Accreditation

WCU’s accreditation serves as the seal of approval for a quality education.

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 identified by the accrediting agency.

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

Accreditation and Credit Transferability

While many universities require transfer credits come from an accredited institution, accreditation does NOT guarantee transfer credits will be accepted. If you wish to transfer to another institution, acceptance of WCU credits or degrees is at the complete discretion of the other institution. If they do not accept your credits, you may need to repeat some or all coursework.

Before transferring to another institution, we advise contacting them in order to determine if WCU credits, degrees, diplomas, or certificates will transfer.

Institutional Accreditation

WASC Senior College of University Commission 
West Coast University is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), an institutional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
1080 Marina Village Parkway
Suite 500
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 748-9001

Nursing Accreditations and Approvals

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Applies to BSN, MSN, APRN Post-Master’s Certificates, and DNP programs. 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

California Board of Registered Nursing 
Applies to the nursing programs in California  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
Applies to the nursing programs in Florida  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
Applies to the nursing programs in Texas  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

Programmatic Accreditations

Commission on Dental Accreditation
Applies to the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program
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
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
Applies to the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Doctorate programs
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.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). 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.
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
Applies to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program
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.
Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
Applies to the Doctor of Pharmacy program
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 University 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
Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc.
Applies to the Master of Physician Assistant program
The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the West Coast University Master of 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