Accreditation status with Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
From its very beginning, the board of Providence Christian College instructed the faculty and staff to seek accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), its regional accrediting agency. Accreditation brings academic recognition important to students who are applying to graduate programs. In addition, candidacy for accreditation with an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education would allow students to qualify for state and federal loans and grants. Currently these loans and grants are limited to those privately funded by the college.
The first step was to submit documentation on 23 different criteria for a formal Eligibility Review. In December 2005 this step was completed, and the college was given permission to proceed toward step two, Candidacy.
Candidacy is a two stage process requiring a self-study focusing on a Capacity and Preparatory Review and a visit by a WASC site visit team. This first report was submitted on December 6, 2006, and the WASC team visited the campus on February 21and 22, 2007. After this visit the college immediately began work on the recommendations of the site visit team and received permission in May 2007 to move toward the Educational Effectiveness Review, step two of the candidacy process. This review was submitted to WASC on July 7, 2008, and the site visit team was on campus from October 1-3, 2008.
The report received from the visiting team was very positive, and on February 19, 2009 the president and ALO met with the WASC Commission panel to answer questions relating to the candidacy application of the college. The Commission made the determination to grant candidacy status to the Providence Christian College.
The Commission action letter dated February 26, 2009 included this official statement:
“Providence Christian College has been recognized as a Candidate for Accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, #100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510.748.9001. This status is a preliminary affiliation with the Commission, awarded for a maximum period of four years. Candidacy is an indication that the institution is progressing toward Accreditation. Candidacy is not Accreditation and does not ensure eventual Accreditation.”
In addition, the letter included commendations and recommendations that the college must address in the next cycle of reports and visits necessary for the next stage in the accreditation process, Initial Accreditation. Candidacy status allowed the college to apply for Title IV status with the federal government allowing our students to apply for federal loans and grants. Candidacy and Title IV status also mean that students may now qualify for state and private scholarships, loans, and grants previously unavailable to them.
The college is working toward Initial Accreditation. A site visit team from WASC concluded its Initial Accreditation Capacity and Preparatory Review site visit October 6-8, 2010, and representatives of the college met with the WASC Commission on February 17, 2011. The Commission’s letter of March 7, 2011 said the following: “The commission acted to receive the Capacity and Preparatory Review and to continue the candidacy of Providence Christian College”. They also are allowing the college to proceed with the scheduled Educational Effectiveness Review site visit in Fall 2012. This will be followed by a meeting with the WASC Commission in February 2013 for their decision on granting Initial Accreditation.
Please pray for the Lord’s guidance and blessing on the accreditation process that is so important for the growth and development of Providence Christian College and its students.
Please address any questions to you may have to Mary Ellen Godfrey, Associate Academic Dean and Accreditation Liaison Officer by e-mail (godfrey@providencecc.net) or phone (626-696-4002).