University Accreditation
Supporting Excellence in Higher Education Through Accreditation
Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC, “the Commission”), a regional accrediting agency that serves 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. 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.
The Commission 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.
Reaffirming Accreditation
Accreditation is periodically reaffirmed through a comprehensive review process that includes an institutional self-study that results in a comprehensive Institutional Report, an external review by colleagues from peer institutions, and a site visit at least once every 10 years.
Following their April 22, 2022, visit, WSCUC issued the sanction of Warning, directing APU to further support its operations and educational objectives through greater improvement in human, physical, fiscal, technological, and information resources, and through more effective organizational and decision-making structures. These will lead to achievement of institutional purposes and educational objectives and create a high-quality environment for learning. Under the guidance of President Adam J. Morris, PhD, and the accreditation task force, APU has addressed the concerns identified in the letter from WSCUC in preparation for the March 2024 Special Visit. Through dedication, collaboration, and innovation, APU will chart a successful course forward.
Additional Accreditations
In addition to WSCUC accreditation, APU holds 14 other discipline-focused accreditations across its schools and colleges.
APU has 14 professional accreditations (PDF), which are listed below:
- The Art and Design programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
- Azusa Pacific Seminary programs are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
- The BS in Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
- The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
- The Doctor of Psychology program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).
- The School of Business and Management is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
- The School of Music programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
- The School of Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).
- The School Psychology program is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
- The Social Work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
- Educator preparation programs in the School of Education, School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences, and School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Additionally, educator preparation programs in the School of Education are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Azusa Pacific University is approved for the training of veterans under the Veterans’ Bill of Rights. The university is listed with the United States Department of Justice for training of students from foreign countries.
Institutional membership and accreditation documents are available in the Office of the Provost.
The transferability of credits earned at Azusa Pacific University is at the discretion of the receiving college, university, or other educational institution. Students considering transferring to any institution should not assume that credits earned in any program of study at Azusa Pacific University will be accepted by the receiving institution. Similarly, the ability of a degree, certificate, diploma, or other academic credential earned at Azusa Pacific University to satisfy an admission requirement of another institution is at the discretion of the receiving institution. Accreditation does not guarantee credentials or credits earned at Azusa Pacific University will be accepted by or transferred to another institution. To minimize the risk of having to repeat coursework, students should contact the receiving institution in advance for evaluation and determination of transferability of credits and/or acceptability of degrees, diplomas, or certificates earned.
Why Accreditation Matters
Learn more about the benefits of attending an accredited school and how it demonstrates a college’s commitment to offering students the best academic experience possible.
University Reputation
U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges 2024 edition named Azusa Pacific to its list of top national universities and several other significant lists, including Top Performers on Social Mobility, Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs, and Best BSN Programs, and also included APU among the top graduate programs in social work and clinical psychology. The Princeton Review designated APU as 1 of 79 institutions in the “Best West” section of its 2024 Best Colleges guide. APU’s School of Nursing was named a top nursing school in California for 2024 by College Factual and Niche. APU is a top-100 degree producer according to Diverse: Issues In Higher Education, and is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Azusa Pacific is also a Military Friendly School and Yellow Ribbon University, serving more than 340 military-connected students and families, and is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as an R2 Doctoral Research University.
Archive
Regular reaffirmation of WSCUC accreditation demonstrates that Azusa Pacific University continues to meet standards as a qualified institution committed to providing excellence in higher education. In providing access to previous accreditation cycles, the university strives to create a transparent and truthful representation of its practices, as well as a clear picture of its goals for improvement and growth.
WSCUC Reaffirmation of Accreditation (2022)
WSCUC MidCycle Report (2018)
WSCUC Interim Report (2015)
WSCUC Reaffirmation of Accreditation (2013)
- Educational Effectiveness Review (EER)
- Capacity and Preparatory Review (CPR)
- Institutional Report