NWCCU Accreditation Process

In 2020 the Commission introduced a revised set of accreditation standards for the seven-year accreditation cycle. The revised standards focus on two critical areas. Standard One examines Student Success and Institutional Mission and Effectiveness. Standard Two covers Governance, Resources, and Capacity.

The standards frame a comprehensive analysis of the University's ability to provide a quality education within the context of its mission and values as represented in its core themes. The Standards are explained in depth on the NWCCU Standards for Accreditation webpage.

Accreditation reports are submitted in year one, year three, and year seven. In the University's current accreditation cycle, reports have been or will be submitted according to the following schedule:

• The Year-one report addresses the NWCCU Standard One, Mission and Core Themes. Gonzaga submitted a Year-One report in the Spring of 2015. View the 2015 report.
• The Year-Three report, called a Mid-Cycle Review, examines an institution's assessment planning process, provides examples of student learning, and addresses readiness in moving toward the Year-Seven self-study. Gonzaga submitted a Mid-Cycle Review in the Spring of 2017. View the 2017 report.
• The Year-Seven self-study is a comprehensive evaluation of all of the NWCCU’s five standards and covers multiple aspects of the University's operations across academic and non-academic areas. Gonzaga’s previous Year-Seven evaluation was in the Spring of 2014. View the 2014 report.
• Gonzaga's Year-Seven comprehensive evaluation took place in the Spring of 2021. View the 2021 report
• The Mid-Cycle Evaluation Report examines an institution's Mission fulfillment, student achievement, programmatic assessment, and readiness in moving toward the Year-Seven self-study. Gonzaga submitted a Mid-Cycle Review in March 2024. View the 2024 Report