Statement of Accreditation Status
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
- CEO: Mr. Jose Frontera Agenjo, President
- Accreditation Liaison Officer: Dra. Carmen Ossorio Sanchez
- Commission Staff Liaison: Dr. Melissa Hardin, Vice President
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities » Four-year, medium, primarily nonresidential
- Control: Private (Non-Profit)
- Former Name(s): Catholic University of Puerto Rico (1/25/1991), Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico Ponce (7/15/2011)
- Phase: Accredited
- Status: Accreditation Reaffirmed
- Accreditation Granted: 1953
- Last Reaffirmation: 2024
- Next Self-Study Evaluation: 2031-2032
Contact Information
2250 Boulevard Luis A. Ferre Aguayo
Suite 564
Ponce,
PR
00717-9997
- June 27, 2024
To acknowledge receipt of the self-study report. To note the on-site evaluation visit by the Commission's representatives to the main campus at 2250 Boulevard Luis A. Ferre Aguayo, Suite 564, Ponce, PR 00717 on March 17-20, 2024. To note the following branch campuses were visited: (1) Bo. Santana Carr. 662 Km. 2.3, Arecibo, PR 00614 and (2) 482 Sur Calle Dr. Ramon E. Betances, Mayaguez, PR 00680. To note the following additional location was visited: Lot #25 Sabanetas Industrial Park, Ponce, PR 00717. To reaffirm accreditation. To request a supplemental information report, due August 1, 2025, providing further evidence of (1) documentation of the policy development and revision process with evidence of periodic evaluation of institutional policies (Standard II); (2) periodic assessment of the effectiveness of student support services and non-academic units with appropriate metrics and evaluation (Standard IV and Standard VI); (3) the development and implementation of organized and systematic assessments that evaluate the extent of student achievement in general education (Standard V); and (4) periodic assessment of the effectiveness of governance, leadership, and administration (Standard VII) (Fourteenth Edition and Evidence Expectations by Standard Guidelines). To direct a follow-up team visit following submission of the supplemental information report. To note the supplemental information report, due July 1, 2024, is no longer required because evidence was provided during the on-site evaluation visit. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2031-2032. - March 28, 2024
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report requested by the Commission action of November 6, 2023, providing information on key data indicators (student achievement), as reported on the 2023 Annual Institutional Update (AIU) in accordance with federal regulation 34 CFR § 602.19(d). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024. - November 16, 2023
To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report requested by the Commission action of June 7, 2023. To request a supplemental information report, due July 1, 2024, addressing the action taken by the American Bar Association, and documenting further evidence of (1) copy of reports submitted to the programmatic accreditor (Standard II); and (2) regular evaluation of admissions practices, and the effectiveness of policies, and procedures, consideration of results by key stakeholders, and corrective action when warranted (Standard IV) (Fourteenth Edition and Evidence Expectations by Standard Guidelines). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024. - November 6, 2023
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to request a supplemental information report, due December 13, 2023, providing information on key data indicators (student achievement) as reported on the 2023 Annual Institutional Update in accordance with federal regulation 34 CFR § 602.19 (d). The next evaluation date is scheduled for 2023-2024. - June 7, 2023
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to request a supplemental information report, due June 21, 2023, addressing the recent action taken by The Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association (ABA), and providing additional information on Standard III (Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience); Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement); and Requirement of Affiliation 15. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024. - June 24, 2021
To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024. - March 4, 2021
To note that the Mid-Point Peer Review has been conducted and no further evidence is required at this time. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024. - June 9, 2020
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to request a supplemental information report due March 1, 2021, addressing recent action by the American Bar Association (ABA) which may have implications for current and future compliance with Standard III (Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience), Standard IV (Support of the Student Experience), Standard V (Educational Effectiveness Assessment), and Requirement of Affiliation 6. - April 16, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of formal written notice from the institution in response to the Commission's request of March 9, 2020. To temporarily waive Substantive Change Policy and Procedures and allow the use of distance education to accommodate students impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) interruptions, in accordance with United States Department of Education (USDE) guidelines published March 5, 2020. Continued use of distance education beyond the limitations of USDE guidelines will require substantive change approval in accordance with Substantive Change Policy and Procedures. This flexibility is not available for clock-hour courses that lead to licensure if the licensing body will not accept distance learning courses or hours or give credit for them toward the number of hours a student must complete. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024. - November 15, 2018
To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report. To note that a follow-up visit will not be conducted. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024. - March 15, 2018
To accept the Supplemental Information report. To request a Supplemental Information report, due August 1, 2018, regarding the status of the institution. A small team visit may follow submission of the report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024. - January 2, 2018
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note that the institution has closed its additional locations at (1) Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal W, 5821 Old Leeds Road, Birmingham, AL 35210; and (2) Seminario Santa Maria de los Angeles, Apartado 11714, San Juan, PR 00922-1714 and to remove these additional locations from the institution's accreditation. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024. - October 19, 2017
To request a supplemental information report due December 1, 2017, regarding the status of the institution. - June 29, 2015
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close its additional location at the Veterans Hospital, 10 Calle Casia, San Juan, PR 00921 and to remove the location from the institution's accreditation. To note that this action is not retroactive. The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2019. - January 5, 2015
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request and to include the online Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies program within the scope of the institution's accreditation. The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2019. - June 26, 2014
To reaffirm accreditation and to commend the institution for the quality of the self-study process. The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2019. - November 21, 2013
To accept the supplemental information report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2013-2014. - October 28, 2013
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note that the institution has closed its additional locations at (1) Pfizer Pharmaceutical, Carr. 3, Km 142.1, Guayama, PR 00785; and (2) Baxter Pharmaceutical, Carr. 3, Km 142.5, Guayama, PR 00784. To remove these additional locations from the institution's accreditation. To note that the supplemental information report, due September 19, 2013, has been received and will be acted on by the Commission at its November meeting. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2013-2014. - August 20, 2013
To request a supplemental information report, due September 19, 2013, addressing the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accreditation action of July 11-12, 2013. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2013-2014. - May 1, 2012
To include the additional location at the Biotechnology and Agrobiotechnology Learning and Research Center (CEIBA), Lot #25 Sabanetas Industrial Park, Ponce, PR 00717, within the scope of the institution's accreditation. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2013-2014. - May 1, 2012
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request, to note the institution's decision to close its additional location at the Guayama Extension, Calle Palmer 5 Sur, Guayama, PR 00784, and to remove the location from the scope of the institution's accreditation. - November 17, 2011
To accept the monitoring report. To note that the relationship of the Ponce campus with the Arecibo and Mayaguez campuses was clarified through the Substantive Change action by the Commission on June 28, 2011. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2013-2014. - July 20, 2011
To acknowledge receipt of notification from the institution that it has changed the name of the additional location at Carr. 3km 142.1 Gayama, PR 00785-0208 from Wyeth Pharmaceutical to Pfizer Pharmaceutical. - June 28, 2011
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request and to approve the accreditation of Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico as a single institution, the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, with three campuses. The main campus is the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, 2250 Las Americas Avenue, Suite 564, Ponce, PR 00717-9997; the other two campuses are branch campuses at Bo. Santana Carr. 662 Km. 2.03, Arecibo, PR 00614-4045 and 482 Calle Post S., Mayaguez, PR 00681. The next evaluation visit is 2013-2014.
- 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 (1-2 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
- Doctor's Degree - Professional Practice Included within the scope
- Doctor's Degree- Research/Scholarship Included within the scope
- Main Campus
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
2250 Boulevard Luis A. Ferre Aguayo Suite 564
Ponce, PR 00717-9997 - Branch Campus
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico - Arecibo Campus
Bo. Santana Carr. 662 Km. 2.3
Arecibo, PR 00614-4045
Opened: 06/28/2011 - Branch Campus
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Campus
482 Sur Calle Dr. Ramon E. Betances
Mayaguez, PR 00680-0000
Opened: 06/28/2011 - Additional Location
Bayamon Central University
Ave. Zaya Verde Reparto Milagrosa Hato Tejas
Bayamon, PR 00960-1725 - Additional Location
Biotechnology and Agrobiotechnology Learning and Research Center (CEIBA)
Lot #25 Sabanetas industrial Park
Ponce, PR 00717
Opened: 05/01/2012 - Additional Location
School of Architecture
2250 Avenida Las Américas Suite 545
Ponce, PR 00717-9997
Opened: 09/02/2009 - Additional Location
Seminario Mayor Interdiocesano
PO Box 32110
Ponce, PR 00732
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