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Accreditation

Accreditation Years

  • Overview



    BYU—Hawaii is committed to continuous improvement in all academic, educational and administrative areas on campus, and has been fully accredited since 1959 by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Being accredited means "the Commission has found that an institution has met or exceeded the expectations of the Standards and the Core Commitments to Institutional Capacity and Educational Effectiveness (WASC website)." Associate Academic Vice-President for Assessment & Accreditation, Rose Ram, serves as the Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) between BYU—Hawaii and the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

    BYU—Hawaii, having had its accreditation reaffirmed by WASC in 2008, is now preparing for its next review for reaffirmation, which will take place during the 2016-2017 academic year.

    Institutional Report Documents




    2017 Reaffirmation Process



    • Chronology of Events
    • Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation Committee (IEAC) members (steering committee)
    • Evaluation of Learning and Effectiveness Group (ELEG) members
    • Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILO)/Core Competency groups
    • Component writing groups

    Update Messages from the ALO



    • October 7, 2015 Accreditation Update

    Feedback



    Please direct any feedback on the documents and processes related to reaffirmation of accreditation to our ALO, Rose Ram, at alo@byuh.edu.

    2017 WSCUC Commission Letter

  • 2016 Institutional Report and Off-Site Review


    In 2016 Brigham Young University-Hawaii completed the Institutional Report and submitted it to WSCUC in July 2016.

    The Off-Site Review was held on September 20, 2016.
  • 2015 Accreditation Verification Letter
  • 2014 WASC Special Visit

    In July 2012, the WASC Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities acted to receive the Special Visit Report and continue with the scheduled comprehensive review to begin in spring 2017. The Commission endorsed the findings of the Special Visit team who found there had been progress in some of the areas of concern, but also saw new issues and concerns arise.

    The Commission requested an Interim Report to be submitted by March 1, 2013, and a Special Visit in spring 2014 to center around the following issues:

    • Ensuring the efficacy of the Bachelor of University Studies degree
    • Achieving financial sustainability and assuring quality programs
    Adapted from the July 2012 WASC Commission Letter

    Key Documents:



    2014 WASC Commission Letter

  • 2013 Interim Report


    After the conclusion of the 2012 Special Visit the WASC Commission (see Commission Action Letter, July 10, 2012) acted to receive the Special Visit Report, continue with the scheduled comprehensive review in 2017, request an Interim Report be submitted by March 1, 2013, request a Special Visit in spring 2014, and suspend the institution's general degree-level approval for new bachelor's degrees.

    The specific action on the 2013 Interim Report stated the following:

    "Request an Interim Report to be submitted by March 1, 2013, verifying that the following actions were taken regarding the Bachelor of University Studies (BUS) degree: modifications to the University catalog providing more complete information about the program, placement of the program under appropriate faculty oversight, establishment of faculty-created program learning outcomes, and statement of requirements for entry into, and completion of, the BUS program."

    The Interim Report was submitted February 27, 2013.
  • 2012 WASC Special Visit

    In June 2008, the WASC Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities reaffirmed BYU-Hawaii's accreditation. The Commission praised BYU-Hawaii for "continuing its history of providing solid educational programs for a very diverse student population and for preparing students well to return to their home countries with employable skills and a vision for making a difference in their world."

    Because the university was in transition, the Commission expressed some concerns and requested a Special Visit in Spring 2012 to evaluate progress on three primary issues:

    • Balancing Financial Priorities with Providing a Strong Educational Experience, Especially for Underserved and Financially Limited Students,
    • Assessment of Learning, and
    • Faculty Scholarship and Faculty Life.
    Adapted from the 2012 Special Visit Report, Introduction

    Key Documents:

    2012 WASC Special Visit Report

    WASC Special Visit 2012 Online Resources

    Visiting Team Roster

    Team Visit & Schedule

    Special Visit Team Report 2012

    2012 WASC Commission Letter

    Letter of Accreditation
  • Educational Effectiveness Review

    The purpose of the Educational Effectiveness Review is to invite sustained engagement and inquiry as to the extent to which BYU—Hawaii fulfills its core commitment to student learning and educational effectiveness. These two main questions are addressed in the Educational Effectiveness Review:

    • Evidence clear and appropriate educational objectives and design at the institutional and program levels?
    • Employ processes of review, including collection and use of data that assure the delivery of programs and learner accomplishments at a level of performance appropriate for the degree awarded?
    Key Documents:

    • Educational Effectiveness Review Team Report (2008)
    • WASC Commission Letter for the Capacity & Preparatory Review
    • EE Review Preparation Items
    • Preliminary Self-Review Under the Standards (Worksheet)
    Team Visit:

      • Visiting Team Roster
      • Visiting Team Bios
      • Accreditation Team Visit & Schedule (March 26 - 28, 2008)

    • To take a look at the Educational Effectiveness Review in pdf format click here

    Letter of Accreditation
  • Capacity & Preparatory Review

    The Capacity & Preparatory Review focuses on BYU—Hawaii's ability to support and sustain its desired educational programs and outcomes.

    Key Documents:

    • Capacity & Preparatory Review Executive Summary (December 2005)
    • Visiting Team Roster
    • Accreditation Team Visit & Schedule
    • Visiting Team Response
    • WASC Commission Letter
    • Preliminary Self-Review Under the Standards (Worksheet)
    To look at the Capacity and Preparatory Review in pdf format click here


    Letter of Accreditation
  • Institutional Proposal

    Institutional Proposal is the first and essential step for engaging BYU—Hawaii in the accreditation review cycle. The proposal ensures that the review process is anchored in BYU—Hawaii's distinctive context and goals.

    Key Documents:

    To look at the Institutional Proposal in pdf format click here


    Time Line

    Themes

Accreditation Resources

Student Achievement
NWCCU Resources
Hawaii Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program
Accreditation Years