Brigham Young University–Hawaii is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510.748.9001. Associate academic vice president for assessment and curriculum, Rosalind "Rose" Ram, serves as the accreditation liaison officer (ALO) between BYUH, and WSCUC.

For more information about the WSCUC statement of accreditation status on Brigham Young University–Hawaii, please visit the WSCUC website.

Change in Accrediting Agencies to NWCCU

Brigham Young University–Hawaii is applying to join the same accrediting agency as the other institutions in the Church Educational System (CES). For BYU–Hawaii, this involves a transition from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Other CES institutions accredited by NWCCU include Brigham Young University (BYU), BYU-Idaho, and Ensign College.

WSCUC and NWCCU have similar standards in many ways, but the organization and terminology of these standards differ. Similar to WSCUC, NWCCU prioritizes the fulfillment of an institution’s distinct mission, and the priorities of BYU–Hawaii align well with the two major NWCCU standards of 1) student success and institutional mission and effectiveness; and 2) governance, resources, and capacity.

This proposed change in accrediting agencies would facilitate the efforts of CES institutions to “work as a system” more effectively. For cross-institutional collaboration and professional development on governance standards, student learning assessment, and student achievement, having all CES institutions in one accrediting body would be helpful.

With all accreditation liaison officers at CES schools working on the same accreditation standards, there would also be more opportunities for mentoring and sharing best practices. In addition, the Commissioner’s Office would be available to provide stronger accreditation support for BYU–Hawaii as it works on the same accreditation standards.

Both NWCCU and WSCUC are aware and supportive of this recommended change, and BYU–Hawaii will submit their application to NWCCU in 2024.