Accreditation Plan Resources
Section 94885.1 of the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 requires that the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education's (Bureau) degree-granting institutions be accredited.
This web page was created as a resource for institutions seeking accreditation. Sample accreditation plans and contact information for the most common national and regional accrediting agencies in California are listed below, in addition to other helpful resources. For additional information on accreditation click here.
| Accrediting Agency | Contact Information | Scope of Accreditation | Sample Accreditation Plan & Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) | (407) 207-0808 info@abhe.org |
ABHE accredits institutions of higher education in which the Bible is central, and the development of Christian life and ministry is essential. | Sample ABHE Plan |
| Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) | Crystal Calarusse Associate Executive Director of Program Development and Innovation ccalarusse@abhes.org (571) 282-0061 |
ABHES institutionally accredits private, postsecondary institutions offering predominantly allied health education programs leading to a certificate, diploma, Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Occupational Science, Academic Associate degree, Baccalaureate degree, or Master's degree, including those offered via distance education. | Sample ABHES Plan |
| Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) | accjc@accjc.org (415) 506-0234 |
The ACCJC is a regional accrediting agency that accredits community colleges and other associate degree-granting institutions in the Western Region, which includes California. | Sample ACCJC Plan |
| Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) | (703) 247.4212 info@accsc.org |
ACCSC’s scope of recognition with the U.S. Department of Education includes the accreditation of postsecondary, non-degree-granting institutions and degree-granting institutions that are predominantly organized to educate students for occupational, trade and technical careers. | Sample ACCSC Plan |
| Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET) | info@accet.org 202-955-1113 |
Institutions that offer postsecondary certificates, diplomas, or degrees up to the Associate’s level. If the institution offers more advanced degrees, specifically at the bachelor’s degree level and above, that entity will not be eligible for accreditation. | Sample ACCET Plan |
| Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) | Ms. Perliter Walters-Gilliam, Vice President of Accreditation (202) 336-6769 pwgilliam@acics.org |
ACICS accredits institutions that offer programs in professional, technical, and occupational fields, through the Master's Degree level. | Sample ACICS Plan |
| Commission on English Language Program
Accreditation (CEA) Non-Degree Programs Only |
Heidi Vellenga, Associate Director hvellenga@cea-accredit.org (703) 665-3400 |
The Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) is a specialized
accrediting agency that focuses on postsecondary intensive English language programs and
institutions. CEA DOES NOT accredit degree programs. |
http://cea-accredit.org/accreditation/forms
http://cea-accredit.org/accreditation/process |
| Council on Occupational Education (COE) | Alex Wittig Associate Executive Director of Institutional Compliance 800-917-2081, Ext 202 alex.wittig@council.org |
COE accredits institutions offering postsecondary instruction exclusively in career and technical education at all campuses, and credentials no higher than an applied associate degree. Additionally, at least 50 percent of the institution’s full-time students must be enrolled in traditional (non-distance education) programs. | Sample COE Plan |
| Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) | Nan Ridgeway, Director of Accreditation (202) 234-5100, Ext 103 nan.ridgeway@deac.org |
The Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) is an institutional accreditor of distance education institutions. DEAC provides accreditation up to professional doctoral degree-granting institutions. | Sample DEAC Plan |
| National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences (NACCAS) | Tony Mirando, M.S., D.C. NACCAS Executive Director amirando@naccas.org |
NACCAS is a national agency for the institutional accreditation of postsecondary schools and departments of cosmetology arts and sciences, including specialized schools. | Sample NACCAS Plan |
| Transactional Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) | Kristin Runion, Receptionist (434) 525-9539 Info@tracs.org |
TRACS is a national institutional accrediting agency for Christian postsecondary institutions, colleges, universities, and seminaries. TRACS is authorized to pre-accredit and accredit institutions offering certificates, diplomas, and associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees; including institutions that offer distance education and/or correspondence education. | Sample TRACS Plan |
| Western Association of Schools and Colleges – Senior College and University Commission (WASC Sr.) | https://www.wscuc.org/ webforms@wscuc.org |
WASC Sr. is a regional accrediting agency serving a diverse membership of public and private higher education institutions in California, Hawaii, and the Pacific, that offer one of more programs leading to the baccalaureate or higher degree. | Sample WASC Senior Plan |
Additional Resources
For Institutions Awaiting Provisional Bureau Approval:
- Provisional Approval Accreditation Sample Plan
- Provisional Approval Accreditation Plan Checklist
- For Institutions Requesting Extensions Per CEC 94885.1(d)(1)&(2)
Accreditation Basics
U.S. Department of Education
Accreditation Information
California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009
Title 5, Division 7.5 California Code of Regulations
Notice to Institutions Regarding 'Self Teach-Outs'