WASC Policies

The Commission has found that a number of issues can arise during the course of an accreditation review that may not affect all institutions, but which are important. In such areas, the Commission has developed and adopted formal policy statements.

These policies represent Commission expectations and good practice and are to be followed wherever applicable. In a number of areas, policies have been adopted which are inter-regional in scope and are intended to create the basis for consistent practice by regional accrediting commissions throughout the country. All policies have been reviewed publicly within the region prior to adoption.

A full copy of the Policies Manual is available here.

For copies of individual policies, please use the links provided below:

ACCJC and ACSCU Joint Accreditation Policy

Accreditation Liaison Officer Policy

Collective Bargaining Policy

Collegiate Athletics Policy

Complaint and Third Party Comments Policy

Complaint Form | Third Party Comment Form | Litigation Agreement

Compliance Audit Policy

Checklist - Candidacy/Initial Accreditation | Checklist - Special Visits

Conflict of Interest Policy

Contracts with Unaccredited Organizations, Policy on

Cooperation Among Accrediting Agencies, Policy on

Credit for Experiential Learning Policy

Credit Hour Policy

Cross-Regional Institutions, Policy on

Degree Definitions

Degree Level Approval Policy

Distance Education and Technology-Mediated Instruction Policy

Diversity Statement

Dual Degrees Policy

Dually Accredited Institutions Policy

Honorary Degrees Policy

Instruction in Languages Other than English

Institutions within a System, Policy on

Initial Accreditation of Institutions Accredited by Another Agency

Inter-Regional Accreditation Policy

International Students Policy

Joint Degrees Policy

Law Schools in California, Policy on

Legal Fees Policy

Maintenance of Accreditation Records, Policy on

Matters under Litigation, Policy on

Non-Educational Components, Policy on Institutions with

Notice to Secretary of Changes in Scope of Recognition

Observers on Evaluation Teams, Policy on / Observer Agreement form

Overseas Programs for Non-US Nationals, Policy on

Ownership of Stock in For-profit WASC Institutions, Policy on

Prior Approval of Outsourced Programs, Policy on

Public Access to the Commission, Policy on

Public Disclosure of Accreditation Documents and Commission Actions, Policy on

Reapplication Policy

Review of Commission Standards, Policy on

Separately Accreditable Institutions, Policy on

Sharing of Accreditation Information with other Agencies, Policy on

Study Abroad Policy

Substantive Change Policy

Teach Out Plans and Agreements, Policy on

Title IV Compliance, Policy on

Transfer of Credit Policy

Unannounced Visits, Policy on

Draft policies circulated to the region for comment:

Draft Graduate Education Policy

Draft Independent Governing Board Policy

Draft Proprietary Information Policy

Draft revisions to Commission Decisions section of Handbook

Comments on the policies above are being accepted until May 18, 2012. Following the comment period, all three policies will be considered for final ratification by the Commission at its June 2012 meeting.