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Excellence you can trust
Crestmont University is built around the professionals it serves.
- OUR CREDENTIALS
Accreditations, approvals and memberships
Crestmont University is authorized to provide postsecondary education in the State of South Dakota pursuant to South Dakota Codified Law 13-48. Crestmont is approved to operate as an out-of-state private institution by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Crestmont is an approved institutional participant in all other 49 states by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).
Institutional Accreditation
DEAC
Distance Education Accrediting Commission
Crestmont University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Student Achievement Disclosure.
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Memberships
CHEA
Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Crestmont University is a recognized CHEA member institution. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is a national advocate and institutional voice for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation. CHEA is an association of 3,000 degree-granting colleges and universities and recognizes 60 institutional and programmatic accrediting organizations.
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State Approval
BPPE
Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
Crestmont University is a private institution licensed to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). “Licensed to operate” indicates compliance with state standards as set forth in Chapter 94897 of the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009. Annual Report. Performance Fact Sheet.
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Progammatic Accreditation
ACBSP
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Crestmont University’s programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). ACBSP accreditation recognizes teaching quality, measurable learning outcomes, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
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Memberships
NC-SARA
National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements
Crestmont University has been approved to participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) through the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).
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Provisional Status
Crestmont University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) and is currently designated as having Provisional Status, effective October 5, 2026.
Reason for Provisional Status
Crestmont University’s SARA participation is provisional because:
The institution is on provisional or probationary status or the equivalent with its institutional accrediting agency or is subject to a sanction or “show cause” order.
Crestmont University remains accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and is currently operating under a Show Cause Directive.
The University will maintain current information regarding its SARA participation status on this website and will update this disclosure as appropriate.
For questions regarding Crestmont University’s SARA participation or state authorization, please contact the Compliance Department (compliance@crestmontuniversity.edu)
- STUDENT BENEFITS
What this means for you
Your accreditation matters as much as ours. Here’s what it means for your degree, your credits, and your next step.
Transferable credits
Credits you earn at an accredited institution are more likely to be accepted by other accredited schools.
Employer recognition
Employers recognize degrees from accredited institutions as meeting established quality standards.
Financial aid eligibility
Accreditation is often required to qualify for federal financial aid and scholarships.
Recognized authorization
Through NC-SARA, Crestmont University is authorized to serve students across participating U.S. states, and its accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Important Accreditation Status Notice
Crestmont University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and is currently operating under a Show Cause Directive issued by DEAC.
Crestmont University remains accredited while the Show Cause Directive is pending. The Show Cause Directive requires the University to demonstrate compliance with specific DEAC accreditation standards.
Scope of the Show Cause Directive
The scope of the directive relates primarily to Crestmont University’s operations and regulatory representations concerning its South Dakota headquarters and California activities, including:
- Institutional governance and Board oversight;
- State authorization, ownership, governance, and regulatory compliance;
- Accuracy and consistency of institutional and public representations concerning the University’s locations, operations, accreditation, and state authorization; and
- Documentation demonstrating the functions, administrative operations, educational activities, and other institutional activities conducted through the University’s South Dakota headquarters.
Crestmont University is actively addressing the matters identified in the directive and is preparing its formal response and supporting documentation for submission to DEAC by December 1, 2026. DEAC is expected to consider the matter at its January 2027 Commission meeting.
As part of the Show Cause process, DEAC has also required Crestmont University to maintain a Teach-Out Agreement with an accredited institution offering similar distance education programs. The Teach-Out Agreement is a contingency measure intended to protect students and provide for continuity of their education should it become necessary.
The requirement to maintain a Teach-Out Agreement does not mean that Crestmont University is closing or that its accreditation has been withdrawn.
Crestmont University will keep this disclosure current and provide updates regarding its accreditation status as appropriate.
For additional information or questions regarding Crestmont University’s accreditation status, please contact the Compliance Department at compliance@crestmontuniversity.edu.
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