McPherson College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602; web address: www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org). Historically, the college became one of Kansas’ first accredited colleges in 1921; however, North Central withdrew its accreditation seven years later, primarily due to the college’s financial problems. McPherson College regained accredited status in 1940 and has retained continuous affiliation with North Central since. McPherson College’s last comprehensive accreditation visit was in 1995. The next visit is scheduled for the academic year 2004-2005.
The college is also accredited by the Kansas State Department of Education (120 SE 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66612-1182) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE, 2010 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20036-1023). Action by the State Board of Education in March 2003 continues accredited status through December 31, 2007. Students may seek endorsement in elementary education, music education, art education, Spanish, English speakers of other languages, health, physical education, mathematics, general science, biology, chemistry, English, speech communication, psychology, social studies (American history, U.S. government, world history), and industrial technology education.