On March 11th 2013, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) - the regional accrediting agency, which accredits public and private schools, colleges and universities in California and the West notified John Paul the Great Catholic University that its final site review visit prior to its initial accreditation goal will be in the Fall of 2014. A successful visit would enable the University achieves its initial accreditation goal in March 2015.
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 aids institutions, like JP Catholic University, in developing and sustaining effective educational programs and assures the educational community and the general public that they have met high standards of quality and effectiveness. WASC accredits institutions, not individual programs. In addition, WASC emphasizes institutional structures, processes, and resources.
JP Catholic University began its accreditation journey in January 2007, when it applied for Eligibility from WASC. Once WASC determined eligibility (Eligibility is not a formal status nor does it assure eventual accreditation); the University began its journey to Candidacy status - the first formal step towards Initial Accreditation. After a Capacity & Preparatory Review site visit in February 2009 and an Educational Effectiveness Review site visit in November 2010, the University achieved candidacy status. (Candidacy is an indication that the institution is progressing toward Accreditation. Candidacy is not Accreditation and does not ensure eventual Accreditation.) The University had a second Capacity and Preparatory Review in Fall 2012 and is now preparing for its final Educational Effectiveness Review site visit in Fall 2014.
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