Does the Commission authorize colleges and universities to operate in California?
The California Postsecondary EducationCommission is required under State law to review and approve proposals for new public institutions of higher education. These reviews are to ensure that new university and college campuses and off-campus centers are developed in accordance with state-wide needs and priorities. However, the Commission does not directly authorize colleges and universities to operate in California. Both the federal government and the states rely upon “accrediting agencies” (private educational associations that develop criteria and conduct peer evaluations to assess whether or not those criteria are met) as an indication of the quality of education offered by American schools and colleges. Colleges and universities must be accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Secretary of Education in order for it or its students to receive federal funds. In California, the regional accrediting entity is the Western Association of School and Colleges (WASC). For fur
The California Postsecondary EducationCommission is required under State law to review and approve proposals for new public institutions of higher education. These reviews are to ensure that new university and college campuses and off-campus centers are developed in accordance with state-wide needs and priorities. However, the Commission does not directly authorize colleges and universities to operate in California. Both the federal government and the states rely upon “accrediting agencies” (private educational associations that develop criteria and conduct peer evaluations to assess whether or not those criteria are met) as an indication of the quality of education offered by American schools and colleges. Colleges and universities must be accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Secretary of Education in order for it or its students to receive federal funds. In California, the regional accrediting entity is the Western Association of School and Colleges (WASC). For fur
