National Associations

Grand Canyon University is a member of several national associations to promote the highest standards in education and sports. These associations speak to our commitment of providing a quality education and adhering to the principles of athletic competition.


General Admissions and Operations Associations

GCU is a member of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers whose mission is to “serve and advance higher education by providing leadership in academic and enrollment services.”

GCU's membership in ACHA unlocks knowledge that enriches the campuses’ health and wellness services, professional development and efforts toward creating a culture of wellness on campus.

GCU is a member of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, a national association whose mission is “advancing the democratic purposes of higher education by promoting equity, innovation and excellence in liberal education.”

GCU Residence Life is a member of ACUHO-I, which serves a global membership of campus housing professionals from institutions of all types and sizes. ACUHO-I members build solutions in collaboration with a wide network of peers, allied organizations and corporate members who provide diverse expertise, products and services that enhance the delivery of on-campus housing and promote student well-being.

GCU is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, whose mission is to empower individuals and organizations to practice ethical fundraising through professional education, networking, research and advocacy.

GCU is a member of ASCA, which seeks to educate, develop and support student-centered conduct professionals. ASCA also aims to foster the development and enforcement of standards of conduct and conflict resolution for students.

GCU is a member of ACSD, which equips and challenges faith-based colleges and universities in the areas of faithfulness, learning, excellence, innovation, inclusivity and relationships. It continually produces and delivers relevant resources that impact its members.

GCU Student Care is a member of AUCCCD, which is an international organization that fosters director development and success in the area of collegiate mental health.

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GCU is a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, a national association committed to promoting academic quality through accreditation. For more information about GCU’s relation with CHEA and other accrediting bodies, view our accreditation page.

GCU is a member of NABITA, which is an organization that is committed to providing education, development and support to professionals dedicated to making their schools and workplaces safer through caring prevention and intervention.

As a SAN member, GCU receives important interstate compliance support to manage Federal compliance, complement institutional state approvals through reciprocity (SARA) and provide continued support in attaining state institutional approval through traditional individual state-by-state processes.

GCU is a member of the WCET, which is a national, member-based organization committed to improving the quality of technology-enhanced learning programs.

College/Program Associations

GCU is a member of AAAHC, which has been a frontrunner in setting the benchmark for quality in ambulatory healthcare. Its commitment to transforming healthcare is evident in its evidence-based standards, which are tailored to meet the needs of a diverse range of ambulatory services.

GCU is a member of AZTA, which promotes and enhances athletic training as an allied health profession in its efforts and ability to service the overall healthcare needs of the athletic population in cooperation with other organizations and healthcare professions.

GCU is a member of BOC, whose vision is to lead credentialing excellence globally.

GCU is a member of NACUBO, an organization providing leadership and sector wide guidance on accounting, finance and tax issues in higher education.

GCU is a member of NATA, whose mission is to represent, engage and foster the continued growth and development of the athletic training profession and athletic trainers as unique healthcare providers.

GCU is a member of Varsity Vocals; the home of a cappella since 1995. It gives singers in high school, college and beyond the opportunity to interact, compete, learn and receive feedback from the pros while performing in fantastic venues around the globe.

Man in business attire smiling while standing in hallway

Athletic Associations

Bowling, Baseball and Basketball Associations

GCU is a member of the Collegiate Club Championships, which offer a championship-level event for club programs. Teams qualify for the Collegiate Club Championships based on their ranking in the collegebowling.bowl.com Power Rankings. The top 24 men’s and top 16 women’s teams, who are certified as official club programs, will qualify for the Collegiate Club Championships.

GCU is a member of USBC, which is the national governing body for bowling and a membership organization that provides standardized rules, regulations and benefits.

GCU is a member of NCBA, which is the only national governing body for collegiate club baseball. It provides collegiate student-athletes with the opportunity to play competitive, organized college baseball and continually improves this experience for all participants.

GCU is a member of NCSA, the fastest-growing intercollegiate club softball league in the U.S. It provides collegiate student-athletes with the opportunity to play competitive, organized college softball and continually improves this experience for all participants.

GCU is a member of ACBL, which features some of the top club and developmental men’s basketball teams from around the state of Arizona.

GCU is a member of AWBL, which features some of the top club and developmental women’s basketball teams from around the state of Arizona. All games are played at GCU’s Canyon Activities Center.

GCU is a member of NCBBA, which provides collegiate student-athletes with the opportunity to play competitive, organized college basketball and continually improves this experience for all participants.

Woman GCU basketball player during intramural basketball game

Hockey and Roller Hockey Associations

GCU is a member of ACHA, which is the national association for non-NCAA collegiate hockey throughout the U.S. It provides a structure, regulates operations and promotes the sport of hockey nationwide. The primary mission of the ACHA is to support the growth of collegiate hockey while emphasizing academic performance, personal development and opportunities for regional, national and international competition.

GCU is a member of NCRHA, the governing body of collegiate roller hockey in the U.S. The policies by which the NCRHA will be governed are based upon the goal of a nationally recognized and regionally organized collegiate roller hockey structure and the best interests of the participants of collegiate roller hockey.

GCU is a member of WCHL, which was formed in 2013 by Arizona, Arizona State, Central Oklahoma, Colorado, Colorado State and Oklahoma.

GCU is a member of WCRHL, which houses 14 different teams from 11 different colleges and universities across Arizona and California in four different division levels.

GCU is a member of WWCHL, which is home to premier women’s ACHA teams along the West Coast and Arizona.

Team of hockey players in GCU uniform at hockey game

Lacrosse and Rugby Associations

GCU is a member of CRAA, which is comprised of the divisions within men’s and women’s collegiate rugby, including Men’s D1A and Women’s D1 Elite and Men’s D1AA, Women’s D1 and Women’s D2. CRAA is committed to creating the best possible experience for student-athletes, keeping commercial resources in the collegiate game, and creating experiences for members to engage their academic institutions and alumni.

GCU is a member of MCLA, which provides a quality national intercollegiate lacrosse experience. The association provides a governing structure similar to the NCAA, consisting of eligibility rules, national awards, polls and championship tournaments.

GCU is a member of SLC, which now consists of seven Division I teams, 14 Division II and two Division III teams, representing Arizona, Southern Nevada and Southern California. The Conference tournament awards a Division I and II champion who receives an automatic qualification to the MCLA National Championships.

GCU is a member of USA Rugby, the national governing body for the sport of rugby union in the U.S. Its role is to achieve and maintain high levels of quality in all aspects of rugby. USA Rugby is responsible for the promotion and development of the sport in the U.S., and promotion of U.S. international participation.

GCU is a member of the Western Women's Lacrosse League, an association of collegiate club teams in Arizona, California and Nevada using student-athlete eligibility rules. A championship tournament at the end of the season determines its Division I and Division II champions. The winner of each division championship earns an automatic qualifier to the WCLA National Championship Tournament held annually in May.

GCU is a member of WCLA, whose mission is to promote the growth of women's lacrosse nationwide. Specifically, the WCLA strives to provide an infrastructure in which collegiate clubs will compete and eventually crown a national champion.

Rugby club player protecting ball during game

Pickleball, Roundnet, Spikeball and Tennis Associations

GCU is a member of DUPR, a global rating system designed specifically for pickleball players of all levels. The system helps to provide a unique and accurate measure of a player's skill level, irrespective of age, gender or location.

GCU is a member of NCPA, whose primary objective is to further the growth of pickleball within college communities, valuing competition, community and culture. Each year, the association runs a collegiate tour featuring a series of regional championships, providing universities with the opportunity to qualify for the NCPA National Championship, showcasing the finest college talent from across the nation.

GCU is a member of USAR, an organization advocating for the growth of roundnet. It creates awareness for the sport, fosters player advancement, supports roundnet athletes, develops inclusive roundnet communities and represents the U.S. on the global stage.

GCU is a member of SRA, which operates a national event series bringing together players from near and far. The Spikeball Tour Series is the place to meet new friends and make a name for yourself on the roundnet scene.

GCU is a member of USTA, the national governing body for tennis in the U.S. A nonprofit organization with more than 700,000 members, it invests 100% of its proceeds to promote and develop the growth of tennis, from the grass-roots to the professional levels.

Woman playing pickleball on GCU campus

Soccer Associations

GCU is a member of SCSL, which consists of teams in Arizona and New Mexico. The men’s league has a championship and open division, which affects the strength of the schedule for regional championship participation.

GCU is a member of the Southwest Soccer Association, home to the Women’s Collegiate Club Soccer League of Arizona, which brings nine teams from four different universities together to compete for a competitive title. Winners advance to the NIRSA Southwest Regionals.

Three men playing intramural soccer game at GCU

Specialty Associations

GCU is a member of the City of Scottsdale, which offers four seasons of 8-on-8 adult flag football.

GCU is a member of CrossFit, which is a fitness program that produces measurable outcomes through lifestyle changes, centered on training and nutrition. Workouts consist of constantly varied, high-intensity, functional movements, and are most fun and effective among friends at a local CrossFit gym.

GCU is a member of CDGA, which is the official home of college disc golf and the Collegiate National Championship.

GCU is a member of CSC, which is a 4,100+ member national association for strategic, creative and digital communicators across intercollegiate athletics in the U.S. and Canada. CSC became an affiliated partner with the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics in December 2008.

GCU is a member of NAIGC, whose purpose is to serve and expand opportunities for all levels of collegiate and adult gymnastics by providing structure for competition on local, regional and national levels. NAIGC facilitates communication, building a community of support and camaraderie that encourages sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork and fun.

GCU Athletics sponsors 21 intercollegiate sport programs that operate under the guidelines of the NCAA Division I governance structure for eligibility to participate. GCU sports programs are members of the Western Athletic Conference with federated membership with the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation in the sport of men's volleyball and independent membership for beach volleyball.

GCU is a member of NCCGA, which is the governing body for collegiate club golf. NCCGA helps colleges start, maintain and facilitate club golf tournaments regionally and nationally.

GCU is a member of NCWA, which has over 160 schools represented within the league. With nearly three decades now of competition, there have been some impressive NCWA alumni who continue on with their mat careers.

GCU is a member of NIRSA, a leader in higher education and an advocate for the advancement of recreation, sport and well-being.

GCU is a member of Powerlifting America, the recognized U.S. member federation affiliate to the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF). Powerlifting America directs five national championships annually, along with a number of regional and local competitions.

GCU is a member of USA Cheer, which exists to serve the cheer community, including club cheering (all-star), youth recreational cheer, traditional school-based cheer programs and the growing sport of STUNT. USA Cheer has three primary objectives: to promote safety and safety education for cheer in the U.S., help grow and develop interest and participation in cheer throughout the U.S. and represent the U.S. in international cheer competitions.

GCU is a member of USA Archery, which provides the necessary resources to foster strong athlete participation, competition and training in the sport of archery. Membership in USA Archery is open to everyone involved in all disciplines of archery including target, field and 3-D.

GCU is a member of USAT, the national governing body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the U.S.

GCU is a member of USAU, whose mission is to advance the sport of ultimate in the U.S. by enhancing and promoting character, community and competition. Its vision is that ultimate is widely known, played and respected in the U.S. as a sport that inspires athletic excellence and integrity among participants and fans.

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sponsored intercollegiate sport programs under NCAA guidelines

GCU students posing for picture next to bike at club triathlon

Watersports Associations

GCU is a member of CCS, the collective organization that unifies college club swim programs across the country. The organization provides the rules, calendar of events, results database and communications across all registered clubs. It’s run by an advisory board made up of CCS swimmers and backed by U.S. Masters Swimming.

GCU is a member of CWPA, a non-profit athletic conference comprised of four-year colleges and universities. The CWPA is comprised of both varsity and collegiate club programs that compete for a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) or National Collegiate Club Championship (NCCC).

Volleyball Associations

GCU is a member of NCVF, a non-profit corporation formed in cooperation with collegiate club volleyball commissioners and representatives from throughout the U.S. The primary purpose of the organization is to promote health, education and leadership for male and female collegiate club volleyball student athletes.

GCU is a member of SCCVL, which is designed to provide opportunities and resources for college club teams locally, regionally and nationally. Its goal is to make the college club volleyball experience one the student-athletes won't ever forget, while building a community of supportive, encouraging and thriving individuals who seek to support the greater good.

Female volleyball player at GCU game