Membership Categories and Criteria
Membership with ACCU is institution-based and all individuals affiliated with member institutions may receive the benefits of membership. ACCU has four categories of membership: full, candidate, international, and affiliate. Below you will find the criteria for each of the respective categories.
Full Members
A full member in ACCU:
• has its principal campus in the United States and is incorporated as a not-for-profit institution whose primary mission is higher education and whose governance features a president who reports to a board of trustees;
• is accredited by a regional accrediting association to offer one or more degree programs designed primarily for the lay public;
• is listed in the latest edition of either the annual Kenedy Directory or the Vatican Index (as amended from time to time), or is identified in writing by the local ordinary as a Catholic institution of higher learning encompassed by Ex corde Ecclesiae; and
• is approved by the ACCU Board of Directors after review by the Membership Committee.
Candidate Members
A Catholic institution of higher learning that is not regionally accredited but in all other respects meets the criteria for Full Membership may become a Candidate Member of ACCU upon formal application, review by the Membership Committee, and approval by the ACCU Board of Directors. Candidate Membership is limited to a five-year period, unless extended by action of the Board of Directors.
International Members
An international member:
• has its principal campus outside the United States and meets relevant national or accrediting standards;
• is listed in the Vatican Index (as amended from time to time) or is identified in writing by the local ordinary as a Catholic institution of higher learning encompassed by Ex corde Ecclesiae;
• makes formal application to the Corporation; and
• is approved by the ACCU Board of Directors after review by the Membership Committee.
Affiliate Members
To qualify for affiliate membership in ACCU, an organization must be a regional, national, congregational, or international not-for-profit association of Catholic colleges and universities, or a not-for-profit association of scholars or professionals from or working with such institutions. All applicants must focus, in part or in full, on strengthening Catholic identity in an affirmative, constructive manner. All organizations seeking membership must appear in the Official Catholic Directory or be connected to an organization(s) that is listed in such directory. Organizations that are engaged in peace and justice activities, Catholic mission and identity initiatives, and strengthening the religious charism of a religious order are particularly encouraged to apply. For more information, contact accu@accunet.org.