Accreditation also encourages institutional development and improvement through self-study and periodic review. Federal and State governments consider accreditation a reliable indicator of institutional quality. WASC plays a significant role in the life of accredited and candidate institutions in the Western region. Yet the role of WASC is often not visible to the campus community or the general public, and many misperceptions about WASC and accreditation persist. Institutional accreditation by WASC is a voluntary, non-governmental process.
Institutions request accreditation.
WASC, formed in 1962, has three Accrediting Commissions for different levels of education. The Senior Commission consists of 18 members drawn from public and private institutions who meet three times a year. The other two WASC accrediting commissions are concerned with community and junior colleges, and high schools. Accreditation from the Senior Commission is obtained through an evaluation process of an entire institution and is without time limit. It is subject, however, to periodic review as determined by the Commission.