The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) is a California-based nonprofit organisation dedicated to accrediting senior colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees and higher. Established on July 1, 1962, WSCUC originally focused on accrediting institutions in California, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Over time, WSCUC has expanded its reach and now accredits institutions across the United States and internationally.

WSCUC is recognised by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) as an official accrediting authority and undergoes periodic reviews for renewal to maintain its accreditation authority. Unlike programme-specific accreditation, WSCUC accredits entire institutions, ensuring comprehensive academic quality, institutional effectiveness, and student success.

The University of the South Pacific (USP) was granted Initial Accreditation by WSCUC in 2018 for a six-year period.

🔗 Read More: WSCUC Accreditation Journey at USP 

WSCUC accreditation is a comprehensive, rigorous, and evidence-based evaluation process that assesses all functions and operations of the University to ensure compliance with internationally recognised standards of quality and effectiveness. It critically examines key institutional areas, including governance, academic programmes, student learning outcomes, faculty qualifications, financial sustainability, institutional planning, and continuous improvement processes.

🔗 Read More: What It Means to Be WSCUC Accredited

WSCUC accreditation is structured around forty-one (41) Criteria for Review (CFRs), which are distributed across the four (4) Standards of Accreditation:

📌 Standard One: Defining Institutional Mission and Acting with Integrity

📌 Standard Two: Achieving Educational Objectives and Student Success

📌 Standard Three: Assuring Resources and Organisational Structures

📌 Standard Four: Creating an Institution Committed to Quality Assurance and Improvement

The University of the South Pacific (USP) will be undergoing the WSCUC Accreditation Visit from 23rd to 25th April 2025 at USP Laucala Campus. This visit is a critical and culminating step in the institutional review process for the reaffirmation of WSCUC accreditation.

As part of the Off-Campus Location (campuses that offer 50% or more of a degree programme) Review, members of the WSCUC Review Team will conduct site visits at the following campuses:

📍 Solomon Islands Campus
📅 Dates: 24th – 25th March 2025

📍 Samoa Campus
📅 Date: 17th April 2025

📍 Lautoka Campus
📅 Date: 22nd April 2025

The Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Education) will be consulting with various campuses, sections, staff, and students as part of the preparation for this accreditation visit, from 5th February to 4th April 2025.
All staff and students are encouraged to access USP’s Institutional Report for Reaffirmation.

For further details, please contact:
👩‍💼 WSCUC Accreditation Project Officer, Ms. Priya Devi
✉️ Email: priya.devi@usp.ac.fj