Accreditation and Approval

JP Catholic University advances to final site review prior to initial accreditation goal.

On March 11, 2013, the President of Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) notified JP Catholic University that the WASC Commission scheduled the University's final site accreditation review visit for Fall 2014. Read the letter. A successful visit would enable the University to achieve its initial accreditation goal in March 2015. WASC is a regional accrediting agency assisting public and private schools, colleges and universities in California and the West. JP Catholic University's current WASC Accreditation Status is Candidate.

Accreditation Overview and History



  1. Eligibility.
    JP Catholic University began its accreditation journey in January 2007 by applying to WASC for Eligibility. Once WASC determined Eligibility (May 2007), the University began its journey towards Candidacy and Initial Accreditation.
  2. Candidacy.
    The WASC Commission reviewed the Candidacy application and in March 2011, the University was recognized as a Candidate for Accreditation: 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. JP Catholic was eligible to proceed towards Initial Accreditation. Read the full report
  3. Initial Accreditation.
    The Capacity and Preparatory Review (CPR) visit occurred in September 2012. Read our 2012 CPR Report. Please note that only links to web-based documents are accessible. The WASC Commission (read their letter) reviewed the CPR Team Report (read the team report) and acted to schedule the Educational Effectiveness Review site visit for Initial Accreditation in Fall 2014. The University is now preparing for that visit.

JP Catholic's first Master's degree program:

Following a Structural Change review, JP Catholic University, which is in the 'Candidacy' stage of its accreditation process, was been granted final approval by WASC for its MA degree in Biblical Theology (first Master's degree program, and thus a new degree level) and MBA degree in Film Producing, effective August 31, 2012.

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Voluntary, non-governmental, institutional accreditation is a unique characteristic of American education. Institutions are not required to seek accreditation; however, because of the recognized benefits, most eligible institutions seek to become accredited. The accreditation process assists institutions, like JP Catholic University, in developing and sustaining effective educational programs and assures the educational community and the general public that high standards of quality and effectiveness have been met. In addition, WASC provides accreditation assistance and emphasizes the importance of institutional structures, processes, and resources. The WASC Commission accredits institutions, not individual programs. Programs must receive WASC's Substantive Change Committee approval to ensure standards of accreditation are met.

Questions about accreditation may be directed to JP Catholic or to WASC at wascsr@wascsenior.org or 510.748.9001.

Read More on How Institutions become WASC Accredited ....

Approval is the legal requirement of the State of California to open and operate a university. Approval legally allows the University to recruit, admit, and award degrees to students.

Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE)

JP Catholic University received temporary approval to operate from the State of California's now-defunct Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE) on October 25, 2005. The approval process took about two years from preparation to completion. Beginning January 1, 2010, private postsecondary schools operating in California are under the jurisdiction of the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) within the Department of Consumer Affairs.