Accreditation

The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC) accredits community colleges and other associate degree-granting institutions in the Western region of the U.S. The ACCJC is one of seven regional accrediting commissions in the U.S. The ACCJC is authorized by the U.S. Department of Education through the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008.

Accreditation Process

Berkeley City College maintains accreditation by meeting standards established by the ACCJC. Over the course of the (previously six-year) now seven-year accreditation review cycle, the College engages continuously in internal, mission-driven evaluation processes. These are accompanied by regular external peer evaluation and Commission evaluation. Together, these result in continual institutional self-improvement. Documents produced during this cycle include: a comprehensive institutional self-evaluation report (ISER), external evaluation report, midterm report, annual reports, and annual fiscal reports.

Berkeley City College completed an ISER during the 2020-21 year. This was followed by a site visit in Spring 2021 comprising external peer evaluators under the leadership of the ACCJC. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this 2021 site visit was conducted virtually. Faculty, classified staff, administrators, and students contributed to the gathering of evidence, writing of the ISER, and preparation for the site visit.

Accreditation throughout higher education in the United States is grounded in peer review. At Berkeley City College, accreditation is a process by which the entire college community engages in self-reflection, external review, and continuous improvement.  At Berkeley City College, accreditation is an ongoing process whereby the college evaluates itself against professional standards and its own mission, vision, and values (MVV). It also considers the integrity and effectiveness of institutional processes and resource utilization, all of which are in the service of student learning and achievement. External accreditors offer assurance to students and the public that Berkeley City College meets high standards of institutional effectiveness and educational quality.

The Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER) is an important document in the accreditation process and provides a comprehensive overview of the institution, compliance with accreditation standards and relevant regulations, and improvement plans. The ISER is submitted to ACCJC in advance of an accreditation site visit.

Accreditation Site Visit (Virtual): March 1 – 4, 2021
A team comprising peer external reviewers and led by ACCJC representatives will conduct a virtual site visit of Berkeley City College in spring 2021. All interested parties are invited to submit comments about Berkeley City College to the ACCJC ahead of the site visit by completing a third-party comment form on the ACCJC website.

Accreditation Peer Review Visiting Team Members
Berkeley City College will be hosting the Accreditation Peer Review Visiting Team, virtually, during spring 2021. This is a team of professional peers from community colleges and other institutions of higher education located throughout the region. Visiting team members review Berkeley City College’s Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER) and accompanying documents, conduct interviews with campus groups, and provide insight and support to advance institutional effectiveness and student learning and achievement. 

Open Forums During the Site Visit
All community members are welcome to attend one of two Open Forums. These are available for participants to share views with and ask questions of the ACCJC Peer Review Team.

Berkeley City College Accreditation Resources
PowerPoint slides of Dr. Stephanie Droker’s Presentation
Accreditation Day #1 Outcomes
Accreditation Day #2 Updates

The BCC Accreditation Steering Committee is responsible for producing required reports and guiding the campus through the accreditation process. Institutional leadership, including the College President and Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO), maintain Berkeley City College’s compliance with the Eligibility Requirements (ERs) and Accreditation Standards, including federal requirements, Commission policies, and Berkeley City College’s Mission, Vision, and Values. This committee supports these endeavors.

Committee Meetings
Meeting Days: Mondays opposite Roundtable
Time: 12:20 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: 4th Flr, Rm 451A/B (via Zoom in case of campus closure)

Accreditation Day 1

Accreditation Day 2
  – PowerPoint presentation

Accreditation Day 3
  – PowerPoint presentation

BCC Accreditation Guide

These questions and answers are meant to provide basic information about regional accreditation to college staff and students.

View as a PDF here 

ACCJC Annual Reports

• Annual Report 2022
• Annual Report 2021 
• Annual Report 2020
• Annual Report 2019
• Annual Report 2018

ACCJC provides a process for third parties to comment on an institution’s compliance with accrediting standards. More information is available at the the ACCJC Third Party Comment website.