The University of Austin is one step closer to achieving accreditation after The Middle States Commission on Higher Education announced Monday it had granted UATX candidate status.

UATX, a private institution founded by conservative political figures, welcomed its first class last year and has been granted approval from the state of Texas to award degrees but is still seeking accreditation, which is a lengthy process that can take years. UATX will still need to graduate its first class and submit additional paperwork before it wins recognition, according to MSCHE standards.

Based on current standards, the earliest UATX would be accredited is late 2028. However, the process could drag on even longer; University of Austin officials noted on a frequently asked questions page that they expect “the first accreditation cycle to have been completed between 2028 and 2031.”