Southwestern Christian University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. It enjoys the full endorsement of the General Department of Church Education Ministries of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church as an approved educational entity for training ministers, missionaries, and Christian workers to serve the church around the world. SCU is approved by the U.S. Department of Justice for the admission of international students and is approved by the State Accrediting Agency of Oklahoma for the admission of eligible veterans.

SCU is also approved by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) to offer Bible and theology courses for teacher certification for Christian day schools.