Institutional Accreditation

Wartburg College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC). As part of maintaining its accreditation, Wartburg’s programs and processes are periodically reviewed to ensure institutional quality and integrity. Wartburg’s last review was in 2017 and its next review will be in 2026-27. Learn about the 2026 reaffirmation of accreditation process.

Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street
Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411
Phone: 800.621.7440
312.263.0256
Fax: 312.263.7462
www.hlcommission.org
info@hlcommission.org

Professional Licensure Disclosures

Wartburg College offers academic programs leading to degrees in a number of fields for which professional practice requires license or certification by state, local, or professional boards. The curricula in these programs have been designed to be consistent with recognized professional and national standards, as well as the standards set forth by the Iowa licensing boards governing each of these disciplines. However, the requirements of the state boards and licensing agencies vary greatly over time and from state to state. Therefore, Wartburg College makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee that successful completion of the degree or certificate program will permit or guarantee that a state board or licensing agency will accept a graduate’s application for licensure. No statement made at any time by any member of the Wartburg faculty or any other representative of Wartburg shall be deemed to be such a representation, warranty, or commitment.

Obtaining and Reviewing Accreditation and/or Licensure Documentation
To request additional information related to Wartburg College’s accreditation, and to obtain or review documents describing accreditation, approval, or licensing, please contact Heidi Keller at heidi.keller@wartburg.edu or 319-352-8284.

Program Accreditation & Licensure

NC-SARA

Wartburg College has been approved by the state of Iowa to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). NC-SARA is an agreement among member states that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. If you relocate during the course of the program to another state, it may impact whether you can continue in the program and meet eligibility requirements. If you are considering relocating, you should contact the individual department to determine how it will impact licensing.

The Wartburg College academic programs listed below are designed to prepare students for a career in a licensed profession upon completion of the program. A professional license is typically required for graduates of these programs to practice and/or gain employment in these fields. If you are considering applying to one of these programs, please select the program tab for more information regarding educational requirements for professional licensure in the U.S. states, commonwealths, and territories.

Music Therapy

Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. Wartburg College is an accredited, institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music and the American Music Therapy Association. Students can complete a Bachelor of Music Education/Music Therapy (BME-MT) degree, which leads to licensure in K-12 music education and becoming a Board Certified Music Therapist or The Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy (BM-MT) in the state of Iowa, which includes the coursework in social work and opportunities for minor concentrations. Click here to view licensure reciprocity guidelines for all U.S. states and territories.

Teacher Education

Degree or endorsement programs offered by the Wartburg College Education Department prepare students for licensure as educators and are designed to meet the licensure standards set by the Iowa Department of Education. Following Federal government guidelines, the Wartburg College Education Department collaborated with other Iowa Teacher Preparation Programs in 2024 to determine the reciprocity of Iowa licensure with requirements from other states and territories. For more information about this process, as well as specific reciprocity guidelines for out-of-state candidates, please visit the Education Department page.

Optional Professional Licensure Programs

An optional professional certification/designation is not a requirement for graduates to be employed in some fields. The Wartburg College academic programs that can lead to optional professional certification/designation are listed below. If you are considering applying to one of these programs, please select the program tab for more information regarding optional professional certifications/designations.

Social Work

There are three different types of social work licenses in Iowa: the Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW), the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), and the Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW). Note that people with bachelor’s degrees in social work can be hired for social work jobs in Iowa and they are not required to be licensed. However, becoming licensed as a bachelor’s-level social worker may help enhance your application for social work positions. Additional information on licensing and educational paths can be found on this Social Work Guide to Licensure website. Click here to view licensure reciprocity guidelines for all U.S. states and territories.