The University of Washington is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), one of six regional accrediting organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. According to the NWCCU, regional accreditation is a process of recognizing educational institutions for performance, integrity, and quality; this recognition entitles them to the confidence of the educational community and the public. Accreditation also qualifies the institution and its enrolled students for access to federal funds that support teaching, research, and student financial aid.
When granted, accreditation by the NWCCU is not partial. It applies to the entire UW at the time of the most recent comprehensive evaluation. Accreditation indicates that the institution as a whole is substantially achieving its mission and that it meets the NWCCU’s expectations for compliance with accreditation criteria.
Specialized accreditation
Many undergraduate and graduate programs at UW Tacoma are individually accredited as well. The evaluation of these programs is conducted by a specialized accrediting body, often discipline-specific and associated with a national professional organization. Though each of these organizations may have different definitions of eligibility, criteria for accreditation, and operating procedures, accreditation by a specialized accrediting agency is one means of assuring quality of the accredited programs.
