Accreditation

Accreditation is a status granted to an institution that meets or exceeds specific criteria of educational quality as defined by the accrediting agency.

Accreditation

What is Accreditation?

The mark of a solid foundation, accreditation is a status granted to an institution that meets or exceeds specific criteria of educational quality as defined by the accrediting agency.

The accreditation process serves to engage peers within the higher education community to assess and suggest enhancements of the educational quality of an institution, to assure consistency in institutional operations, to promote institutional improvement and to provide for public accountability and transparency.

Accreditation is a deliberate, thorough and voluntary process. Accrediting agencies assess compliance with their published academic and administrative standards and look for a continuous commitment to striving for excellence by the institutions they accredit.

 

 

NOTICE CONCERNING TRANSFERABILITY OF CREDITS AND CREDENTIALS EARNED AT WEST COAST UNIVERSITY

The transferability of credits you earn at West Coast University is at the complete discretion of an institution to which you may seek to transfer. Acceptance of the degree earned at West Coast University is also at the complete discretion of the accepting institution. If the credits or degree that is earned at this institution are not accepted at the institution to which transfer is sought, the accepting institution may require the student to repeat some or all coursework at their institution. For this reason, students should make certain that attendance at this institution meets their educational goals, regardless of transferability of credit. Students are advised to contact an institution to which they may seek to transfer after attending West Coast University to determine if West Coast University credits, degrees, diplomas or certificates will transfer.

West Coast University Accreditation

WCU’s accreditation serves as the seal of approval for a quality education. It indicates that the university has fulfilled the standards put forth by an accrediting agency. WCU has both regional and programmatic accreditations.

Institutional Accreditation

West Coast University is accredited by WASC Senior College of University Commission (WSCUC), a regional accreditation body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

1001 Marina Village Parkway
Suite 402
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 748-9001

www.wscuc.org

Programmatic Accreditation

College of Nursing – BSN, MSN, APRN Post-Master’s Certificate, & DNP Programs

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at West Coast University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
655 K Street NW
Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 887-6791
Fax: (202) 887-8476
www.ccneaccreditation.org

College of Nursing – ADN, BSN, MSN, Post-Master’s Certificate, & DNP Programs

Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA)

The West Coast University Associate Degree in Nursing, Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (delivered via distance education), Master’s Degree in Nursing (delivered via distance education), Post-graduate Certificate in Nursing (delivered via distance education), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (delivered via distance education) Programs hold pre-accreditation status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation, located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20037. 202-909-2487. Holding pre-accreditation status does not guarantee that initial accreditation by NLN CNEA will be received.

Third-Party Comment Period

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

West Coast University College of Nursing will host an accreditation visit by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) on March 13-15, 2024. The purpose of the visit is to seek continuing nursing accreditation of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, Post-Master’s APRN Certificate, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.

One of the requirements for accreditation specifies that the program notify its community constituents of the opportunity to submit “written third-party comments” to the CCNE. The College of Nursing at West Coast University extends the invitation for colleagues, alumni, program constituents, and interested parties to submit comments concerning the College’s academic programs and our qualifications for accreditation. During the review process, the CCNE evaluation team will consider all third-party comments that relate to the CCNE Standards of Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs.

All third-party comments must be submitted in English. Please note that comments are only shared with the CCNE evaluation team assigned to the review of the nursing programs, and at no time during the review process are these comments shared with the program. These third-party comments will be received by CCNE until 21 days before the scheduled virtual evaluation. Therefore, all third-party comments will be accepted by CCNE until February 22, 2024

Please submit comments to: thirdpartycomments@ccneaccrediation.org or

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Attn: Third Party Comments
655 K Street, NW, Suite 750
Washington, DE 20001.

Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA)

The West Coast University, Associate Degree in Nursing system, Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing system (RN-BSN delivered via distance education), Master’s Degree in Nursing system (delivered via distance education), Post-Graduate Certificate in Nursing system (delivered via distance education), and Doctor of Nursing Practice system (delivered via distance education) Programs, are pursuing accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20037; phone 202-909-2487. Interested parties are invited to submit third-party comments in writing directly to NLN CNEA, attention Dr. Teresa Shellenbarger, NLN CNEA Executive Director, no later than February 12, 2024 to cneaaccreditation@nln.org.

Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene

The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at (312) 440-4653.

Commission on Dental Accreditation
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 440-2500
www.ada.org/en/coda/accreditation

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

The entry-level MSOT Program at WCU received accreditation in December 11, 2014 from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is 301-652-2682, and their web address is Acoteonline.org. Program graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, most states require licensure to practice; however, state licensure is usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Occupational Therapy Doctorate

West Coast University’s Doctor of Occupational therapy program received accreditation on July 26, 2019 from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is 301-652-2682, and their web address is acoteonline.org. Program graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), Inc. After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Though most states require licensure in order to practice, the state licenses are usually contingent on successful passage of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination as well as eligibility to obtain state licensure.

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Graduation from a physical therapist education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.

The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at West Coast University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Avenue, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA, 22305; telephone: 703-684-2782; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org/home.

Doctor of Pharmacy

West Coast University School of Pharmacy’s Doctor of Pharmacy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredits Doctor of Pharmacy programs offered by Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy in the United States and selected non-US sites. For a Doctor of Pharmacy program offered by a new College or School of Pharmacy, ACPE accreditation generally involves three steps; Precandidate status, Candidate status and Accredited status.

Precandidate status denotes a developmental program that is expected to mature in accord with stated plans and within a defined time period. Precandidate status is awarded to a new program of a College or School of Pharmacy that has not yet enrolled students in the professional program and authorizes the School to admit its first class.

Candidate status is awarded to a Doctor of Pharmacy program that has students enrolled but has not yet had a graduating class.

Accredited status is awarded to a program that has met all ACPE standards for accreditation and has graduated its first class. Graduates of a class designated as having Candidate status have the same rights and privileges of those graduates from a fully accredited program. ACPE conveys its decisions to the various boards of pharmacy and makes recommendations in accord with its decisions. It should be noted, however, that decisions concerning eligibility for licensure by examination or reciprocity reside with the respective state boards of pharmacy in accordance with their state statutes and administrative rules.

The Doctor of Pharmacy program of the West Coast School of Pharmacy was awarded Accredited status during the June 20-24, 2018, meeting of the ACPE Board of Directors based upon an on-site evaluation conducted April 3-5, 2018, and discussion with University and School officials.

PLEASE NOTE THAT LICENSURE TO PRACTICE AS A PHARMACIST IS REQUIRED IN EVERY STATE. HOWEVER, THE EXAM AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS VARY BY STATE. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO RESEARCH THE REQUIREMENTS IN THE STATE IN WHICH YOU PLAN TO PRACTICE.

190 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60603-3410
Phone: (312) 664-3575
Fax: (866) 228-2631
www.acpe-accredit.org

Master of Physician Assistant

The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the West Coast University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by West Coast University.

Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation. Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.

Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website.

To become a certified PA (PA-C), one must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). In addition, students must obtain state medical board registration/licensure. The licensure requirements will vary from state to state.

To become a certified PA (PA-C), one must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). In addition, students must obtain state medical board registration/licensure. The licensure requirements will vary from state to state.

Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc (ARC-PA)
3325 Paddocks Parkway, Suite 345
Suwanee, Georgia 30024
Phone: (770) 476-1224
www.arc-pa.org

Additional Approvals

California Board of Registered Nursing Approval

The nursing pre-licensure (LVN to BSN and BSN) programs offered at West Coast University are approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing at:
1747 North Market Boulevard, Suite 150
Sacramento, CA 95834-1924
Phone: (916) 322-3350
(916) 322-1700 (TDD)
www.rn.ca.gov

Florida Board of Nursing Approval

West Coast University’s nursing programs have been granted approval from the Florida Board of Nursing.

Florida Department of Health
Board of Nursing
4052 Bald Cypress Way
Bin C-02
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3252
Phone: (850) 245-4125
floridasnursing.gov

Texas Board of Nursing Approval

West Coast University is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing for the pre-licensure nursing (BSN) programs.

Texas Board of Nursing
333 Guadalupe #3-460
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 305-7400
Fax: (512) 305-7401
www.bon.texas.gov

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