Western Association of Schools and Colleges

At its meeting on February 20-22, 2008 the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities acted to place Claremont School of Theology on Probation. This action was taken following a special visit to Claremont School of Theology, which took place November 11-14, 2007 and included a representative of the Association of Theological Schools. The action followed a decision in November 2006 to require the School to “show cause” why its accreditation should not be removed. The Commission found that as a result of progress made that the institution had shown cause to retain its accreditation.

There will be a Special Visit in fall 2008 to review the School’s progress in addressing Commission concerns. The Commission reviewed Claremont School of Theology under the WASC 2001 Handbook of Accreditation and found that while progress was being made, the School was not in compliance with elements of Standard 3 (Developing and Applying Resources and Organizational Structures to Ensure Sustainability), and 4 (Creating an Organization Committed to Learning and Improvement).

Probation is imposed when an institution has been found to have serious issues of noncompliance with one or more of the Commission Standards. While on Probation, the institution is subject to special scrutiny and any new site or degree program is subject to review through WASC’s substantive change process.

The Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities accredits 157 baccalaureate and graduate degree-granting institutions in California, Hawaii, Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of seven regional accrediting commissions and is recognized by the United States Department of Education.

This statement has been reviewed and approved by the institution.

March 4, 2008