The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is one of six regional associations in the United States that accredit public and private schools, colleges and universities.
The purpose of WASC is to ensure that an institution has the capacity (infrastructure, decision-making processes and resources) and educational effectiveness (ability to deliver curriculum) to sustain itself.
The WASC Steering Committee guides the accreditation process at CLU. WASC Accreditation is an ongoing process informed by three stages and documents:
- Proposal (2003, 2012)
- Capacity and Preparatory Review (2005, 2014)
- Educational Effectiveness Review (2007, 2015)
Following the 2007 Educational Effectiveness Review visit, California Lutheran University Earns WASC Re-Accreditation
Commission gives CLU high marks for faculty involvement and diversity programs
Leanne Neilson, Associate Provost, Graduate and Adult Programs and Accreditation, informed the California Lutheran University community on July 18, 2007 that “we completed the re-accreditation process and that the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Accrediting Commission reaffirmed our accreditation.”
In the final report, received by CLU on July 17, the commission commended the university for its continuous progress and commitment to building a comprehensive system of quality assurance and for the seriousness with which the university community was engaged in the entire accreditation review process.
“The team further found that issues of diversity, quality of graduate programs and the assessment of student learning have been addressed in a meaningful and in-depth manner by CLU,” wrote Ralph A. Wolff, president and executive director of WASC. The commission also commended the university’s effort to improve faculty compensation and its creation of a Center for Equality and Justice. The visiting team’s report highlighted the Festival of Scholars program, where students present their scholarship to the CLU community, as “most impressive.” The commission’s praise confirms our conviction that we are providing our students with a high-quality education.
The WASC Accrediting Commission scheduled the next comprehensive visit for spring 2014. The University Community is able to access the Educational Effectiveness Report, the WASC Visiting Team Report, and the WASC Commission Reaccreditation Letter on the CLU Portal.
Associate Provost Neilson expressed thanks to faculty, staff, and administration for their involvement and commitment to this process!
WASC Task Force on Student Success
