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

LOGOBlankBkgrnd 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

View our 2012 Accreditation Report

 

Association of Theological Schools

Association of Theological Schools LogoThe following degree programs are approved:

Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Arts in Counseling (MA in Counseling), Master of Arts (Biblical and Theological Studies) (MA [Biblical and Theological Studies]), Master of Arts in Global Leadership (MA in Global Leadership), Master of Arts in Ministry and Leadership (MA in Ministry and Leadership), Doctor of Ministry (DMin), Doctor of Intercultural Studies (DInSt), Master of Theology (ThM), Doctor in Education in Intercultural Education (EdD in Intercultural Education)

The following extension sites are approved as specified:

Rocklin, CA
Approved Degrees: Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Arts (Biblical and Theological Studies) (MA [Biblical and Theological Studies]), Master of Arts in Counseling (MA in Counseling), Master of Arts in Ministry and Leadership (MA in Ministry and Leadership)

Milpitas, CA
Approved Degrees: Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Arts (Biblical and Theological Studies) (MA [Biblical and Theological Studies]), Master of Arts in Counseling (MA in Counseling), Master of Arts in Ministry and Leadership (MA in Ministry and Leadership)

Online Campus
Approved Degrees: Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Arts (Biblical and Theological Studies) (MA [Biblical and Theological Studies]), Master of Arts in Ministry and Leadership (MA in Ministry and Leadership) (Approved exception to ATS Standards A.3.1.3 and B.3.1.3)

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

Western is approved for the training of veterans and eligible persons under Title 38, U.S. Code. Veterans who desire further information regarding their educational benefits should contact the nearest Veterans Administration Office or the Veterans Clerk at Western Seminary.

 

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

CACREP LogoThe Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), has granted accreditation to the MA Counseling program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Western Seminary Portland Campus.

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: http://www.cacrep.org/

 

Washington Student Achievement Council

The Washington Student Achievement Council has determined that Western Seminary qualifies for religious exempt status from the Degree-Granting Institutions Act for the following program: Master of Divinity (MDiv). The Council makes no evaluation of the administration, faculty, business practices, financial condition or quality of the offerings by this institution. Any person desiring information about the requirements of the act or the applicability of those requirements to the institution may contact the Council at P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Approvals and Other Memberships

The MA in Counseling program meets the educational requirements for licensure by the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors. The MA in Counseling program meets the educational requirements for licensure by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Western Seminary is recognized as a training site for chaplains desiring to serve in the United States Armed Forces.

Western Seminary is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.

Western Seminary is registered with the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and 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 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 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: