Southern New Hampshire University Accreditation: A Comprehensive Overview

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), since its establishment in 1932, has evolved into a prominent institution offering over 200 programs ranging from certificates to doctoral degrees. Recognized for its dedication to innovation, inclusivity, and support for diverse student communities, SNHU has become an agent of change in higher education. This article delves into various aspects of SNHU, including its operations, offerings, costs, accreditation, student outcomes, and the populations it serves.

A Brief History of SNHU

Founded in 1932 as the New Hampshire School of Accounting and Secretarial Science by Harry A. B. Shapiro and Gertrude Gittle Crockett Shapiro, SNHU has undergone significant transformations. In 1961, it was incorporated and renamed the New Hampshire College of Accounting and Commerce. The state of New Hampshire granted the college its charter in 1963, giving it degree-granting authority. The first associate degrees were awarded that year, and the first bachelor's degrees were conferred in 1966.

The 1970s marked a period of growth, with the college moving to its current 300-acre campus along the Merrimack River in 1971. In 1981, the college received authorization to offer Master of Science degrees in business-related subjects and Master of Human Services degrees. In 1995, New Hampshire College began offering distance learning programs through the Internet and expanded its academic offerings to include a Ph.D. in 1998. On July 1, 2001, New Hampshire College officially became Southern New Hampshire University.

President Paul LeBlanc, who took over in 2003, addressed the challenges posed by the early 2000s recession by focusing on the College of Online and Continuing Education, which helped revitalize the main campus.

Accreditation: The Gold Standard

Yes. Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), a regional accreditor. Regional accreditation is widely considered the gold standard for academic institutions in the United States. Accreditation is a measurement of an academic institution’s quality of education. For students, this accreditation means that SNHU degrees are widely recognized by employers, graduate schools, licensing boards, and other accredited colleges.

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Academic Programs and Offerings

SNHU offers roughly 200 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. The university builds programs and courses based on real-world knowledge, skills, and abilities grounded in both academic knowledge and the expertise of practitioners in the field. To maintain high-quality and academically relevant programs, all Southern New Hampshire University credit-bearing programs undergo a comprehensive review on a 5-year schedule, unless otherwise needed for industry or accreditation reasons. These program reviews include an analysis of program outcomes, curriculum, and student support, involving multiple constituents across the university including faculty, assessment committees, academic leadership, and external stakeholders. These program reviews comprise all student populations and delivery methods.

The university continually fosters transparency within program and course creation, assessment and evaluation, and alignment of program outcomes. Following the completion of a program review, required changes are implemented and monitored on an ongoing basis.

SNHU emphasizes career readiness through curriculum design, employer-aligned coursework, and flexible learning pathways.

Affordability and Accessibility

One of SNHU’s defining characteristics is its approach to affordability. SNHU also allows students to transfer up to 90 credits toward a bachelor’s degree. SNHU operates with a mission centered on access rather than exclusivity.

Student Outcomes

Student outcomes at SNHU vary by program, enrollment status, and student goals. SNHU publishes detailed program-level outcomes for certain degrees.

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SNHU's Mission and Vision

SNHU transforms lives by expanding access to education through high-quality, workforce-relevant, and meaningful learning experiences. Its mission has always driven it to focus on the future, pioneering pathways to education that don’t yet exist to help solve problems that do. Today, SNHU continues to be recognized as an agent of change in higher education, developing custom workforce learning solutions, community-based learning for the next generation of learners, and exploring radical new ways to make high-quality education more affordable, accessible, and achievable. It's all done with the goal of serving and supporting learners.

Campus and Facilities

The university’s physical campus spans roughly 300 acres just outside downtown Manchester, while its online division serves learners in all 50 states and internationally. SNHU also reports a global alumni network exceeding 258,000 graduates.

Several major construction projects have been completed on the main campus, including Washington Hall, Webster Hall, the Hospitality Center, and Belknap Hall. A new 152-room residence hall, Tuckerman Hall, opened in 2013, and a 50,000-square-foot Learning Commons opened in 2014. Three major construction projects were completed in 2017: the Gustafson Center, a new welcome center named for the former university president Richard A.

Innovations in Education

SNHU's College for America (CfA) operated from 2013 until it was retired. CfA offered degrees that relied on competency-based learning rather than traditional credit hours, based in part on programs at Western Governors University.

Recognition and Awards

The university's community economic development program received a 2007 New England Higher Education Excellence Award, the Robert J. McKenna award. In 2014, the School of Business and the COCE won multiple "Best of Business" Awards, for Best MBA Program and Best Online Degree Program, respectively. SNHU is a recipient of the NCAA Foundation Academic Achievement Award, which recognizes high graduation rates among student athletes. SNHU took home the award for the highest graduation rate among all Division II institutions.

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