Accreditation and Licensure

Accreditation


Thomas Edison State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801. The MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Professional Accreditations


In addition to our institutional accreditation, Thomas Edison State University has earned specialized and program-specific accreditations recognizing the quality of our degree programs.

Our Professional Accreditations Include:

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)


CCNE AccreditedThe baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Thomas Edison State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. Continuing accreditation status is valid for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing degrees from Oct. 7, 2013, until June 30, 2034, and from Nov. 14, 2022, until June 30, 2033, for the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

State of New Jersey Board of Nursing


State of New Jersey Board of Nursing logoThe W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions’ Accelerated BSN Program at Thomas Edison State University is accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing. The New Jersey Board of Nursing grants full approval to nursing programs who maintain compliance with the New Jersey Board of Nursing Rules and Regulations as evidenced by: annual reports submitted by the program, site visits, reports and appropriate passing percentages of first-time writers on the NCLEX-RN examination. For further information on the Board of Nursing approval or specific concerns about the TESU nursing program, contact: New Jersey Board of Nursing, 124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor Newark, NJ 07102, 973-504-6430.

Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ABET)


ABET Engineering Technology Accreditation CommissionThe Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in electronics systems engineering technology is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission(s) of ABET, under the General Criteria and the Electrical/Electronic(s) Engineering Technology and Similarly Named Programs Program Criteria. Also, The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in nuclear energy engineering technology is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission(s) of ABET, under the General Criteria and the Nuclear Engineering Technology and Similarly Named Programs Program Criteria.

Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)


ACBSP AccreditedThe following business programs at Thomas Edison State University are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP):

ACBSP Accredited Degree Programs

Non-ACBSP Accredited Degree Programs

Accreditation since 2017, documentation can be obtained by contacting the accrediting agency directly.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)


CAAHEP logoThe following polysomnography programs at Thomas Edison State University were awarded initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Continuing accreditation status is valid from March 16, 2012, to the present.

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)


CAEP logoThomas Edison State University’s Master of Arts degree in educational leadership program, which is designed to prepare educators for roles in school leadership, was awarded CAEP accreditation in May 2023. CAEP’s purpose is to advance excellence in educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning. CAEP was formed in 2010 when NCATE and TEAC, two educational accrediting agencies, were consolidated. CAEP became formally recognized by CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation) in 2014. Prior to receiving CAEP accreditation in 2023, the master's in educational leadership program had been accredited by TEAC since 2015. The accreditation does not include individual education courses that the EPP offers to P-12 educators for professional development, licensure or other purposes. This accreditation certifies that the forenamed professional education program has provided evidence that the program adheres to CAEP’s standards and quality principles.

Accrediting Agency Contact Information


Students desiring to file a complaint with an accreditor of Thomas Edison State University should contact the accreditor directly at the contact information provided above for each accrediting agency.

Licensure


Thomas Edison State College was established by the New Jersey Board of Higher Education on July 1, 1972, and was established as a State College in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 64 of Title 18A on May 18, 1973. Thomas Edison State College was renamed Thomas Edison State University on Dec. 21, 2015, and continues to operate as a licensed New Jersey higher education institution under the provisions of the NEW JERSEY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, TITLE 9A:1-1.3(e).

The New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education is the state licensing entity for Thomas Edison State University.

Students desiring to file a complaint with the N.J. Office of the Secretary of Higher Education should follow the procedures established by the Office of the Secretary using the following link: www.state.nj.us/highereducation/OSHEComplaintInstructions.shtml

Note: Students should follow Thomas Edison State University complaint procedures before contacting the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) will not review a complaint until all grievance procedures at the institution have been followed, all avenues of appeal exhausted and documentation provided that such procedures have been exhausted.

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)


SARA Participating Institution SealThe State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, commonly known as SARA, is an agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education. Thomas Edison State University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.