Accreditation

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz) and the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) is a two-campus consolidated entity accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is known by its authorized name, the University of Colorado Denver (the “University”), and by its working name, the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus.  The university's accreditation status was reaffirmed in 2021; the next comprehensive evaluation will occur in 2031.

Higher Learning Commission

230 South LaSalle Street
Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
info@hlcomission.org
Phone: 800-621-7440/312.263.0456
Web: https://www.hlcommission.org/component/directory/?Action=ShowBasic&Itemid=&instid=1040

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History of University Consolidation & HLC Accreditation

In 2004 the University of Colorado Board of Regents approved a consolidation of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (abbreviated as UCHSC) and the University of Colorado at Denver (abbreviated as UCD). This single entity became known as the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center (abbreviated as UCDHSC). The schools and college previously referred to as UCHSC now comprise the Anschutz Medical Campus.

Prior to their consolidation, UCHSC and UCD were accredited as independent institutions by the HLC. Prior to 1980 the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center was accredited as part of the University of Colorado system. The Health Sciences Center underwent comprehensive reviews by the HLC in 1980, in 1988, and in 1998.  In December 2004, the consolidated university submitted a report to the HLC requesting that the Commission consider UCDHSC as one accredited institution. The HLC team that conducted a focused visit in January 2005, recommended approval of this change and the HLC subsequently approved this change. 

In October 2007 the consolidated institution became known as the University of Colorado Denver. This was the authorized name not only with the HLC but with other entities also. We currently also use University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus as a working name for the university.

In April 2011, the University of Colorado Denver submitted a self-study encompassing both the Denver and Anschutz campuses and subsequently underwent a single and successful comprehensive visit to both campuses. Its accreditation was continued for a further ten years.

In 2021, the HLC reaffirmed the accreditation of the University of Colorado Denver for another ten-year period.  The next comprehensive evaluation is scheduled for 2030-31. To verify our accreditation status, visit our website.

For complete information on University of Colorado Denver accreditation, see the Statement of Accreditation Status on HLC’s website. 

School of Medicine

Anesthesiology Assistant Program

The CU Anschutz Anesthesiologist Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Committee for the Anesthesiologist Assistant (ARC-AA).  The program was last reviewed in 2023; the next comprehensive review is scheduled to occur no later than 2033.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 113th Street N. #7709
Seminole, FL  33775
Phone: 727-210-2350

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Child Health Associate/Physician Assistant Program

The CU Anschutz Anesthesiologist Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Committee for the Anesthesiologist Assistant (ARC-AA).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 113th Street N. #7709
Seminole, FL  33775
Phone: 727-210-2350
 

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Physical Therapy Program Accreditation

The CU Anschutz Physical Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).  The program was most recently reviewed in November 2020 and CAPTE reaffirmed the accreditation status based upon compliance with all of the evaluative criteria. The accreditation status remains in effect until December 2031. 

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education

3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085

800-999-2782 

accreditation@apta.org
 

The CU Anschutz Physical Therapy Program is a member of the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) which supports academic institutions to strive for excellence in physical therapist education.

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Medical Education (MD) Program

The CU Anschutz School of Medicine's medical education (MD) program is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). The program was last reviewed in March 2025; the next comprehensive site visit is scheduled for the 2032-33 academic year.

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) is the nationally recognized accrediting authority for medical education programs leading to the M.D. degree in the United States. It operates under the joint sponsorship of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association (AMA). The U.S. Department of Education recognizes the LCME as the official accrediting body for medical education programs in the U.S.

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College of Nursing

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program, Master of Science in Nursing degree program, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN Certificate program at the CU Anschutz College of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.  The programs were most recently evaluated in 2019 and granted accreditation for a 10-year term, extending to December 31, 2029.

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
655 K Street, NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001
202-463-6930

The Midwifery programs offered by the College of Nursing, completed as part of the Master of Science in Nursing degree program, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, or post-graduate APRN Certificate program, are accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Midwifery Education. The programs were most recently evaluated in 2019 and are accredited through July 2029.  In 2025 the Master of Science in Midwifery degree program was accredited as a companion program and is also accredited through July 2029. 

Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education
2000 Duke Street, Suite 300
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 835-4565
 

The College of Nursing maintains the following memberships:

• American Academy of Nursing
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• National Student Nurses Association
• Colorado Nurses Association
• National League for Nursing
• Sigma Theta Tau International

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Graduate School

The CU Anschutz Graduate School and its programs are encompassed in the university’s institutional accreditation, which is granted by the Higher Learning Commission.

Higher Learning Commission

230 South LaSalle Street
Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
info@hlcomission.org
Phone: 800-621-7440/312.263.0456

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School of Dental Medicine

The programs offered by the CU Anschutz School of Dental Medicine are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).  The programs were last reviewed in 2023; the next accreditation review will occur in 2030.

The Commission on Dental Accreditation serves the public and dental professions by developing and implementing accreditation standards that promote and monitor the continuous quality and improvement of dental education programs.

Commission on Dental Accreditation
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
800.232.6108

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Colorado School of Public Health

The Colorado School of Public Health is the first and only accredited school of public health in the Rocky Mountain West.  Accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the Colorado School of Public Health strives to train and support the public health workforce in Colorado and regionally.

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Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences

The Doctor of Pharmacy program of the CU Anschutz Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the national agency for the accreditation of professional degree programs in pharmacy and providers of continuing pharmacy education.  The program last underwent a comprehensive review in 2023-24; the next comprehensive review is scheduled for 2031-32.

The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) is a national agency for the accreditation of professional degree programs in pharmacy and providers of continuing pharmacy education. ACPE was established in 1932 for the accreditation of pre-service education, and in 1975 its scope of activity was broadened to include accreditation of providers of continuing pharmacy education. Once accredited, a school or college undergoes periodic renewal reviews. 

By accepting accreditation status, a school agrees to uphold the quality standards set by the accreditation organization and agrees to periodically submit to accreditation renewal review.