(Carson, CA) California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) has had its accreditation reaffirmed for a maximum 10-year term by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior Commission for Universities and Colleges (WSCUC), the regional accrediting agency responsible for certifying higher education institutions in California, Hawaii, and the Pacific.
“Accreditation confirms CSUDH’s commitment to the highest standards of academic excellence,” said CSUDH President Thomas A. Parham. “To receive WSCUC’s full, 10-year accreditation is further testament to the outstanding work everyone on this campus does on a daily basis to ensure our students receive the very best academic and co-curricular experience.”
The WASC accreditation process aids institutions in developing institutional structures, processes, and resources that sustain effective educational programs. WSCUC encourages continuous improvement and assures constituencies, including the public, that accredited institutions are fulfilling their missions. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, WSCUC accreditation certifies institutional eligibility for federal funding in a number of programs, including student access to federal financial aid.
In a letter formalizing the action, WSCUC highlighted CSUDH’s approach to supporting student success and achievement, and the resulting gains in retention and graduation rates. WSCUC also commended the university for its strong sense of community among students and faculty, and its ‘pervasive entrepreneurial spirit,’ which is reflected in a strong, optimistic outlook about its future. Former CSUDH President Willie J. Hagan received special recognition for developing a clear vision and path forward for the school.
The commission recommended that CSUDH continue to build on its efforts to strengthen assessment of evidence-based curricular and co-curricular program student outcomes, faculty hiring, and physical campus development. Overall, the school was ‘encouraged to continue its progress, particularly in respect to student learning and success.’
CSUDH’s 10-year re-accreditation from WSCUC represents a major accomplishment and completes a lengthy multi-year process that involved the review of data, processes, and outcomes across the entire university, as well as an in-depth evaluation of important university priorities.
