Washington Adventist University Receives Full Accreditation for the Next Five Years

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) has reaffirmed the continuing accreditation of Washington Adventist University (WAU) for the maximum allowable period of five years. This outcome is evidence that WAU is a higher education institution of excellence, having demonstrated that it has met and often exceeded the seven Middle States Commission on Higher Education Standards of Accreditation and Affiliation. WAU is fulfilling its obligation to offer institutional excellence to our students, parents and the entire WAU constituency. Our students’ overwhelming distinctive success was the major convincing evidence for this accreditation process outcome.

MSCHE is an institutional accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education that serves as an independent voice in higher education. MSCHE establishes equitable standards for accreditation with member institutions that advance the impact of accreditation in the ever-changing landscape of higher education and promotes educational excellence through innovation across diverse institutions. As an institutional accreditor, MSCHE requires evaluation of all aspects of the institution holistically, including the modality of instruction and everything that was done in the name of the institution, including all academic programs and services.

It is a joy to congratulate the entire WAU learning community and the Board of Trustees for the roles they played in preparation for the self-study and the peer evaluation site visit. This was over a year-long process to clearly document how the university was fulfilling the alignment of our Mission and Vision with MSCHE identified standards. Special recognition to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Compliance for leading and monitoring the entire reaffirmation of accreditation process with MSCHE.

My friends, it is now time to celebrate and recognize this WAU accomplishment. The fact is WAU, an Adventist faith-based institution located near the nation’s capital is identified as an institution of high quality. We are committed to making this excellence in higher education affordable to the members of the Columbia Union and continue to implement bold Vision 2030 goals of distinctive excellence in student success. Please help us share the excellence of WAU and the outstanding outcomes of our valued students. Student outcomes continue to be the measure of our quality and excellence. Every day we are engaging minds and transforming lives. We are partnering with each student for them to graduate on time with little or no debt, ready for the workplace and eternity. A parent of a freshman mentioned to me recently, “I need to share with other parents the good news that WAU is an excellent place for our children.”

This is Washington Adventist University.

Weymouth Spence President