Charter and Accreditation
Charter
LAU is chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York. The University of the State of New York is the sole entity authorized by the State of New York to incorporate higher education institutions and to authorize them to confer degrees.
In 1950, when LAU was known as Beirut College for Women, it was granted a provisional charter by the Board of Regents and an absolute charter five years later. Since then, the charter has been amended several times in response to the institution’s growth.
For more information about the University of the State of New York please visit the New York State Education Department website.
Institutional Accreditation
LAU is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (CIHE–NEASC). Accreditation status confirms that the university meets the specific standards set by the accrediting agency. More information about the meaning and process of accreditation can be found on the NEASC website. The oldest regional accrediting association in the United States, NEASC actively developes and regularly reviews standards for educational institutions of all levels. LAU was granted accreditation for a five-year period as of November 2009. The stages LAU has completed since starting the rigorous process in fall 2005 have demonstrated the university’s commitment to academic quality. More information and documentation are available.