Accreditation
Wake Forest University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Wake Forest University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Wake Forest University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org).
Professional Licensure Disclosures for Enrolled and Prospective Students
Each state is responsible for establishing its own requirements for applicable professional licensing and/or certification requirements. If you are considering a degree program that may lead to a professional license and/or certification, please be aware that at this time, a determination has not been made as to whether any Wake Forest UniversitySchool of Medicine educational programs meet the requirements for professional licensure and/or certification for any state.
The curriculum for all School of Medicine degree programs have been designed to meet the licensure/certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for licensure/certification exams in North Carolina. Each state is responsible for establishing its own requirements for applicable professional licensing and/or certification requirements. If you are considering a degree program that may lead to a professional license and/or certification, please be aware that at this time, a determination has not been made as to whether any Wake Forest University School of Medicine educational programs meet the requirements for professional licensure and/or certification for any other state. If you are a student studying online with the intent of returning or moving to any state other than North Carolina, please explore the requirements for that state.
- Student Complaints: Students who are enrolled in a Wake Forest University School of Medicine course who have a complaint about a program, course or experience, should reach out to the Program Leader.
- Please visit U.S. Department of Education Professional Licensure for information about most licensed professions by states.
Relocation: Please be aware that students who relocate while enrolled at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine may become ineligible for Title IV funding or potentially be unable to complete their studies if they are moving to a country or state where Wake Forest University School of Medicine programs do not meet licensure or certification requirements. Prospective students should contact Student Affairs to discuss how relocation could alter their eligibility, while current students should contact their advisor if they are considering relocating during their course of study. If a current student relocates during their time of study they will be required to alert Student Records of the change in writing within 30 days of the relocation.
International Students: International students are advised to understand and be apprised of the rules, regulations, and requirements related to online distance education programs in their country of residence, particularly:
- If the country will recognize an online degree;
- Whether the program meets licensure or certification requirements in the country; and
- If the country charges any additional taxes, withholding or fees associated with online distance education programs.
International students considering an academic program that leads to a professional license should first confirm with the appropriate professional licensing board in their country of residence or the country where they intend to work as to whether an online degree awarded from Wake Forest University School of Medicine will be recognized when seeking licensure or certification.
Program Accreditation
Doctor of Medicine Program
The Doctor of Medicine program is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). The LCME determined during its February 2024 visit for the Doctor of Medicine program to continue full accreditation of the medical education program for an eight-year term. Graduates of the program are awarded the Doctor of Medicine degree. Information regarding filing a complaint with LCME.
Genetic Counseling Program
The Genetic Counseling Program is a graduate-level program that awards a Master of Science degree. This program is offered in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. The Genetic Counseling program was accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (7918 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 300, McLean, VA 22102, phone: (703) 506-7667) on December 7, 2020 as an Accredited New Program. This accreditation will be reviewed in 2024 at which time the application for Accredited Program will be determined.
Medical Physics Graduate Program
The Medical Physics Program is a graduate-level program that offers three separate pathways, a Master of Science degree, a PhD program, and a Graduate Certificate program. The Medical Physics program has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP) which is located at 1631 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Their phone number is 571-298-1239. These programs were accredited in 2023 and will be reviewed in 2025 at which time the application for Accredited Program will be determined. For students interested in pursuing American Board of Radiology (ABR) certification in Therapy or Diagnostic Physics, this program will place graduates in competitive standing for CAMPEP Accredited Residency positions.
Physician Assistant Program
The Physician Assistant Program is a graduate-level program that awards a Master of Medical Science (MMS) degree after 24 months of study. The Wake Forest PA Program is approved by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) for 64 students at our Winston-Salem campus and up to 32 students at our expanded campus at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. Accreditation for the Boone cohort was granted in September 2013, and the first students enrolled in June 2014. The Boone campus has also been approved by SACSCOC. Information regarding filing a complaint with ARC-PA. View the program's accreditation history through the linked download provided by ARC-PA.
- Important Program Policies
- Attrition Rates
- Graduation Rates
- PANCE Pass Rates
Nurse Anesthesia Program
The Nurse Anesthesia Program is a 36-month graduate-level program awarding a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. This program is currently on a 10-year accreditation by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs (10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906, Rosemont, IL 60018-5603; 224-275-9130) with “no progress required” in 2015. This is the maximum accreditation period possible, which is granted to few programs. This program has also been granted full accreditation by the International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists. The WFU Nurse Anesthesia program was the first program in the country, and only the second in the world to receive this level of international accreditation. Information regarding filing a complaint with COACRNA.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
The Doctor of Nursing Practice is a graduate-level program that awards a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The post-masters DNP program is offered in a distance format as a part-time, 2-year program with occasional in-person sessions.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Wake Forest University School of Medicine is pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.
The Licensure Division of the University of North Carolina System Office serves as the official state entity to receive complaints concerning post-secondary institutions that are authorized to operate in North Carolina. Information regarding filing a complaint may be found here.
Continuing Medical Education Accreditation
The Northwest Area Health Education Center (NW AHEC) and the Office of Continuing Medical Education (OCME) work collaboratively as part of Wake Forest University School of Medicine. The NW AHEC provides continuing education for a variety of health care professionals and is an approved continuing education provider for the following:
- NBCC
- North Carolina Nurses Association and an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation
Through our partnership with the NC AHEC, NW AHEC can provide additional credits. The NC AHEC is an approved provider for the following:
- Psychology Category A
- ASHA
- CHES/MCHES
- ACPE
- BOC
- PT
The OCME through the Wake Forest University Health Sciences is an accredited provider of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™. The OCME provides continuing medical education for physicians. On July 21, 2017 this institution was awarded Accreditation with Commendation status from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). This is a six-year award. In addition, other health disciplines may be able to use the AMA credit for license renewal. For more details, please check with individual licensing boards.
Graduate Medical Education/Residencies and Fellowships Accreditation
The following residency and fellowship programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) by a voluntary process of evaluation and review based on published accreditation standards. ACGME accreditation provides assurance that a sponsoring institution or program meets the quality standards (Institutional and Program Requirements) of the specialty or subspecialty practice(s) for which it prepares its graduates. ACGME accreditation is overseen by a review committee made up of volunteer specialty experts from the field.
All programs and sponsoring institutions undergo a full accreditation site visit every 10 years following a comprehensive self-study process, during which programs review their aims and conduct an analysis of strengths, areas for improvement, external opportunities and threats. They then must formulate and document plans for improvement.