The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities is a membership organization made up of Catholic institutions of higher education across the United States and the world. Members are not-for-profit institutions whose primary mission is higher education and whose Catholic identity is verified in writing by The Official Catholic Directory, Vatican Index, or another credible source.
ACCU serves its member campuses in a number of timely and critical ways, helping foster vibrant Catholic identity at member institutions, supporting cooperation among members, and responding to emerging member needs. We are proud to have over 200 higher education institutions and organizations as ACCU members!
Benefits | Categories | Dues | Renewal | FAQs | Member Portal Login Guide
Why Join ACCU?
ACCU offers an extensive variety of member benefits unique to Catholic institutions of higher education, including:
- Member-only services, resources, and programs, like our job board with FREE member postings
- Media representation through ACCU, serving as the voice of Catholic higher education
- Support for Catholic identity and mission
- Conferences and events for Catholic higher education administrators
- Publications focused on current topics in Catholic higher education
- Platforms for networking and exposure among peers
New to a member institution? Make sure to let ACCU know by completing the affiliation request form.
Membership Categories and Criteria
Membership with ACCU is institution- or organization-based, with all individuals affiliated with the ACCU member eligible to receive the benefits of membership.
ACCU has two categories of membership: full (domestic and international institutions) and auxiliary (affiliate organizations and candidate institutions). Below you will find the criteria for each of the respective categories, along with additional member category information.
Domestic Members
In order to qualify for ACCU membership, domestic members must meet all of the following criteria:
- The institution’s principal campus is in the United States.
- The institution is incorporated as not-for-profit, with a primary mission in higher education and whose governance features a president who reports to a board of trustees.
- The institution has verification as a Catholic institution of higher learning encompassed by Ex corde Ecclesiae by at least one of the following means:
- The Official Catholic Directory listing
- Vatican Index listing
- Identified in writing by the local ordinary
International Members
In order to qualify for ACCU membership, Catholic colleges and universities outside the United States must meet all of the following criteria:
- The institution’s principal campus is outside the United States and meets relevant national or accrediting standards.
- The college or university has verification as a Catholic institution of higher learning encompassed by Ex corde Ecclesiae by at least one of the following means:
- Vatican Index listing
- Identified in writing by the local ordinary
Affiliate Members
In order to qualify for ACCU affiliate membership, organizations must meet all of the following criteria:
- The organization must be either:
- 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.
- The organization must focus, in part or in full, on strengthening Catholic identity in an affirmative, constructive manner.
- The organization 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.
Candidate Members
A Candidate Member is defined as a Catholic college or university of higher education which is not regionally accredited but in all other respects meets the criteria for Full Membership (See domestic or international institutions criteria).
Candidate membership is limited to up to a five-year period, unless extended by action of the Board of Directors and the Membership Committee.
Dues
ACCU member dues are calculated at a flat rate for auxiliary membership (affiliate and candidate). Full membership (domestic and international institutions) dues are based on full-time equivalent of student populations.
Ready to Join ACCU?
To apply formally for an institutional membership with ACCU, please complete the online application
form below in its entirety, submitting any required documents.
Membership Renewal
Already an ACCU member? Great! ACCU membership is institution or organization based, not individuals. Therefore, the key contact (i.e., college President or organization Executive Director) will receive notices for renewal in mid-April each year. Once membership dues are received and processed at ACCU, your institution and its leadership team will have immediate access to member benefits.
FAQs
Is my institution or organization a member of ACCU?
ACCU has over 200 member institutions and organizations. Please reference the ACCU member directory.
Am I considered a member and eligible for member benefits?
Membership with ACCU is institution-based. All employed faculty, staff, and administrators of member institutions are eligible for membership benefits.
Who is the voting member for my institution? When does voting on formal ACCU member business take place?
The president of each member institution is the voting representative for the respective member institution. Voting on formal membership business takes place at the presidents-only portion of the ACCU Annual Meeting.
How can I update my personal contact information on file with ACCU?
Please contact us via email to make changes.
New to your member institution or organization?
Key contacts for your institution, typically ACCU member president offices, have the added ability to update any personnel records that ACCU has on file for the institution.
ACCU is also happy to affiliate you with the member institution so you can gain access to member benefits. Please contact us at 202-457-0650 or via email.
My institution is a member of ACCU. Can I receive a copy of the Journal of Catholic Higher Education?
Member institutions automatically receive three hard copies of JCHE as a benefit of membership: Two are sent to the president’s office, one for the chief executive and one for the board of directors. The campus library receives the third copy.
Other faculty and staff on campus may purchase an individual subscription for $25 per issue or $50 per year. Visit the JCHE page to learn more about subscribing or purchasing individual copies. And check out our ACCU store for additional publications provided either for FREE or at a nominal member rate!
What is the due date for payment of membership dues?
The ACCU membership year runs from July 1 to June 30 of the following year.
Payment of membership dues must be submitted to ACCU by June 30 of each year. Payment may be made online or in the form of a check, wire transfer, or ACH.
How can I obtain a copy of ACCU’s Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (IRS Form W-9) for my institution’s records?
Please complete the contact form below to request a copy of ACCU’s W-9 form.
Member Portal Login Guide
Further Questions About Membership?
Contact us below.