Specialized Accreditations/Approvals

Webster University maintains several specialized or professional accreditations for programs, as listed below. In addition, the University maintains a rich variety of professional memberships and organizations with professional groups, associations, and agencies. A full listing of these accreditations, approvals, licensures, and memberships are contained in the Undergraduate Studies Catalog and the Graduate Studies Catalog and also published online.

[EXHIBIT: Webster's Accreditation Page]

The Self-Study reviewed the institution’s presentations on accreditations, approvals, licensure and memberships, and recommended that these public presentations be restricted to a limited number of placements (print, online). The Office of Academic Affairs will take responsibility for monitoring all of these descriptions for accuracy, and will maintain a single Web site for all related University approvals.

Specialized program accreditations and/or approvals include:

Business – Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
(Initial accreditation review currently underway)

The School of Business & Technology has pursued candidacy with ACBSP, with submission of the ACBSP Self-Study (Fall, 2007), and completion of the Site Visit (October 14 – 20, 2007) to the main campus and selected domestic campuses and international locations. At the present time, the School is completing additional data collection and analysis requested by the ACBSP Board, and expects a successful conclusion to this quality assurance process during Spring – Summer 2008.

[EXHIBIT: HLC3a ACBSP]

Education – National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

Initial NCATE accreditation was successfully achieved Fall 2007, and covers all programs and locations where Webster offers education programs. This initial accreditation for one of the University’s largest programs followed a strategic decision to focus on quality assurance indicators, including specialized program accreditations.

[EXHIBIT: HLC3a NCATE]

Education – Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) of Missouri

The School of Education offers 27 professional education programs that have been approved for Teacher Certification by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), State of Missouri. DESE conducted a comprehensive evaluation visit at Webster University October 28 through November 1, 2006, which resulted in continuing approval of the University’s professional education programs. The team reported numerous strengths in the University’s teacher education programs and approved all requested actions. The next scheduled NCATE visit is Fall 2011.

[EXHIBIT: HLC3a NCATE]

Music – National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

The Department of Music, Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts, holds specialized accreditation for its undergraduate (BM, BA, BMEd) and graduate (MM) degree programs from the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

In June 2004, the NASM Commission on Accreditation voted positively to continue Webster University’s accreditation (“in good standing”), and approved the addition of several new masters degree programs. The next scheduled review will be 2009-10.

[EXHIBIT: HLC3a NASM]

Nurse Anesthesia – Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)

The Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts & Sciences, offers a Master of Science (M.S. degree) program in Nurse Anesthesia. The program began in September 1997, with initial accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). The most recent Visit was June 29-30, 2006, which resulted in continued accreditation.

The COA found areas of concern with student evaluations, and has required a progress report. Most recently, the COA reported student performance on their Certification Examination pass rate (2006 graduation cohort) was exceptional. COA established a mandatory threshold of 74%, with the “preferred” pass rate of 84% for first-time exam takers. Webster’s program for 2006 was 89%, which exceeded both benchmarks.

[EXHIBIT: HLC3a COA]

Nursing – National League for Nursing (NLN)

Initial accreditation from NLN was granted in 1990, and continuing re-accreditations have been maintained. The most recent NLN Visit was October 30 - November 1, 2007. The Visiting Team report was very positive and complimentary. Formal action by the NLN Commission is expected Spring 2008.

[EXHIBIT: HLC3a NLN]

Paralegal/Legal Studies – American Bar Association (ABA)

The ABA has approved Webster’s Paralegal (Legal Assistants) and Legal Studies programs since 1989 for programs offered in St. Louis. The most recent re-approval was held Fall 2007. The Self-Study was submitted Fall, 2007, and the Team Visit was September 11 - 12, 2007.

As a result of this team’s recommendations, a number of curricular changes were mandated to add more specialized legal offerings to the program(s). These changes are being implemented by the College of Arts and Sciences.

[EXHIBIT: HLC3a ABA]

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