Accreditation and Affiliation

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 Board of Regents of the State of New York and is a member of the Association of American Colleges & Universities and of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. The University is also a charter member of the Christian College Consortium and a collaborative partner 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 and by the Washington Student Achievement Council’s State Approving Agency (SAA) for enrollment of those eligible to receive educational benefits under Title 38 and Title 10, U.S. Code.

Business, Government, and Economics

The business programs (undergraduate and graduate) in the School of Business, Government, and Economics are accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International.

Dietetics

The nutrition and dietetics major in the food and nutritional sciences program is approved as a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. SPU's Internship and Dietetics Internship Program has been granted pre-accreditation in Nutrition and Dietetics by ACEND.

Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics, qualifies the student for a verification statement from the program director and eligibility to apply for ACEND-accredited dietetic internships, leading to eligibility to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians. 

Education

The School of Education is accredited by the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB). PESB is responsible for policy and oversight of Washington state's system of educator preparation, certification, continuing education, and assignment. The Program Effectiveness and Policy team of PESB regulates educator preparation programs within the School of Education, which is authorized to certify teachers, principals, program administrators, superintendents, and school counselors.

The Center for Professional Education is also approved to offer professional development for educators, additional teaching endorsements, and professional certificates. In addition, the School Counseling MEd program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Engineering

The Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

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 Education (NAfME) and the Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA). The Music Therapy program is accredited by the American Music Therapy Association.

Nursing

Seattle Pacific’s BSN and DNP programs are approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Seattle Pacific University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Theology

Seattle Pacific’s School of Theology is a member institution of the Association of Free Methodist Educational Institutions and is approved by the Free Methodist Church and other denominations for the collegiate preparation of ministers.