CSN - Accreditation

MISSION The College of Southern Nevada empowers our students and communities to achieve, succeed, and prosper.

The College of Southern Nevada (CSN) has been continuously accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) since September 1, 1975. NWCCU recognizes higher education institutions for performance, integrity, and quality and expects accredited institutions to comply with the requirements of the Higher Education Act of 1965. This accreditation qualifies CSN and enrolled students to access federal funds to support teaching, research, and student financial aid. CSN is authorized by NWCCU to award Associate and Bachelor degrees.

The NWCCU adopted new accreditation standards (effective January 2020) that focus on mission fulfillment, institutional effectiveness, student learning, student achievement, governance, resources, and capacity. CSN uses these standards to guide all academic and operational procedures at the institution.

In Fall 2022, CSN prepared a Year-7 comprehensive Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness self-report for the NWCCU including an on-site visit to the college on October 5-7, 2022.  Subsequently, the NWCCU issued CSN Reaffirmation of Accreditation in February 2023. CSN prepared an ad-hoc report responding to 2022 Recommendations 1 & 4 with a follow-up peer site visit from the NWCCU in Fall 2024 .  CSN prepared and submitted a mid-cycle report on August 1, 2025 in preparation for a corresponding peer site-visit on October 6 & 7, 2025.  The Mid-cycle report also provides an institutional response to the 2022 Recommendations 2, 3,  and 4.

The NWCCU provides individuals with the opportunity to comment on an institution's compliance with Standards for Accreditation.  To provide comments to the commission click the link below.

NWCCU comments process

Accreditation and CSN (PDF)

Specialized Program Accreditation

Several CSN academic programs are accredited through their professional and specialized organizations.  List of Programs , accrediting agency, and accreditation status.

Professional Licensure Programs

Several CSN academic programs lead to state licensure or national certification.  List of Programs.

Athletics

CSN's Men's Baseball and Women's Softball programs are members of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).