Colleges, university, and programs assure quality to the students and public through the accreditation process. Holding an accredited status informs the public that an institution or program meets the minimal standards in areas such as faculty, curriculum, student services, and libraries. Accreditation also ensures that the institution is fiscally responsible and stable.

Organizations that are responsible for accreditation have a cycle in which institutions must operate. Being accredited means that institutions and programs must first be initially accredited and then follow a periodic review cycle to continue accreditation. Accreditation is not indefinite.

Coastal Carolina University is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This is the regional body for the accreditation of higher education for the southern states. Regional accreditation ensures that our institution has a purpose which is appropriate to higher education and has the necessary resources, programs, and services sufficient to achieve and maintain that purpose.