Carolina University is accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS), which can be contacted by phone at 434-525-9539 or by mail at 15935 Forest Road, Forest, VA 24551. TRACS is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).  CU was chartered as an educational institution by the State of North Carolina in 1947. CU is recognized by all appropriate federal agencies, such as the United States Department of Education (USDE), and the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), allowing us to receive Title IV funding and prepare military chaplains. Additionally, CU is a member of the Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrar and Admissions Officers (CACROA) and of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). CU is approved by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

Degree programs of study offered by Carolina University have been declared exempt from the requirements for licensure under provisions of North Carolina General Statutes (G.S.) 116- 15(c). Exemption from licensure is not based upon any assessment of program quality under established licensing standards.