Accreditation & Professional Licensure

Institutional Accreditation

Rocky Mountain College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). NWCCU applies evidence-based standards and processes to support continuous institutional improvement and foster student success.

Accreditation assures that Rocky Mountain College as a whole meets or exceeds established criteria for educational quality, institutional integrity, and student achievement across academic programs, governance, mission, and resources. Institutional accreditation encompasses all degree levels and modes of delivery, including both onsite and online instruction.

For information on RMC’s accreditation status, please visit:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities Member Directory

Specialized and Programmatic Accreditation

In addition to institutional accreditation, certain academic programs at Rocky Mountain College have earned specialized accreditation or approval by professional agencies:

The Education Program is accredited by the Office of Public Instruction for the State of Montana; which is responsible for the preparation of elementary and secondary teachers.

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 

7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E,
Bethesda MD, 20814

ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA.

For the most up-to-date information on specialized program accreditations, please visit individual program pages or contact the appropriate department.

NC-SARA Participation

Montana is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), a nationwide initiative establishing comparable standards for interstate distance education. As a participating institution, Rocky Mountain College abides by NC-SARA standards for online programs offered to students in other member states, districts, and territories.

Professional Licensure:
Students residing outside Montana who are enrolling in or completing online programs leading to professional licensure should note that licensure requirements may vary by state. RMC makes every effort to determine whether programs meet educational requirements for licensure in other states; however, students are encouraged to consult the NC-SARA Professional Licensure Directory and relevant state boards to confirm eligibility.

NC-SARA Complaints:
Information regarding filing complaints related to State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement standards can be found here and may also be directed to:
Montana University System Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education
560 N. Park Avenue, 
PO Box 203201, Helena, MT
59620-3201 | 406-449-9124

For more, see the Commissioner of Higher Education’s website regarding the complaint process for institutions outside the Montana University System.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Some Rocky Mountain College degree programs are designed to meet educational requirements for professional licensure or certification necessary for employment in specialized fields. Licensure requirements differ by state and may involve additional criteria beyond program completion.
Prospective and current students should consult with program advisors and review state-specific requirements. RMC maintains updated professional licensure disclosures on individual program web pages.

State Authorization & Complaint Resolution

Rocky Mountain College is authorized by the State of Montana Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education to offer post-secondary degrees in Montana.

Resolution Process:
Rocky Mountain College is committed to resolving grievances, complaints, and concerns fairly. Students are required to initiate complaints directly with RMC.
Contact: studentrecords@rocky.edu

If the complaint cannot be resolved at the College level, students may pursue the matter with the Montana University System or appropriate state/federal agencies.

Montana University System Statement of Complaint Process

Pursuant to the United States Department of Education’s Program Integrity rule (34 CFR 600.9), Rocky Mountain College is required to provide prospective and current students with contact information for filing complaints with its accrediting agency and the State. Students should address complaints first to the institution, and then, if necessary, to its accrediting agency and/or the appropriate state agency.

Information regarding the Montana University System complaint process for all degree-granting institutions authorized to operate in Montana can be found at: https://mus.edu/MUS-Statement-of-Complaint-Process.html


If you have questions about accreditation, licensure, or the complaint process, please contact Rocky Mountain College directly.