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 1933, the University has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
The University is also a charter member of the Christian College Consortium, the Association of Free Methodist Educational Institutions, and a member 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.
Business and Government
The business programs (both graduate and undergraduate) in the
School of Business and Economics
are accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International.
Education
Our certification programs are approved by the Washington state Professional Educator Standards Board. The
School of Education
is also a member of the Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education.
Engineering
The Electrical, General, and Mechanical Engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Nursing
The Undergraduate Nursing curriculum is approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
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 Educators (NAfME) and the Washington University Music Administrators Association (WUMA).
Psychology
Seattle Pacific's MS in Marriage and Family Therapy is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). The PhD in Clinical Psychology is nationally accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).
Theology
Seattle Pacific Seminary
is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). In addition, various denominations have approved SPS for their ordination candidates, including the Free Methodist Church (SPS is an affiliated institution of the John Wesley Seminary Foundation grant program of the Free Methodist Church), the United Methodist Church, the Seattle Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Evangelical Covenant Church. SPS has faculty ordained in those denominations who serve as liaison officers to them.