Hawai‘i Pacific University is accredited by WASC

Hawai‘i Pacific University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). WASC is one of six regional accrediting agencies in the United States.

Hawai‘i Pacific University received high marks from WASC during the last report. WASC accredits schools in California, Hawai‘i, and the Pacific region. HPU was awarded full accreditation in good standing for ten years, which is the longest period of accreditation WASC can grant.

The WASC Commission praised the University for progress over the last several years, noting especially the significant development shown in its planning, governance, and decision-making processes. During this ten-year period, the University will submit the standard interim report.

HPU is among the first educational institutions to be evaluated under a new set of accreditation criteria, according to Dr. John Kearns, HPU's Vice President of Academic Affairs. "The vision of the new WASC standards for educational effectiveness reflects heightened national interest in increasing the visibility of how we assure quality and demonstrate accountability for student learning," said Dr. Kearns, who led HPU's accreditation planning activities culminating in this successful outcome.