Accreditation



In the United States and Canada, programmatic accreditation is a non-governmental, peer-review process that assures the quality of the postsecondary education students receive. Academic programs volunteer to undergo this comprehensive review periodically to determine if specific criteria and standards are being met. Accreditation is not a ranking system. It is an assurance that a degree program meets standards of educational excellence established by the profession.

SAF is responsible for the accreditation of degree-granting programs in forestry, urban forestry, natural resources and ecosystem management, and forest technology. Many academic programs across the country offer a variety of options or curriculum choices within a degree program - not all are accredited. The listings below categorize accredited curricular options within degree programs according to the standard under which they are accredited and candidate curricular options under the standard for which they have candidacy status.

In alignment with the Mission Statement, all of SAF's programs adhere to the Code of Ethics. Information about how to file a grievance can be found here. Please see the SAF 2024 Accreditation Handbook for procedures to file a complaint against an SAF Accredited Program. 

Accredited and Candidate Degree Programs

Further SAF Accreditation Guidance

We recognize these are extraordinary times, and SAF accredited programs are having to modify normal practices to address institutional and governmental guidelines and directives while striving to achieve learning outcomes and keeping students, faculty, and staff safe. Policy statements from the SAF Education Policy Review Committee (EPRC) can be accessed below.

If you have specific questions about your accredited degree programs, please contact the SAF Accreditation Manager.
 

College Guide

The SAF College Guide features "Young Faces in Forestry", which explores career paths in the forestry and natural resources profession with a welcome message from the SAF CEO, president, and vice president. The College Guide highlights feature articles by students and early-career professionals, SAF student membership benefits, and a directory of SAF Accredited undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Plus, check out featured degree programs that share what makes their college or university unique!

Read the SAF College Guide