Accreditations and Affiliations

Since its founding, Converse has become one of the leading colleges for women in the South. At the time of its admission in 1912, Converse was the only college in South Carolina that held membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Admitted to the Association of American Colleges and Universities in 1915, Converse is a founding member of that organization.

Converse College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award degrees at Level IV (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Master of Liberal Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education, Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and Educational Specialist).

Converse was also the first South Carolina college with graduates admitted to membership in the American Association of University Women, as well as the first to have a chapter of Mortar Board, the national honor society for seniors. It is a member of the Southern University Conference, Women’s College Coalition, the Council of Independent Colleges, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, the American Council on Education and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. Converse is also a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, competing at the Division II level, and is a member of Conference Carolinas.

The Petrie School of Music is a charter member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The College has attained NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) accreditation, with provisions, for all professional education programs. In addition, the Converse program for teachers of the deaf is accredited by the Council on Education of the Deaf and the program for marriage and family therapy is accredited by COAMFTE (Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education). The documents relating to Converse College accreditation are on permanent reserve in the Mickel Library and are available for public review during the College’s normal operating hours.

Converse has many student chapters of national professional and honor organizations.