Accreditation
Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer-review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION
Western Oregon University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.
Inquiries regarding an institution’s accredited status by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities should be directed to the Office of Academic Effectiveness, academiceffectiveness@wou.edu. Individuals may also contact:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities,
8060 165th Avenue N.E., Suite 100,
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 558‐4224
www.nwccu.org
Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities refers to the institution as a whole. Therefore, statements like “fully accredited” or “this program is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities” or “this degree is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities” are incorrect and should not be used.
ACCREDITATION UPDATE
Commendations:
The Commission commends Western Oregon University for:
1. The commitment of the faculty and staff to Western Oregon University’s mission as evidenced by the connection that faculty and staff have to the institution and their dedication to cooperation and collaboration to support student success, even in the face of multiple institutional challenges.
2. Its use of data to improve student achievement. In particular, the curricular alignment project enables students to streamline their path to graduation. This project illustrates the Institution’s commitment to equitable student success and was recognized with the NWCCU Beacon Award in 2022
Recommendations:
The Commission recommends that Western Oregon University:
1. Spring 2023 Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness – Continue its efforts to establish an ongoing and systematic evaluation and planning process that supports the demonstration of continuous improvement and to inform and refine its effectiveness, assign resources, and improve student learning and achievement objectives and measures. (2020 Standard(s) 1.B.1)
2. Spring 2023 Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness – Further development and the systematic use of effective enrollment, financial planning and financial management practices to ensure realistic development of financial resources to ensure short term financial health and long-term financial stability and sustainability. (2020 Standard(s) 2.E.2)
3. Spring 2023 Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness – Deploy current higher education best practices, including the effective use of technology, to ensure attainment of industry standard practices to achieve its organizational responsibilities and the integrity and continuity of its educational programs (2020 Standard(s) 2.F.3)
FUTURE EVALUATIONS
Ad Hoc Report with Visit Spring 2025
- Recommendation 1: Spring 2023 Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness
- Recommendation 3: Spring 2023 Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness
Mid-Cycle Review Spring 2026
Year 6 – Standard 2 – Policies, Regulations, and Financial Review Spring 2029
Year 7 – Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness Spring 2030
NWCCU Documents (Current accreditation cycle)
NWCCU Documents (2016-2023)
- Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness (Year 7) Peer-Evaluation Report
- Year Seven Mission Fulfillment and Institutional Effectiveness Self-Evaluation Report and Appendices
- Year Six Policies, Regulations and Financial Report (March 2022), Exhibits and Peer Evaluation
- Mid-Cycle Report (March 2019) including
- Updates to Recommendations 4, 6, and 7 as required by NWCCU
- Response to Recommendation 5 as required by NWCCU
- NWCCU Notification of Response
- Ad Hoc Report (September 2017)
- Year One Mission and Core Themes Report (March 2017) & Responses to Recommendations 1, 2, and 3 as required by NWCCU
- NWCCU Eligibility and Accreditation Standards
- NWCCU Reaffirmation of Accreditation with Recommendations (July 2016) (WOU login required)
- NWCCU Evaluation Committee Recommendation Report (May 2016) (WOU login required)
PROGRAM ACCREDITATION
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National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (CAEP) (last renewed 2023) accredits the College of Education as a unit for all of its educator programs
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The Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) (last renewed in 2021, without conditions) accredits primary licensure and add-on programs related to teacher preparation
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Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) (last renewed in 2017, due for review in 2024) accredits the MS in Rehabilitation Counseling program
- The Occupational Therapy Doctorate program has been approved for candidacy by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy (ACOTE)
DISTANCE EDUCATION STATE AUTHORIZATION
Western Oregon University is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) and is authorized to offer courses and programs within all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands via online, distance and/or out-of-state learning placements. For more information, visit our State Authorization information page.
