UoPeople Receives WSCUC Accreditation Eligibility

[Pasadena, CA. March 12, 2020] – University of the People (UoPeople) has been diligently working with the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) on an application for accreditation and are very excited to be able to announce our eligibility to proceed with the accreditation process.

“We look forward to working with WASC in this process to continue to showcase our high standards and exceptional quality,” said President Shai Reshef.

The University of the People has applied for Eligibility from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). WSCUC has reviewed the application and determined that the institution is eligible to proceed with an Application for Accreditation. A determination of Eligibility is not a formal status with the WASC Senior College and University Commission, nor does it ensure eventual accreditation. It is a preliminary finding that the institution is potentially accreditable and can proceed within five years of its Eligibility determination to be reviewed for Candidacy or Initial Accreditation status with the Commission. Questions about Eligibility may be directed to the institution or to WSCUC at www.wscuc.org/contact or (510) 748-9001.

University of the People is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

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Media Contact:

Carrie Gray, Vice President of Public Relations, University of the People

(516) 967-4729, carrie.gray@uopeople.edu

About WASC

The WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) is a regional accrediting agency serving a diverse membership of public and private higher education institutions throughout California, Hawaii, and the Pacific as well as a limited number of institutions outside the U.S. Through its work of peer review, based on standards agreed to by the membership, the WSCUC encourages continuous institutional improvement and assures the membership and its constituencies, including the public, that accredited institutions are fulfilling their missions in service to their students and the public good. You can learn more at www.wscuc.org.

About University of the People

University of the People (UoPeople) is the Education Revolution. It is the first non-profit, tuition-free, American accredited online university. Boasting more than 17,000 students enrolled in its ten-year history, UoPeople is designed to open access to higher education globally by helping qualified high school graduates overcome financial, geographic, political, and personal constraints keeping them from collegiate studies. UoPeople relies on its use of open-source technology, Open Educational Resources and the assistance of 7,000 volunteers. The university offers two-year associate’s and four-year bachelor’s degree programs in business administration, computer science, and health science as well as an MBA and M.Ed. program. UoPeople partners with New York University (NYU), University of California (UC) Berkeley, and The University of Edinburgh to accept students. UoPeople also partners with educational foundations including the International Baccalaureate (IB) for the Master’s of Education. The university is supported by The Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Foundation Hoffmann, and companies such as HP, Google, Microsoft, Intel, Western Union, Estee Lauder and many more. Learn more at uopeople.edu.

About UoPeople President Shai Reshef

President and founder of University of the People, Shai Reshef is an educational entrepreneur, with over 25 years of experience in the international education market. President Reshef has been widely recognized for his work with UoPeople. In 2010, the Huffington Post named him the “Ultimate Game Changer in Education,” and WIRED included him in its list of the “50 People who will Change the World.” He was named one of Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People in Business” as well as a “Top Global Thinker” by Foreign Policy Magazine. Before founding University of the People, Reshef directed KIT e-learning, the first online university in Europe. Shai Reshef’s TED Talk has reached over 5 million viewers.