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 and 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 for those eligible to receive educational benefits under Title 38 and Title 10, U.S. Code.
School of Business, Government, and Economics
The graduate and undergraduate business programs in the School of Business, Government, and Economics are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International.
School of 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).
School of Health Sciences
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.
School of Psychology, Family, and Community
In the School of Psychology, Family, and Community, the MS in Marriage and Family Therapy is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. The PhD in Clinical Psychology is nationally accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).
School of Theology
Seattle Pacific Seminary (SPS) has regional accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The school is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), 10 Summit Park Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1110; phone: 412-788-6505.
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.