Lesley University was founded in 1909 and is recognized as a nonprofit organization under Massachusetts law and as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Lesley University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Many individual programs are also accredited or endorsed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and other organizations. See school-by-school accreditation information.
The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education has given Lesley University degree-granting authority for the following degrees: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor, Master, Master of Fine Arts in Visual Arts, and Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in the fields of professional education and related educational services, general education, human services, mental health, management and organizational behavior, Associate in education and human services, Doctor of Philosophy in Expressive Therapies, Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies, and Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling and Psychology.
Financial Statements
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has implemented legislation, specifically M.G.L. c. 69, s.31B, that requires each institution of higher education in Massachusetts to post on its website a copy of its audited financial statements along with a summary report of those statements.
In accordance with this requirement, here are copies of Lesley University's audited financial statements for the Fiscal Year 2024 (PDF), audited financial statements for the Fiscal Year 2023 (PDF), and the audited financial statements for the Fiscal Year 2022 (PDF)
Read the University’s summary report 2024 (PDF).
Read the University's summary report 2023 (PDF).
Read the University's summary report 2022 (PDF).
State Authorization
Lesley University is an approved SARA institution. As described by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, the SARA portal entity for Massachusetts, SARA is an acronym for the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, which is an interstate agreement that allows colleges and universities located in a SARA member state to offer online classes in other SARA member states without needing to obtain authorization to do so from each state individually. SARA consists of a national network of member states, districts, and territories that agree to comply with the rules, policies, and procedures set forth by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).
According to NC-SARA, membership in SARA includes 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and California is the only state that has not joined SARA.
Lesley University's distance education programs are offered to residents of California and are not subject to approval or exemption by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
Accreditation Information
Inquiries regarding Lesley’s accreditations and state authorization should be emailed to state.approvals@lesley.edu.