Accreditation

Cal State Monterey Bay is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), one of six regional accrediting agencies in the United States.

WSCUC accredits institutions — not individual programs — and evaluates:

• Educational quality and student learning
• Institutional capacity and financial sustainability
• Governance, leadership and planning
• Use of evidence to improve student success

The accreditation process promotes a culture of evidence, innovation and accountability. Institutions undergo peer review and periodic reaffirmation to ensure they continue to meet Commission standards.

Learn more about WSCUC.

In addition to regional accreditation, several academic programs hold professional accreditation that reflects discipline-specific standards.

College of Business

• The College of Business has begun the accreditation application process with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• For more information, contact the School of Business at 831-582-4186

College of Education

• Master of Science in School Psychology
  Fully accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
• Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
  Applicant for Candidacy with the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

For more information, contact the Department of Education and Leadership at 831-582-3639.

College of Health Sciences and Human Services

• Master of Social Work
  Fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
• Nursing Program
  Fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

About WSCUC

The WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) is a regional accrediting agency serving institutions in California, Hawaii and the Pacific region. WSCUC conducts peer-based institutional reviews to ensure colleges and universities meet established standards of quality and effectiveness.

The Accreditation Review Process

WSCUC appoints peer reviewers — experienced higher education leaders — whose expertise aligns with the scope of each review. Review teams evaluate institutional reports, conduct visits and present findings to the Accrediting Commission, which makes the final accreditation decision.

Reaffirmation cycles typically span several years and include institutional reports, peer review, progress updates and site visits.

Why Accreditation Matters

Accreditation:

• Confirms institutional quality and educational effectiveness
  
• Ensures eligibility for U.S. federal financial aid
  
• Supports transfer of credits and admission to graduate programs
  
• Promotes continuous institutional improvement
  

All CSU and UC campuses hold regional accreditation.

What Accreditation Means for Students

For students and families, accreditation affirms that Cal State Monterey Bay meets rigorous academic and operational standards, manages resources responsibly and remains committed to student success and continuous improvement.

Overview

Following reaffirmation in 2019, Cal State Monterey Bay hosted a WSCUC special visit in fall 2023. The visit provided an opportunity to share progress in key strategic areas ahead of the next comprehensive review cycle in 2029.

Focus Areas

WSCUC identified three areas of emphasis:

• Recruitment, hiring and inclusion of diverse faculty and staff
• Integration of resource allocation, enrollment management and strategic planning
• Continued improvement in academic advising

Commendations

The visiting team recognized:

• Campus-wide engagement in the President’s Opportunities and Priorities
• Significant improvements in advising, including advisor-to-student ratios
• Strengthened shared governance through the formation of the Staff Council
• Expanded Employee Affinity Groups fostering belonging and community
• Institutional commitment to Inclusive Excellence

Areas for Development

• Full implementation and evaluation of the Modified Responsibility Centered Management budget model (CFR 3.4)
• Continued assessment of advising effectiveness, including technology integration (CFR 2.13)
• Ongoing evaluation of efforts to recruit and retain diverse faculty and staff (CFR 3.1)

Next Steps

• Submit a progress report to WSCUC by Nov. 1, 2026
• Prepare for the off-site review in fall 2028
• Host the accreditation visit in spring 2029
• Read the 2023 Special Visit Report
• Read the full response from WSCUC President Jamienne Studley

Questions about accreditation may be directed to alo@csumb.edu.

Reports

The following documents are presented in chronological order:

• Reaffirmation Report
• Off-Site Review Summary
• Campus response to the Off-Site Review Summary
• WSCUC Team Report
• Institutional Response to the Team Report
• WSCUC Commission Action Letter

Review team (2019)

WSCUC selected peer reviewers from across higher education to conduct the off-site review and campus visit. Review teams prepare lines of inquiry based on institutional reports and present findings to the WSCUC Accrediting Commission, which renders the final decision.

Governance and Steering Committees (2016-2019 Cycle)

WSCUC Steering Committee

The Steering Committee guided the reaffirmation process beginning in 2016. Its work included:

• Coordinating timelines and campus engagement
• Creating subcommittees and task forces
• Reviewing institutional data and self-study drafts
• Identifying areas for improvement
• Preparing for off-site review and site visit

The committee represented faculty, staff, administrators and students to ensure broad campus participation.

Subcommittees

Subcommittees focused on key sections of the institutional report, including:

• Meaning, Quality and Integrity of Degrees
• Educational Quality
• Student Success
• Quality Assurance
• Finance

Full membership lists and archived materials available upon request.

Agendas and Minutes

Meeting agendas and minutes from 2016-2017 are archived and available upon request.