical, computer engineering, computer science, and cyber operations
Exercise Science – Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Music – Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music
Nursing – Cedarville's BSN and MSN degrees are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Pharmacy – Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
Physician Assistant Studies – Provisional accreditation by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
Social Work – Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
These accreditations not only ensure a high standard of instruction and curriculum development but also provide critical benefits for students — including eligibility for financial aid, ease of credit transfer, and access to graduate programs.
A Legacy Worth Remembering
Dr. Murray Murdoch, a long-time professor of history and one of the faculty members present in 1975, reflected on the enduring value of accreditation.
“It was a moment to reflect on how far we had come — and where God could take us next,” Murdoch said in a 1975 interview with the Whispering Cedars publication. “The process of self-study strengthened the institution and continues to shape our mission.”
While Cedarville’s growth has been remarkable, its leadership continues to echo the words of Dr. Jeremiah at the original accreditation announcement: “We may forget how all this was achieved. It was the blessing of God and hard work. All credit goes to God.”
As Cedarville celebrates the 50th anniversary of its regional accreditation, the university remains rooted in its mission: to provide Christ-centered higher education marked by academic excellence and intentional discipleship — all to prepare students to live out their faith in every vocation.
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.
