Accreditation at Heritage University

Accreditation at Heritage University

Heritage University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Regional accreditation of postsecondary institutions is a voluntary process of quality assurance and institutional improvement. It qualifies institutions and enrolled students for access to federal funds to support teaching, research, and student financial aid.

The NWCCU Standards for Accreditation support the organization’s mission to accredit institutions of higher education on a seven-year cycle by applying evidence-informed standards and processes to support continuous improvements and promote student achievement and success. The Standards for Accreditation define the quality, effectiveness, and continuous improvements expected of accredited institutions. The Standards serve as indicators by which institutions are evaluated by peers through a process of self-reflection and evaluation that blends analysis and synthesis into a holistic examination of the institution’s ability to fulfill its unique mission, deliver quality education, and promote student achievement.

Standard One: Student Success and Institutional Mission and Effectiveness
Standard Two: Governance, Resources, and Capacity

Heritage College began granting academic credit on July 1, 1982, as successor to Fort Wright College of the Holy Names in Spokane, Washington, which closed on June 30, 1982. In 2004, Heritage College was designated Heritage University. Heritage College received accreditation June 16, 1986, retroactive to September 1, 1985.

The next self-study mid-cycle report (Policies, Regulations, and Financial Review is due March 1, 2025. The Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness self-study report is due Spring of 2026.

In addition to regional accreditation, separate programs at Heritage are accredited as follows:

Education: State of Washington approval through the Professional Education Standards Board (PESB) has been granted to the following education programs: Residency Teacher; and Residency Principal/Program Administrator. Accreditation is reaffirmed annually.

Nursing: The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Heritage University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. The program was reaffirmed accreditation in March 2023 for 10 years.  It was also approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing, in January 2018.

Social Work: The Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) effective with the class of 1997. The program was re-accredited in 2019 for 8 years.

Institutional Data

Current data coming soon! Watch this space for updates.

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement

Heritage University is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). As of July 1, 2020, the federal requirements for state authorization of postsecondary institutions (https://federalregister.gov/d/2019-23129) have been updated to include disclosure of professional licensure requirements. Heritage’s disclosure information, by program and by state, are below for reference:

Accounting

Nursing

Bachelor of Social Work

Master of Social Work

Teacher Preparation, Endorsements, and Principal Certification

Since July 1, 2011, the U.S. Department of Education regulations to improve the integrity of programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA), as amended (the “program Integrity Rule”) have been in place.

Internal Grievance Procedures

Student Consumer Complaint Process

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Email us at accreditation@heritage.edu with questions.