Accreditation Status

College of the Desert is a fully accredited institution by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC); 428 J Street, Suite 400; Sacramento, CA 98514, (415) 506-0234, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.

Accreditation is granted for an unlimited period of time, with a standard provision for an institutional self-study every seven years, along with review and visitation by the Accreditation Commission. Accreditation is granted on the basis of demonstrated evidence that the institution is fulfilling its stated goals and objectives through qualified personnel, sound planning, appropriate programs and services, and adequate resources.

The accreditation review process includes opportunity for submission of third-party comments. Such comments must be submitted in writing and include contact information (name, address, phone number, email address) of the correspondent. ACCJC accepts comments related to an institution’s compliance with Eligibility Requirements, Accreditation Standards, and Commission policies at any time. Third-party comments associated with the self-evaluation review cycle must be received by the ACCJC no later than five weeks before scheduled Commission consideration. The form for submitting third-party comment is available on the ACCJC website.

At its January 10-12, 2018, meeting, ACCJC reaffirmed College of the Desert's accreditation status for seven years.

In addition to being accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, College of the Desert is approved by the California Community College Board of Governors, California State Department of Education, for veteran benefits, Immigration & Naturalization Service of the U.S. Dept. of Justice and U.S. Dept. of Education. Transfer courses taken at College of the Desert are accepted at the University of California, the California State University and College System, and private four-year colleges and universities.

For information on our most recent accreditation, please contact the President's Office at 760-773-2500.