University Accreditation
PNWU’s status with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) is as an applicant. The application for consideration for candidacy was approved by NWCCU in June 2009. PNWU has a regional accreditation steering committee that has developed the framework by which the self-evaluation is being conducted and the candidacy self-evaluation report is being written. Submission of the report will occur in February 2012 and the first onsite evaluation by NWCCU will be April 2012. The findings of the report and onsite evaluation will be considered at the July 2012 NWCCU commission meetings.
Timeline toward regional accreditation:
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December 2011 |
Public Notification and Third Party Comments Regarding Full-Scale Evaluation |
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February 2012 |
Candidacy self-evaluation report submitted to NWCCU |
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April 23-25, 2012 |
Candidacy onsite evaluation conducted by NWCCU |
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July 2012 |
NWCCU Commission Meetings—decision made regarding candidacy for PNWU |
Contact information for NWCCU:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities8060 165th Avenue N.E., Suite 100
Redmond, WA 98052
Phone: 425-558-4224
Fax: 425-376-0596
http://www.nwccu.org/
College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) Accreditation
PNWU-COM currently holds provisional accreditation with the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (AOA COCA). This is the highest status a COM can achieve prior to graduating its first class of osteopathic medical students. The most recent PNWU-COM self-study report was submitted in December 2011, and the COCA comprehensive accreditation onsite survey will occur in February 2012. The self-study report and the visiting team report from the February 2012 onsite survey will be considered at the COCA April 2012 commission meetings. If PNWU-COM is found to substantially meet all COCA Standards, PNWU-COM will be granted accreditation and will be notified prior to the inaugural class graduating on May 12, 2012.
PNWU-COM accreditation history with the AOA COCA:
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February 16, 2005 |
PNWU is founded as a 501 (c)3 corporation. |
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November 7, 2005 |
PNWU-COM is granted applicant status from the American Osteopathic Association, Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (AOA COCA). |
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June 14, 2006 |
PNWU-COM submits application and feasibility study to AOA COCA. |
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March 6, 2007 |
Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) authorizes PNWU to offer the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).* |
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April 2007 |
AOA COCA grants pre-accreditation status to PNWU-COM. |
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August 2007 |
Initial Provisional Accreditation granted to PNWU-COM by AOA COCA, establishing class size and the right to solicit applications from and admit students, offer medical instruction within the approved osteopathic medical curriculum, and announce its provisional accreditation status. |
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May 2009 |
Continuing Provisional Accreditation granted by the AOA COCA following the review of the PNWU-COM self-study report and the report from the onsite visit conducted January 28-30, 2009. |
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May 2010 |
Provisional Accreditation granted by the AOA COCA following the review of the PNWU-COM self-study report and the report from the onsite visit conducted March 10-12, 2010. |
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May 2011 |
Provisional Accreditation granted by the AOA COCA following the review of the PNWU-COM self-study report and the report from the onsite visit conducted February 16-18, 2011. |
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May 2011 |
COCA comprehensive accreditation site visit requested by PNWU-COM. |
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February 22-24, 2012 |
The AOA COCA will direct a full onsite visit. Based on the PNWU-COM self-study report and the report from the onsite visit, the COCA, at its annual meeting, will decide accreditation status for PNWU-COM. |
December 2011 PNWU-COM Self-Study Report
Contact information for the AOA COCA:
American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation
142 E. Ontario St.
Chicago, IL 60611-2864
Toll-free phone: 800-621-1773
General phone: 312-202-8000
Fax: 312-202-8200
email: predoc@osteopathic.org
http://www.osteopathic.org/inside-aoa/accreditation/predoctoral%20accreditation/Pages/default.aspx
*Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences is authorized by the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) and meets the requirements and minimum educational standards established for degree-granting institutions under the Degree-Granting Institutions Act. This authorization is subject to periodic review and authorizes Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences to offer the following degree program: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Authorization by the HECB does not carry with it an endorsement by the board of the institution or its programs. Any person desiring information about the requirements of the act or the applicability of those requirements to the institution may contact the HECB at P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430