About Accreditation
International University of Professional Studies is a registered nonprofit educational institution in good standing with the State of Hawaii, and has been serving learners worldwide for over three decades. Our commitment to educational excellence is unwavering, and we believe that education should be adaptive, student-centered, and responsive. We review our standards annually and are very proud of the time-tested educational model that we built.
We are required by law to state the following:
INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES (IUPS) IS NOT ACCREDITED BY AN ACCREDITING AGENCY RECOGNIZED BY THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF EDUCATION.
Note: In the United States, many licensing authorities require accredited degrees as the basis for eligibility for licensing. In some cases, accredited colleges may not accept for transfer courses and degrees completed at unaccredited colleges, and some employers may require an accredited degree as a basis for eligibility for employment.
We have thoughtfully chosen not to pursue traditional accreditation in order to:
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Maintain maximum flexibility in how we deliver and structure our programs.
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Preserve our focus on individual mentorship and integrative approaches.
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Keep tuition affordable and accessible.
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Avoid constraints that don’t align with our values or serve our students.
What This Means for You
✔ You Will Receive a Rigorous, Respected Education
Our graduates have gone on to publish, teach, coach, consult, and serve communities around the world. They do so with a deep foundation in self-knowledge, systems thinking, and transformative practice. Check out our testimonials page to read more.
What You Should Know:
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Accreditation does not guarantee quality by itself, but acts as one recognized validation mechanism among many.
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Licensing requirements vary by state and profession, but typically require an accredited degree. It is a student's responsibility to research their state’s requirements (especially if planning to become a clinical professional or a licensed practitioner).
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Some accredited universities may not accept transfer credits or degrees from unaccredited institutions. Check acceptability of transfer credits with any institution you might later attend.
Who Thrives at IUPS?
Our programs are ideal for:
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Independently-minded students seeking a flexible graduate education.
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Mid-career professionals seeking personal or spiritual growth.
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Practitioners in coaching, consulting, holistic healing, or organizational leadership.
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Anyone ready to embark on a deep, transformative learning journey outside of the traditional mold.
Admission to International University of Professional Studies (IUPS) and any of its sponsored programs is open to qualified individuals regardless of race, color, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, and educationally unrelated handicaps.
Still Have Questions?
We encourage you to reach out... we’re here to help!
📩 Contact us at university@iups.edu to schedule a consultation or learn how our programs align with your aspirations.
For more information about our choice to remain unaccredited, please see the IUPS Statement of Mission and Accreditation (PDF file)