WSCUC Accreditation

WSCUC Accreditation

The University of the South Pacific (USP) was granted Initial Accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) for a six-year period (2018–2024) after the successful submission of the Seeking Accreditation Visit 1 (SAV1) Institutional Report and the hosting of the WSCUC Seeking Accreditation Visit (SAV1) in April 2018. The Initial Accreditation status confirmed that USP met WSCUC’s accreditation requirements at a substantial level.

 

Following a comprehensive institutional review conducted between 2023 and 2025, USP was granted Reaffirmation of Accreditation for a full eight-year term, effective from July 2025 to June 2033.

This reaffirmation represents a major milestone for USP, reflecting its steadfast commitment to academic quality, institutional effectiveness, and continuous improvement across its regional campuses. It affirms USP’s standing as a trusted provider of higher education in the Pacific and signals international confidence in the University’s governance, operations, and educational mission.

WSCUC Accreditation Journey at USP
WSCUC Accreditation Journey at USP

Overview of WSCUC Accreditation Journey at USP

USP’s interest in WSCUC accreditation dates back to the 1990s, primarily driven by the need to qualify for U.S. federal student aid, which would benefit students studying at the USP Marshall Islands Campus.

In 2014, USP underwent the WSCUC Diagnostic Review and Visit. This preliminary assessment evaluated USP’s eligibility, readiness for accreditation and its alignment with WSCUC standards and expectations.

In 2015, USP formally applied for Eligibility with WSCUC and was granted Eligibility on 5th January 2016. This determination confirmed that USP met all 16 Eligibility Criteria, allowing it to proceed toward Candidacy and Initial Accreditation within five years.

Between 2016 and 2018, USP conducted a comprehensive institutional self-review to align with accreditation requirements, submit its Institutional Report for Seeking Accreditation, and host the Accreditation Visit in April 2018.

For more information, please view each of the specific WSCUC review processes listed in the navigation bar on the left 👈