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Statement of Accreditation Status

Pennsylvania Western University

  • CEO: Dr. James Fisher, Interim President
  • Accreditation Liaison Officer: Dr. Susanne Fenske
  • Commission Staff Liaison: Kathy Feith, Vice President
  • Carnegie Classification: Professions-focused Undergraduate/Graduate-Doctorate Medium » No research designation
  • Control: Public
  • Former Name(s): California State College (7/1/1983) California University of Pennsylvania (6/30/2022)
  • Phase: Accredited
  • Status: Accreditation Reaffirmed
  • Accreditation Granted: 1951
  • Last Reaffirmation: June 26, 2025
  • Next Self-Study Evaluation: 2032-2033

Contact Information

250 University Avenue
California, PA 15419-1394

(724) 938-4000

https://www.pennwest.edu/

  • September 4, 2026
    Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report requested by the Commission action of June 26, 2025.
  • June 26, 2025
    To acknowledge receipt of the self-study report. To reaffirm accreditation. To note the on-site evaluation visit by Commission representatives to the main campus at 250 University Avenue, California, PA 15419 on March 9-12, 2025. To note the following additional locations were visited: (1) 219 Meadville Street, Edinboro, PA 16444 and (2) 840 Wood Street, Clarion, PA 16214. To request a supplemental information report, due August 3, 2026, providing further evidence of multi-year, long-range financial models that include realistic enrollment projections and the assumptions on which they are based to support sustainable financial stability (Standard VI) (Fourteenth Edition and Evidence Expectations by Standard Guidelines). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2032-2033.
  • October 24, 2024
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close the additional location at 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 that ceased operations effective July 1, 2022. To remove the additional location from the institution's scope of accreditation. To note that the Commission reserves the right to rescind this action if any developments reveal additional information that might have affected the Commission's decision.
  • October 24, 2024
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close the additional location at 4 Erie Avenue, Suite 2000, Saint Mary's, PA, 15857 that ceased operations effective July 1, 2022. To remove the additional location from the institution's scope of accreditation. To note that the Commission reserves the right to rescind this action if any developments reveal additional information that might have affected the Commission's decision.
  • October 24, 2024
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close the additional location at 131 Columbus Inner Belt, New Castle, PA 16101 that ceased operations effective July 1, 2022. To remove the additional location from the institution's scope of accreditation. To note that the Commission reserves the right to rescind this action if any developments reveal additional information that might have affected the Commission's decision.
  • October 24, 2024
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close the additional location at College Drive, Butler, PA 16003 that ceased operations effective July 1, 2022. To remove the additional location from the institution's scope of accreditation. To note that the Commission reserves the right to rescind this action if any developments reveal additional information that might have affected the Commission's decision.
  • October 24, 2024
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close the additional location at 701 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 that ceased operations effective July 1, 2022. To remove the additional location from the institution's scope of accreditation. To note that the Commission reserves the right to rescind this action if any developments reveal additional information that might have affected the Commission's decision.
  • October 24, 2024
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close the additional location at 751 Liberty Street, Meadville, PA 16335 that ceased operations effective July 1, 2022. To remove the additional location from the institution's scope of accreditation. To note that the Commission reserves the right to rescind this action if any developments reveal additional information that might have affected the Commission's decision.
  • October 24, 2024
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close the additional location at 102 Equity Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601 that ceased operations effective July 1, 2022. To remove the additional location from the institution's scope of accreditation. To note that the Commission reserves the right to rescind this action if any developments reveal additional information that might have affected the Commission's decision.
  • October 24, 2024
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close the additional location at 881 Hills Plaza Drive, Suite 450, Ebensburg, PA 15931 that ceased operations effective July 1, 2022. To remove the additional location from the institution's scope of accreditation. To note that the Commission reserves the right to rescind this action if any developments reveal additional information that might have affected the Commission's decision.
  • Distance Education
    Approved to offer programs by this delivery method
  • Correspondence Education
    Not approved for this delivery method

Approved Credential Levels

The following represents credential levels included in the scope of the institution’s accreditation:

  • Postsecondary award (< 1 year) Included within the scope
  • Postsecondary award (1-2 years) Included within the scope
  • Postsecondary award (2-4 years) Included within the scope
  • Associate's Degree or Equivalent Included within the scope
  • Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Included within the scope
  • Post-baccalaureate Certificate Included within the scope
  • Master's Degree or Equivalent Included within the scope
  • Post-Master's Certificate Included within the scope
  • Doctor's Degree - Professional Practice Included within the scope
  • Main Campus
    Pennsylvania Western University
    250 University Avenue
    California, PA 15419-1394
  • Additional Location
    4900 Friendship Avenue
    4900 Friendship Avenue
    Pittsburgh, PA 15224
    Opened: 07/01/2022
  • Additional Location
    6022 Glades Pike
    6022 Glades Pike
    Somerset, PA 15501
    Opened: 07/01/2022
  • Additional Location
    Clarion Campus
    840 Wood Street
    Clarion, PA 16214
  • Additional Location
    Edinboro Campus
    219 Meadville Street
    Edinboro, PA 16444
    Opened: 07/01/2022

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