The history of the growth of Seattle Pacific University is linked to the educational community of which it is a part. In successive steps from 1921 to 1937, the University was accredited by the Washington State Board of Education. Since 1936, the University has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Seattle Pacific is included on the approved list of the American Council on Education and Board of Regents of the State of New York. The University is also a charter member of the Christian College Consortium and a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, and its credits are recognized by members of the various regional associations and by leading graduate schools throughout the country.
The University is approved by the U.S. government for education of veterans and their dependents under the applicable public laws.
Public notice — Accreditation
The public is invited to provide commentary and statements on the qualifications of Seattle Pacific University as an accredited institution. Seattle Pacific University will be visited by a team of evaluators May 3–5, 2023, as part of its institutional accreditation process and comprehensive Year Seven Evaluation. Seattle Pacific University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and has been accredited by the NWCCU since 1936. The University was most recently reaffirmed in 2019 on the basis of a Mid-Cycle Evaluation.
Comments may be sent directly to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities by email at info@nwccu.org, by mail at 8060 165th Ave NE, Suite 100, Redmond, WA 98052, or by phone at 425-558-4224. Comments are considered by the evaluation committee with regard to an institution’s qualification for accreditation. Signed comments must be received by April 23, 2023, and will be forwarded to Seattle Pacific University, the members of the evaluation committee, and members of the Commission on Colleges.
More information on the accreditation standards and process is available either via the Standards and Policies and links on the commission’s website (nwccu.org), or by contacting the commission office directly.
Arts and Sciences
The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is approved by the Association of Writers and Writing Programs.
Business and Economics
The business programs (both graduate and undergraduate) in the School of Business and Economics are accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International.
Education
The University is a member of the Association of American Colleges and Universities and of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. Our certification programs are approved by the Washington state Professional Educator Standards Board. The School of Education is also a member of the Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education, and has a chapter, Sigma Phi Upsilon, of Chi Sigma Iota, an international honor society that values academic and professional excellence in counseling.
Electrical Engineering
The Electrical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Health Sciences
The Undergraduate Nursing curriculum is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, and both the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission recognizes Seattle Pacific's nurse practitioner program for licensure. All graduate nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Music
Seattle Pacific's Music program is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). It also maintains membership with the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME) and the Washington University Music Administrators Association (WUMA). The Music Therapy program is accredited by the American Music Therapy Association.
Psychology, Family, and Community
Seattle Pacific's MS in Marriage and Family Therapy is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. The PhD in Clinical Psychology is nationally accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).
Theology
Seattle Pacific Seminary (SPS) has regional accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). SPS has associate membership with the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). In addition, various denominations have approved SPS for their ordination candidates, including the Free Methodist Church (SPS is an affiliated institution of the John Wesley Seminary Foundation grant program of the Free Methodist Church), the United Methodist Church, the Seattle Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Evangelical Covenant Church. SPS has faculty ordained in those denominations who serve as liaison officers to them.