Western Association of Schools and Colleges
 | This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. (April 2019) |
| File:Western Association of Schools and Colleges logo.png | |
 WASC operational area | |
| Abbreviation | WASC |
|---|---|
| Legal status | Association |
| Purpose | Educational accreditation |
| Headquarters | Burlingame, California Alameda, California Novato, California |
Region served | California, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Northern Marianas Islands, Palau, Tokyo |
| Affiliations | CHEA, US Department of Education |
| Website | ACS WASC ACCJC WSCUC |
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) was an organization that provided accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in California and Hawaii, the territories of Guam, American Samoa and Northern Marianas Islands, in addition to the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, the Pacific Rim, and East Asia.
The three organizations that were part of WASC are now three separate organizations that share the WASC acronym as part of their name: the Accrediting Commission for Schools (ACS WASC), the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), and the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Accrediting Commission for Schools
The Accrediting Commission for Schools (ACS WASC) [1] accredits schools below the college level. Included are elementary, junior high, middle, high and adult schools, whether public, private, or church-related.
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)[2] evaluates and accredits public and private postsecondary institutions that offer two-year education programs and award the associate degree.
The ACCJC's mission is to help member institutions "to advance educational quality and student learning and achievement. This collaboration fosters institutional excellence and continuous improvement through innovation, self-analysis, peer review, and application of standards."[3]
WASC Senior College and University Commission
The WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) is a regional accrediting agency serving a diverse membership of public and private higher education institutions throughout California, Hawaii, and the Pacific, as well as a limited number of institutions outside the U.S. Jamienne S. Studley serves as president and CEO of the organization.
Through its work of peer review, based on standards agreed to by the membership, the Commission encourages continuous institutional improvement and assures the membership and its constituencies, including the public, that accredited institutions are fulfilling their missions in service to their students and the public good. WSCUC is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as certifying institutional eligibility for federal funding in a number of programs, including student access to federal financial aid.[4]
See also
- Council for Higher Education Accreditation
- List of recognized accreditation associations of higher learning
- United States Department of Education
References
- ^ "Western Association of Schools & Colleges - WASC ACS - Welcome". Acswasc.org. June 9, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges | Western Association of Schools and Colleges". Accjc.org. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
- ^ "About Us - ACCJC". accjc.org. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
- ^ "About Us - WASC Senior College and University Commission". www.wscuc.org. Retrieved April 19, 2018.