NWCCU Accreditation Standards and Disclosure Statement

NWCCU Accreditation Standards and Policies

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) is the regional authority on educational quality and institutional effectiveness of higher education institutions in the seven-state Northwest region of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. The Commission establishes accreditation criteria and evaluation procedures that are used to review institutions of higher education in the region.

The Commission oversees accreditation for 163 institutions in the states listed above. The twenty-six commissioners at NWCCU represent the public, and the diversity of higher education institutions within the Northwest region. You can find more information about the commission, including accreditation policies, on NWCCU website. 

NWCCU's Acreditation Standards

Standard One: Mission, Core Themes, and Expectations 

Standard Two: Resources and Capacity

Standard Three: Planning and Implementation

Standard Four:Effectiveness and Improvement

Standard Five: Mission Fulfillment, Adaptability and Sustainability

NWCCU Disclosure Statement

Lane Community College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

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:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
8060 165th Avenue N.E., Suite 100
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 558-4224
www.nwccu.org