Our Accreditation and Approvals
Western Seminary is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS), the accrediting body for theological schools and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.
Additionally, the MA in Counseling program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the Portland campus is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education and by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation. Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.
Inquiries regarding an institution’s accredited status by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact:
| ADDRESS: | 8060 165th Avenue N.E., Suite 100 Redmond, WA 98052-3981 |
| PHONE: | 425.558.4224 |
| FAX: | 425.376.0596 |
| WEBSITE: | www.nwccu.org |
Association of Theological Schools
The following degree programs are approved:
M.Div., M.A. in Counseling, M.A. (Biblical and Theological Studies), M.A. (Intercultural Studies), M.A. in Ministry and Leadership, D.Min., D.Miss., Th.M.
In February 2022, the ATS Board of Commissioners approved a three-year experiment permitting synchronous online delivery as an exception to residency for half or more of the Doctor of Philosophy in Intercultural Education program.
The following extension sites are approved as specified:
Sacramento, CA
Approved Degrees: M.Div., M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy, M.A. (Biblical and Theological Studies), M.A. in Ministry and Leadership
Santa Clara, CA
Approved Degrees: M.Div., M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy, M.A. in Ministry and Leadership, M.A. (Biblical and Theological Studies)
Online Campus
Approved for a Comprehensive Distance Education Program
The contact information for ATS is:
| ADDRESS: | The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada 10 Summit Park Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15275 USA |
| PHONE: | 412.788.6505 |
| FAX: | 412.788.6510 |
| WEBSITE: | www.ats.edu |
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
The contact information for CACREP is:
| ADDRESS: | The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs 1001 North Fairfax Street, Suite 510 Alexandria, VA 22314 USA |
| PHONE: | 703.535.5990 |
| FAX: | 703.739.6209 |
| WEBSITE: | www.cacrep.org |
Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education for the State of California
- Western Seminary is a private institution, that it is approved to operate by the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE), and that approval to operate means compliance with state standards as set forth in the CEC and 5, CCR.
- Information about the BPPE or Western Seminary’s status with the BPPE can be found by contacting them at Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education at 1747 N. Market Blvd. Ste 225 Sacramento, CA 95834 or P.O. Box 980818, West Sacramento, CA 95798-0818; www.bppe.ca.gov; (888) 370-7589 or (916) 574-8900, or by fax (916) 263-1897.
- School Performance Fact Sheet 2021-22
Oregon Office of Degree Authorization
- We are licensed by the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization (ODA) part of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission of the state of Oregon, to grant degrees as an independent, non-profit, regionally accredited institution.
- Information can be verified at the ODA website.
The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)
Western Seminary - Global (online distance education) is currently authorized to operate in 49 of the 50 states and the District of Columbia under the terms of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). In California, Western's online program operates by separate authorization.
Approvals and Other Memberships
Western is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), an association of evangelical, non-profit organizations requiring the highest standards of financial accountability and disclosure.
Western Seminary is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.
The M.A. in Counseling program meets the educational requirements for licensure by the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors.
The M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy program meets the educational requirements for licensure by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
The Addiction Studies Certificate program is approved by the California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC), the Education Board of California Foundation for the Advancement of Addiction Professionals (CFAAP), and the California Certification Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CCBADC).
The Advanced Certificate in Transformational Coaching program is a Level 2 accredited program with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and also offers Approved Coach Specific Training Hours in accordance with requirements of the ICF.
Western Seminary is recognized as a training site for chaplains desiring to serve in the United States Armed Forces.
Western Seminary is registered with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences to offer continuing education courses.
The Seminary is one of the associated schools of Jerusalem University College in Jerusalem, Israel.
Western is an institutional member of the American Theological Library Association, the Association of Christian Librarians, the American Library Association, and the Association of College and Research Libraries. Additionally, the Seminary is a member of the Oregon Private Academic Library Link (OPALL), a group of eight Christian colleges and graduate schools in the Northwest.
The Seminary holds institutional membership in the following professional organizations that provide standards for informed and ethical practice: