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From the beginning, the board of directors of Providence Christian College instructed the faculty and staff to move forward as quickly as possible to seek accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), its regional accrediting agency. Accreditation brings academic recognition important to students who are applying to graduate programs. In addition, candidacy for accreditation with an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education would allow students to qualify for state and federal loans and grants. Currently these loans and grants are limited to those privately funded by the college.
The first step in the accreditation process was to seek eligibility with WASC. The college submitted its Eligibility Review documents to WASC in December 2005 and received notification of eligibility by letter on March 7, 2006 giving the college three years within which to apply for Candidacy for accreditation. The college submitted its Capacity and Preparatory Review on December 6, 2006, the first of its two required self-study reports with an accompanying portfolio of supporting evidence. The first report was submitted in anticipation of the first campus visit by a WASC site visit team on February 21-22, 2007. After receiving the findings of the site visit team—both commendations and recommendations—in May 2007, the college scheduled its second self-review and visit. The comprehensive Educational Effectiveness Review must be completed and sent to WASC by July 7, 2008. A second site visit is scheduled for October 1-3, 2008. At its February 2009 meeting the WASC Commission will make a determination on the candidacy application of the college.
The college community is working energetically to meet the targeted deadlines. The goal is to complete a high quality report that will cause the WASC visitors and commission to reflect favorably on what they learn about Providence Christian College. Our prayer is that in the accreditation process, as in all things, God will glorify himself through us.
You can learn more information about the accrediting agency and the accreditation process at WASC's website.
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