Approvals and Accreditations

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredits Aurora University at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels.

HLC Contact Information
Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, Illinois 60604-1413
Phone: 800-621-7440 / 312-263-0456. Fax: 312-263-7462
https://www.hlcommission.org/

The baccalaureate and masters degree programs in nursing at Aurora University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001; 202-887-6791. (https://www.ccneaccreditation.org)

The baccalaureate and masters of social work degree programs at Aurora University are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, 333 John Carlyle Street, Suite 400; Alexandria, VA 22314; 703-683-8080. (https://www.cswe.org)

The Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor training program is accredited by the Illinois Certification Board (ICB), 401 E. Sangamon Avenue, Springfield, IL 62702; 217-698-8110. (https://www.iaodapca.org)

The master’s degree program in athletic training at Aurora University is accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education; 2002 K Street, 3rd Floor North, Washington DC 20006; 512-733-9700. (https://caate.net)
 

Licensure Programs

• Aurora University’s baccalaureate nursing degree program in Illinois is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (https://www.idfpr.com/Forms/DPR/NurseSchools.pdf)
  • Graduates from the nursing baccalaureate degree program are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN® Examination).
     
• Aurora University’s baccalaureate and masters of social work degree programs do not require state approval. Illinois does require a license to be an Illinois Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or an Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
  
  Following the changes of Public Act 102-0326, starting January 1, 2022, the licensing examination is no longer required for licensure as an Illinois Licensed Social Worker (LSW). New LSW applicants are not required to complete the Association of Social Work Board's (ASWB) Master’s examination prior to licensure. The Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulations (IDFPR) issues LSW licenses to individuals who apply to IDFPR and have documented meeting all other requirements for LSW licensure.
   
• Aurora University’s Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor training program does not require state approval. The Illinois Certification Board offers examinations to become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
   
• Aurora University’s Athletic Training program does not require state approval. In Illinois, athletic trainers must be certified by the Board of Certification (BOC) for the Athletic Trainer (https://www.bocatc.org) and licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (https://www.idfpr.com/profs/AthleticTraining.asp). Illinois does not track athletic trainer programs’ certification pass rates.
   
• Aurora University’s Therapeutic Recreation program does not require state approval. Therapeutic Recreation graduates are eligibility to sit for the certification exam and acquire the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist® (CTRS) credential. AU offers the academic path for the traditional academic graduate. Steps include (1) Completion of Bachelor's degree or higher with a concentration in Recreational Therapy (Therapeutic Recreation); (2) Completion of a minimum of 14 weeks/560 of hour internship supervised by a CTRS; and (3) Successful completion of the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification Exam.
   
• Aurora University’s initial teacher licensure programs are approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (https://www.isbe.net/Pages/IHE-Information.aspx?ItemId=2), through the School of Education, in
  • Biology
  • ESL/Bilingual
  • Chemistry
  • Early Childhood Special Education with ESL/Bilingual
  • Elementary Education
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Physical Education
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education 

The Illinois Principal Endorsement credential is offered through the School of Education. The Reading Specialist Endorsement (K-12) and the Reading Teacher Endorsement are offered in Illinois.

Other Approvals

• Aurora University is grandfather-authorized by the Illinois Board of Higher Education to operate as a postsecondary institution and grant degrees in the Fox Valley Region. Additional select programs are authorized in the South Metropolitan, West Suburban, Central, Western, and North Suburban regions.

State Authorization

• Aurora University has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education.