Accreditation Information

The Chicago School has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) since 2011. To learn more about WSCUC, please see their contact information below. Click here to view our Statement of Accreditation Status.

WASC Senior College and University Commission
1080 Marina Village Parkway
Suite 500
Alameda, CA 94501
Phone: 510-748-9001
Fax: 510-748-9797

Reaffirmation of Accreditation 2027

Preparation – Fall 2023

The Chicago School began preparing for this report in Fall 2023 by establishing the WSCUC Reaffirmation Steering Committee (RSC) to guide the institution through affirmation processes. The WSCUC RSC is chaired by the Associate Vice President of Accreditation/ALO, Licensure, & State Authorization and is comprised of individuals who are responsible for organizing and coordinating the reaffirmation & self-evaluation process.

In Spring 2024, members from the WSCUC RSC and others working on the Institutional Report (IR) attended a training session to review the WSCUC reaffirmation process and the various components linked to four WSCUC Standards and 39 Criteria for Review (CFRs). These components address themes of continuous improvement, capacity of an institution, and educational effectiveness.

Through Summer and Fall 2024, members from the WSCUC RSC and individuals with subject area expertise used a highly collaborative process to conduct a self-study which evaluates the institutions adherence the 39 Criteria for Review. Teams recorded the outcome of their analysis which Team Leaders then used to conduct a SWOT analysis which identified key themes to explore in the IR.

Institutional Report – Winter 2025

In Winter 2025, members from the WSCUC RSC began writing the Institutional Report informed by the themes identified in the self-study. The team used a highly collaborative writing process which connects with subject area experts across the organization. This time-consuming process ensures accuracy when summarizing the themes, and when identifying evidence and other data points. The team is incorporating an iterative review process connecting with an experience-rich interorganizational group with expertise in WSCUC accreditation for feedback on ways to strengthen the IR. The team is continuing to refine and review the IR in anticipation of submitting in Fall 2027.

Accreditation Review – Spring 2027

The Chicago School is planning for a tentative accreditation review in Spring 2027. This will include an Offsite Review conducted by a team who reviewed the Institutional Report and accompanying documents, followed by an Onsite Review for all campuses at The Chicago School. The Offsite and Onsite Reviews evaluate the institution on its compliance with the WSCUC Standards and informs the final outcome of the subsequent WSCUC Panel review. All activities are tentatively scheduled for Spring and Summer 2027.

Archive of Accreditation Activities

Reaffirmation of Accreditation 2017

The Chicago School submitted an Institutional Report (self-study) in the Fall 2016. To review the report, please click here. On October 4, 2016, The Chicago School had its Offsite Review. The evaluation team commended the institution for its accomplishments and practices, and identified six lines of inquiry that may be pursued during the accreditation visit.

In Spring 2017, the site team visited the D.C., Anaheim, Chicago, and Los Angeles campuses to meet with The Chicago School representatives to follow up on preliminary findings of the offsite review concerning both compliance and improvement. At the conclusion of the onsite review, the team provided six commendations and five recommendations.

On June 22, 2017, representatives from The Chicago School met with the commission to discuss the outcome of our reaffirmation process that ended March 2017, with the Los Angeles Campus site visit. The commission voted to receive the team report, reaffirm our accreditation status for 10 years, and requested an interim report in spring 2022, to address the team’s recommendations. You can read the WSCUC letter to The Chicago School here.

Interim Report to WSCUC 2022

As part of our reaffirmation, a required interim report was submitted in spring 2022. You can read the report to WSCUC here.

Student Outcomes and Achievement

Integrating theory, professional practice, and innovation, The Chicago School provides an excellent education for careers in psychology and related behavioral and health sciences. The school is committed to service and embraces the diverse communities of our society.

The mission guides the implementation of the Institutional Learning Outcomes and Program Learning Outcomes. Our institutional learning outcomes for students completing our degree programs are:

• Professional Practice: Graduates will be able to demonstrate attainment in the areas of competency (as reflected in knowledge, skills, and attitudes) required by their area of education and training. Examples include evaluation, intervention, consultation, teaching, and supervision.
• Diversity: Graduates will respect the value and dignity of individuals and groups across all cultural contexts, and advocate for inclusion and equity. They will demonstrate intercultural competence in domestic and international contexts with people who have ideas, beliefs, worldviews, experiences, and behaviors that are different from their own.
• Professional Behavior: Graduates will be able to demonstrate by their values, beliefs, and behaviors adherence to the highest ethical and professional standards in their personal and professional lives.
• Scholarship: Graduates will be able to integrate scientific research and theory, as broadly defined, to enhance their scholarly and professional endeavors.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The Chicago School Student Achievement Metrics 2025

To view each program’s learning outcomes, please visit the Programs of Study in the Academic Catalog.  

Accreditation

Accredited Programs

*Indicates renewal date 

**Accredited with a Notice of Concern

Approved Programs

*Indicates renewal date 

Programs Seeking or Preparing to Seek Accreditation

*There is no guarantee that an applicant program will be granted accreditation. 

To see State Authorization Disclosure and Status information, click here. 

The Chicago School Affiliations and Recognitions

The Chicago School is a community within The Community Solution Education System, an integrated, nonprofit system that works collaboratively to advance institutional sustainability, student success, and community impact. 

This page was last updated May 2025.