.edu Eligibility

Having an .edu on your web site can help in marketing but it is not absolutely necessary to conduct the education business. Contact International Education Accreditation Authority (IEAA).

Only postsecondary institutions that are institutionally accredited by an agency on the U.S. Department of Education's list of Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies may obtain an Internet name in the .edu domain. These include both "Regional Institutional Accrediting Agencies" and "National Institutional and Specialized Accrediting Bodies" recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Note that institutional accreditation is required for .edu eligibility; program accreditation is not sufficient. Not all agencies accredit institutions. Some accredit only institutions, some accredit only programs and others accredit both institutions and programs.

It is also important to note that, while every effort is made to keep the EDUCAUSE list up-to-date, the U.S. Department of Education's list of Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies is the only official comprehensive list of agencies.


Regional Institutional Accrediting Agencies

New England Association of Schools and Colleges, http://www.neasc.org/

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, http://www.msche.org/

North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, http://www.ncacasi.org/

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, http://www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org/

Norwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, http://www.nwccu.org/

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, http://www.sacs.org/

Wes tern Association of Schools and Colleges, http://www.wascweb.org/

National Institutional and Specialized Accrediting Bodies that Accredit Institutions

Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, http://www.acaom.org/

Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, http://www.abhes.org/

Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, http://www.accsct.org/

Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training, http://www.accet.org/

Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges & Schools, http://www.acics.org/

American Academy for Liberal Education, http://www.aale.org/

American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, http://www.abanet.org/legaled/

American Board of Funeral Service Education, Committee on Accreditation, http://www.abfse.org/

American Osteopathic Association, Bureau of Professional Education, http://www.aoa-net.org/

American Podiatric Medical Association, Council on Podiatric Medical Education, http://www.apma.org/

Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc., Accreditation Commission, http://www.acpe.edu/

Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools, Accreditation Commission

Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, Commission on Accrediting, http://www.ats.edu/

Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation, http://www.comta.org/

Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, http://www.aana.com/

Council on Occupational Education, http://www.council.org/

Distance Education and Training Council, Accrediting Commission , http://www.detc.org/

Midwifery Education Accreditation Council, http://www.meacschools.org/

Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education, Commission on Accreditation, http://www.macte.org/

National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences, http://www.naccas.org/

National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation, http://www.arts-accredit.org/

National Association of Schools of Dance, Commission on Accreditation, http://www.arts-accredit.org/

National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation, Commission on Non-Degree-Granting Accreditation, Commission on Community/Junior College Accreditation, http://www.arts-accredit.org/

National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation, http://www.arts-accredit.org/

New York Board of Regents, Commissioner of Education, http://www.nysed.gov/

The Association for Biblical Higher Education, http://abhe.gospelcom.net/

The Council on Chiropractic Education, Commission on Accreditation , http://www.cce-usa.org/

Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission, http://www.tracs.org/


Changes to this policy

The policies that govern .edu domain management are reviewed periodically by a Policy Board. The Policy Board can recommend changes in .edu policy for acceptance by the U.S. Department of Commerce. To suggest policy changes, or to submit comments on policy changes suggested by others, go to the EDUCAUSE .edu Policy Comment Forum.

Why do some institutions that do not meet the eligibility criteria have .edu domain names?

According to the Cooperative Agreement between EDUCAUSE and the U.S. Department of Commerce, all .edu names in existence as of October 29, 2001, are "grandfathered.” This means that everyone who already had an .edu name by that date (October 29, 2001), regardless of current or past eligibility requirements, is allowed to keep those .edu names.

  • What is the .edu domain?

The .edu domain is one of the seven original top-level subdivisions of the Internet Domain Name System (DNS). The .edu domain is intended for accredited post-secondary educational U.S. institutions. It is managed under the authority of the United States Department of Commerce.

  • What is EDUCAUSE?

EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. Membership is open to institutions of higher education, corporations serving the higher education information technology market, and other related associations and organizations. Resources include professional development activities; print and electronic publications, including books, monographs, and the magazines EDUCAUSE Quarterly and EDUCAUSE Review; strategic policy advocacy; teaching and learning initiatives; applied research; special interest collaborative communities; awards for leadership and exemplary practices; and extensive online information services. The current membership comprises more than 1,900 colleges, universities and educational organizations, including 200 corporations, with 15,000 active members. EDUCAUSE has offices in Boulder, CO, and Washington, D.C.

  • What are the eligibility requirements for obtaining a name in the .edu domain?

Eligibility for an .edu domain name is limited to postsecondary institutions that are institutionally accredited, i.e., the entire institution and not just particular programs, by agencies on the U.S. Department of Education's list of Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies. These include both "Regional Institutional Accrediting Agencies" and "National Institutional and Specialized Accrediting Bodies" recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Note that institutional accreditation is required for .edu eligibility; program accreditation is not sufficient. Not all agencies accredit institutions. Some accredit only institutions, some accredit only programs and others accredit both institutions and programs. For accrediting agencies that accredit both institutions and programs, see the "Title IV Note" on the Department of Education Web site. It is also important to note that, while every effort is made to keep the EDUCAUSE list up-to-date, the U.S. Department of Education's list of Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies is the only official comprehensive list of agencies.

  • How does an institution apply for a name in the .edu domain?

Follow the procedures on the Request a New Domain page.

  • Is there a cost to have a name in the .edu domain?

EDUCAUSE is not currently charging a fee to applicants and name holders in the .edu domain. Under the terms of the cooperative agreement with the Department of Commerce, EDUCAUSE reserves the right to charge a nominal fee in the future on a cost-recovery basis. Any fees must be approved by the Department of Commerce.

  • What is the role of the U.S. Department of Commerce in the management of the .edu domain?

The Department of Commerce retains final authority over the membership and operations of the .edu domain. The cooperative agreement with EDUCAUSE requires the approval of both parties for substantive changes.

  • What is the term of the cooperative agreement between EDUCAUSE and the Department of Commerce?

The initial term of agreement is five years with the possibility of renewal indefinitely based on satisfactory performance.

  • How can the policies governing management of the .edu domain are changed?

As specified in the cooperative agreement between EDUCAUSE and the U.S. Department of Commerce, policies will be reviewed periodically by a Policy Board. The Policy Board has the authority to recommend changes to the Department of Commerce for incorporation by amendment into the cooperative agreement with EDUCAUSE. To suggest policy changes or to comment on policy changes suggested by others, go to the EDUCAUSE .edu Policy Comment Forum.

  • I understand that some recent changes in Internet rules may make it easier for someone to "hijack" my .edu domain name. Is this true?

No. The changes you've heard about ICANN transfer policy do not affect the .edu domain. These changes were put in place by ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) to make it easier for a domain name holder to transfer that name from one Internet Registrar to another. In the case of .edu names, first, there is only on Registrar, EDUCAUSE, and, second, the .edu domain is not subject to ICANN regulations.


All procedure for the .edu domain remains unchanged and these procedures continue to prevent unauthorized updates to .edu registrations.