Drake University has been on the approved list of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since 1913. Since reorganization of the Association in 2000, Drake University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Higher Learning Commission reaffirmed Drake's accreditation in 2018.

Phone: 312-263-0456
http://www.ncahlc.org/

In addition to University accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission, the following Colleges, Schools, and departments have been accredited by the agencies designated:

• Teacher Education and Educational Leadership programs are accredited by the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.
• Law School: Accredited by the Council of American Bar Association’s Section of Legal Education and Admission to the Bar and a charter member of the Association of American Law Schools.
• Zimpleman College of Business: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
• College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences:
  • Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
  • Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
  • Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
• School of Journalism and Mass Communication: Accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
• Department of Art and Design is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
• Department of Chemistry is accredited by The American Chemical Society.
• Drake University/Department of Music is accredited by The National Association of Schools of Music.

State Authorization Information

Drake University is registered by the Iowa College Student Aid Commission to operate in Iowa and to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education.

The Iowa College Student Aid Commission serves as the state agency responsible for reviewing student complaints related to institutional compliance with state laws and regulations. 

Students are expected to first complete Drake University's internal complaint or grievance process and receive a final decision before submitting a complaint to the Iowa College Aid Commission. If they believe the University has not appropriately addressed a concern, students may contact the Iowa College Student Aid Commission directly: 

Iowa Department of Education
Bureau of Iowa College Aid
400 E 14th St
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Online Form: https://educate.iowa.gov/higher-ed/student-complaints
Phone: 877-272-4456