Statement of Accreditation Status

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

  • CEO: Dr. R. Lorraine Bernotsky, President
  • Accreditation Liaison Officer: Dr. Stefanie Schwalm
  • Commission Staff Liaison: Michael Bowden, Vice President
  • Carnegie Classification: Professions-focused Undergraduate/Graduate-Doctorate Medium » Research 2: High Spending and Doctorate Production
  • Control: Public
  • Former Name(s): West Chester State College (7/1/1983)
  • Phase: Accredited
  • Status: Accreditation Reaffirmed
  • Accreditation Granted: 1946
  • Last Reaffirmation: June 24, 2021
  • Next Self-Study Evaluation: 2028-2029

Contact Information

South High Street
West Chester, PA 19383

(610) 436-1000

  • October 31, 2023
    To note the verification visits took place to the main campus at South High Street, West Chester, PA 19383 on August 1, 2023 and to the additional locations at (1) 701 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 on August 10, 2023; and (2) 1160 McDermott Drive, West Chester, PA 19380 on August 1, 2023.
  • June 21, 2023
    To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2028-2029.
  • March 15, 2023
    Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to request a supplemental information report, due March 29, 2023, that provides additional information on Standard II: Ethics and Integrity, and Standard IV: Support of the Student Experience. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2028-2029.
  • February 21, 2023
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close the additional location at Second Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110 that has ceased operations. 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. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2028-2029.
  • June 24, 2021
    To acknowledge receipt of the self-study report. To note that the institution hosted a virtual site visit in lieu of an on-site visit in accordance with the United States Department of Education (USDE) guidelines published March 17, 2020. To reaffirm accreditation. To note that a verification visit is required by USDE guidelines and will be conducted within a reasonable period of time following the virtual site visit. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2028-2029.
  • July 2, 2018
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the additional location at Delaware County Community College - Marple Campus, 901 Media Line Road, Media, PA 19063 within the scope of the institution's accreditation. The Commission requires written notification within thirty days of the commencement of operations at this additional location. Operations at the additional location must commence within one calendar year from the date of this action. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2020-2021.
  • November 17, 2016
    To accept the Periodic Review Report and to reaffirm accreditation. The next self-study evaluation is scheduled for 2020-2021.
  • May 2, 2016
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the Doctor of Psychology (Psy. D.) (Doctor's - Professional Practice) within the scope of the institution's accreditation. To remind the institution of the Commission's request of August 31, 2015 regarding the Periodic Review Report due June 1, 2016.
  • August 31, 2015
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the Doctor of Education (EdD) within the scope of the institution's accreditation. To remind the institution of the request that the Periodic Review Report, due June 1, 2016, should document progress in the implementation of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program and its impact on the institution, including the assessment of program-level student learning outcomes.
  • April 27, 2015
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the Doctorate of Public Administration (DPA) within the scope of the institution's accreditation. To remind the institution of the request that the Periodic Review Report, due June 1, 2016, document progress in the implementation of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program and its impact on the institution, including the assessment of program-level student learning outcomes.
  • 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
  • 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
  • Doctor's Degree- Research/Scholarship Included within the scope
  • Main Campus
    West Chester University of Pennsylvania
    South High Street
    West Chester, PA 19383
  • Additional Location
    Chester County Intermediate Unit
    455 Boot Road
    Downingtown, PA 19335
    Opened: 06/27/2011
  • Additional Location
    Community College of Philadelphia
    1700 Spring Garden Street
    Philadelphia, PA 19130-3991
    Opened: 06/30/2010
  • Additional Location
    Delaware County Community College - Marple Campus
    901 Media Line Road
    Media, PA 19063
    Opened: 08/27/2018
  • Additional Location
    Delaware County Community College - Marple Campus,
    901 Media Line Road
    Media, PA 19063
    Opened: 08/27/2018
  • Additional Location
    Graduate Center
    1160 McDermott Drive
    West Chester, PA 19380
  • Additional Location
    Mellon Independence Center
    701 Market Street
    Philadelphia, PA 19106
    Opened: 01/28/2013
  • Other Instructional Site
    Bryn Mawr Hospital
    130 South Bryn Mawr Avenue
    Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
  • Other Instructional Site
    Chincoteague Bay Field Station
    34001 Mill Dam Road
    Wallops Island, VA 23337
  • Other Instructional Site
    Delaware County Community College - Exton Center
    Whiteland Business Park 906 Springdale Drive
    Exton, PA 19341
  • Other Instructional Site
    WCU Exton Campus
    930 East Lincoln Highway, Suite 100
    Exton, PA 19341

The following are links to sites that are not maintained by the MSCHE. These are provided as additional external resources about each institution that the MSCHE accredits.