WASC accreditation gives peace of mind about a school's quality of education.
As one of six regional accrediting associations in the United States, The Western Association of Schools and Colleges provides accreditation assistance to schools in several western states, territories and countries. The WASC is comprised of three commissions, each serving different types of schools. Schools that are accredited by the WASC receive a stamp of approval regarding the school's quality of education offered.
Organization
Established in 1962, the WASC's mission is to promote the interests and quality of education offered in the western region. Upon its formation, the WASC voted unanimously to accredit schools that were previously accredited by the Association of American Universities, North Central Association. The three commissions that make up the WASC include the Accrediting Commission for Schools, the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities. Each commission operates under the WASC name and functions under one constitution. All WASC administrative offices are located in California.
Schools
The WASC's Accrediting Commission for Schools operates out of offices located in Temecula and Burlingame, California, and serves more than 4,000 schools located in California, Hawaii, the Pacific Islands and East Asia. The ACS accredits several types of schools including elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools, adult schools and vocational skill centers. To ensure the quality of its services, this commission is periodically reviewed by the U.S. Department of Education and is subject to review by the WASC's Corporate Board. 31 representatives from several areas of education, including school administrators and teachers, within the WASC's area comprise the ACS's accrediting team.
Community and Junior Colleges
Headquartered in Novato, California, the WASC's Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges provides accreditation services to associate's degree-granting institutions in California, Hawaii and the Pacific Basin. Authorized to operate by the U.S. Department of Education under the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, the ACCJC is comprised of 18 members who served three-year terms. ACCJC accreditation provides students, employers and profession-related licensing agencies with the assurance that a student's educational and training credentials are legitimate.
Colleges and Universities
The WASC's Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities operates out of Alameda, California, and provides accreditation services to colleges and universities that offer baccalaureate (bachelor's) degrees and higher. The ACSCU serves colleges and universities located in California, Hawaii, Guam and the Pacific Basin. Several prestigious universities have been accredited by the ACSCU, including Stanford University, the University of California-Berkeley, the University of Southern California and the University of Hawaii. To ensure the quality of its accreditation services, the ACSCU is periodically reviewed by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Tags: Accrediting Commission, accreditation services, California Hawaii, Community Junior, Community Junior Colleges, Junior Colleges, located California