Accreditation | Saybrook University

Saybrook University is accredited by the Senior Commission of Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), a regional accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of Education and by the State of California. Saybrook participates in a regularly scheduled re-accreditation process conducted by the Senior Commission of WASC. “The Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities” is responsible for the evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of colleges and universities offering the baccalaureate degree and above in California, Hawaii, Guam, and the Pacific Basin.”

The process requires Saybrook to provide requisite reports to WASC and a series of visits to Saybrook by an independent team selected by WASC. Saybrook underwent a visit from WASC in 2018 and as a result of that visit, WASC reaffirmed Saybrook’s accreditation. Links to the officially approved information about Saybrook that is maintained by WASC and results of the most recent process, including the Site Visit Team Report and the WASC Commission Action Letter, may be found at the bottom of this page.

It is important to note that we cannot address every issue that is identified in the Site Team Report. We will take our cue from the issues listed in the WASC Action Letter. Using that as our starting point, we must develop priorities and a plan that reflects our most pressing needs and our capacity to address those needs. This effort is being coordinated with our Strategic Agenda.

As the Action Letter below notes, Saybrook’s current re-accreditation period began on May 21^st, 2018 where the WASC team engaged in a comprehensive review of Saybrook University. The University was able to obtain re-accreditation for an additional 8 years, subject to a special visit that has been scheduled for November of 2021 to address potential areas of improvement.

Financial Structure Type: Private, Non-profit
Sponsorship or Control Type: No related entity
Academic Calendar: Semester Plan
FTE Student Enrollment, Fall 2020: Undergraduate (0); Graduate (785)
Degree Levels Offered: Masters, Doctoral
Granted Candidacy for Accreditation: 1979
First Accredited by WASC: 1984
Current Accreditation Status: Accredited
Most Recent Commission Action: July 29th, 2018
Upcoming Reviews: Special Visit November 2021
Site Visit: Schedule the next reaffirmation review with the Offsite Review in fall 2025 and the Accreditation Visit in spring 2026

Commission Actions

Saybrook Institutional Reports and WSCUC Communications

Student Achievement

The Office of Institutional Research maintains statistics on enrollment and retention rates of entering students of each program of study (click here). The latest available data in student retention is based on the following definition: Student retention is the percentage of a cohort of new fall term students who are still active or who have graduated the following fall term. Students who are not active for any reason other than graduation (including, but not limited to, leaves of absence and withdrawal) are not retained.

Accreditation by program

M.A. Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Specialization: The M.A. Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Specialization program has been accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) for an 8-year period through October 2026.

Online Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision: The online Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program has been accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) through October 2026.

Saybrook Affiliations

Saybrook University is an affiliate of The Community Solution Education System, a nonprofit system of colleges advancing student success and community impact.