Accreditation

WSCUC Institutional Accreditation

The WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) is a respected regional accrediting agency responsible for accrediting degree-granting institutions internationally, mainly across California, the United States and the Pacific. WSCUC is recognised by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) as a reliable authority on the quality of education provided by accredited institutions.

The University of the South Pacific (USP) was granted Initial Accreditation by WSCUC in 2018 for a six-year term through 2024, following the successful submission of the Seeking Accreditation Visit 1 (SAV1) institutional report and the hosting of the on-site evaluation in April 2018. This status affirmed that USP met WSCUC’s standards and criteria at a substantial level.

WSCUC Accreditation involves ongoing monitoring and periodic reviews to ensure continued compliance and institutional improvement. These include:

  • Annual Reports (submitted every May)
  • Mid-Cycle Review (every 3 years)
  • Substantive Change Reviews (for any new programmes, new locations and structural changes)
  • Interim Report (every 4 years)
  • Reaffirmation Review (at the end of each 6-year cycle)

USP is currently undergoing a Reaffirmation Review (2024-2025).

The overarching goal of WSCUC Accreditation is to assure stakeholders that an institution has been rigorously evaluated and that it meets or exceeds standards of academic quality, integrity and effectiveness. The process also fosters:

  • A culture of evidence-informed decision-making
  • Ongoing institutional learning and improvement
  • Transparency and accountability to students, governments and the public
  • Feedback mechanisms that strengthen both the institution and the accreditation process

Please see the USP WSCUC Website for more information.

List of Internationally Accredited or Recognised Programmes

To date, the University proudly offers a growing list of programmes that have not only achieved accreditation but have also earned esteemed recognition — a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and the future of our students.

Internationally Accredited Programmes

  1. Bachelor of Commerce – (Accounting) (CPA1 Australia, Australia)
  2. Bachelor of Commerce in Professional Accounting (CPA1 Australia, Australia)
  3. Certificate in Tourism and Hospitality Management (THE-ICE2, Australia)
  4. Bachelor of Commerce (Tourism Management) (THE-ICE2, Australia)
  5. Bachelor of Commerce in Tourism and Hospitality Management (THE-ICE2, Australia)
  6. Certificate in Hotel Management (THE-ICE2, Australia)
  7. Diploma in Hotel Management (THE-ICE2, Australia)
  8. Bachelor of Commerce in Hotel Management (THE-ICE2, Australia)
  9. Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce – (Tourism and Hospitality Management) (THE-ICE2, Australia)
  10. Master of Commerce (Tourism and Hospitality Management) (THE-ICE2, Australia)
  11. PhD in Tourism and Hospitality Management (THE-ICE2, Australia)
  12. Master of Business Administration (AMBA3, United Kingdom)
  13. Bachelor of Networks and Security (Provisional Accreditation) (ACS4, Australia)
  14. Bachelor of Software Engineering (Provisional Accreditation) (ACS4, Australia)
  15. Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronics) (Engineering New Zealand)
  16. Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Engineering New Zealand)
  17. Bachelor of Arts (Social Work) (ACWA5, Australia)
  18. Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching (SEDA6, United Kingdom)

Internationally Accredited Pacific TAFE Qualifications

  1. Certificate III in Commercial Cookery (THE-ICE2, Australia)
  2. Certificate III in Patisserie (THE-ICE2, Australia)
  3. Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (ACECQA7, Australia)
  4. Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery (THE-ICE2, Australia)
  5. Certificate IV in Hospitality Operations (Events, Food & Beverage and Front Office) (THE-ICE2, Australia)
  6. Diploma in Early Childhood Care & Education (Level 5) (ACECQA7, Australia)
  7. Diploma of Library and Information Services (Level 5) (ALIA8, Australia)

Note: Pacific TAFE acquired Registered Training Provider status with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). It can deliver qualifications which are accredited with the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Recognised Qualifications

  1. Twelve (12) courses in USP Bachelor of Laws Degree (Law Council of Australia)
  2. Foundation Arts Programme (FNA) (Universities New Zealand)
  3. Foundation Business Programme (FNB) (Universities New Zealand)
  4. Foundation Science Programme (FNSN) (Universities New Zealand)
  5. Certificate III in Entrepreneurship and New Business Venture (SBAA9, Australia)
  6. Bachelor of Education – Primary (New Zealand Qualification Authority)
  7. Bachelor of Education – Secondary (New Zealand Qualification Authority)
  8. Postgraduate Certificate in Education (New Zealand Qualification Authority)
  9. Graduate Certificate in Education (New Zealand Qualification Authority)

Footnotes

  1. CPA Australia – Certified Practising Accountant Australia
  2. THE-ICE – International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education
  3. AMBA – Association of MBAs
  4. ACS – Australian Computer Society
  5. ACWA – Australian Community Workers Association
  6. SEDA – Staff and Educational Development Association
  7. ACECQA – The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority
  8. ALIA – The Australian Library and Information Association
  9. SBAA – Small Business Association of Australia

Accreditation of Pacific TAFE Short Courses