University of Redlands

Accreditation

The University of Redlands is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), one of seven regionalized accrediting commissions in the United States. Voluntary, non-governmental, institutional accreditation as practiced by WSCUC is a unique characteristic of American education. In many other countries the maintenance of educational standards is a governmental function. No institution in the United States is required to seek accreditation, however, because of the recognized benefits, most of the eligible institutions in our and other regions have sought to become accredited. Accreditation allows, for example, us to offer our students federal financial aid, such as Pell Grants, federal loans, and work-study jobs.

The WSCUC accreditation process aids institutions in developing and sustaining effective educational programs and assures the educational community, the general public, and other organizations that an accredited institution has met high standards of quality and effectiveness. The Commission accredits institutions, not individual programs. Therefore, in addition to assessing the academic quality and educational effectiveness of institutions, the Commission emphasizes institutional structures, processes, and resources. Accreditation is best thought of as a regularized process through which we affirm, demonstrate, and ensure our core commitments in teaching and learning.