It’s official! After months of preparations, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) has accredited Bastyr University's new campus in San Diego. The NWCCU is an institutional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
“To be the first and only accredited naturopathic medicine university in California is an accomplishment of which we are immensely proud,” said Bastyr University President Daniel K. Church, PhD. “Accreditation ensures that we will provide the same quality educational experience at our San Diego campus as we do at our main campus in Kenmore.”
According to the NWCCU website, academic institutions that receive accreditation are:
“…distinguished by their demonstrated ability to meet broadly accepted higher education standards of quality. The value of accreditation is not limited to quality assurance alone. Accreditation also fosters public confidence in the institution's ability to fulfill its stated mission and goals, facilitates student mobility between institutions, and enhances an institution's credibility with its peers. It provides effective mechanisms for creating institutional vision and enhancing programmatic and financial viability and effectiveness.”
“Accreditation sets us apart from myriad other institutions who focus on natural health,” added Dr. Church. “It gives Bastyr University credibility that other schools do not have and solidifies our standing as the place to go for students interested in becoming licensed naturopathic primary care physicians.”
Bastyr University’s Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program is also accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), a specialized accrediting board recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Admissions for Bastyr University California are ongoing. Prospective students can contact the Bastyr University Office of Admissions for more information. Bastyr University California is scheduled to open in fall 2012.
About Bastyr University
Bastyr University, located near Seattle, Washington, is internationally recognized as a pioneer in natural medicine. As the largest accredited university for natural health arts and sciences in the U.S., Bastyr offers more than 17 degree and certificate programs in fields such as naturopathic medicine, acupuncture & Oriental medicine, and whole-food nutrition. Founded in 1978, the University now includes a leading-edge research facility (the Bastyr University Research Institute) and outstanding clinical training at Bastyr Center for Natural Health. The University’s second campus, Bastyr University California, opened in San Diego, California, in fall 2012, becoming the state’s first and only accredited school of naturopathic medicine.