Incorporation, Accreditations and Memberships

California Baptist University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the same organization that accredits University of California as well as private universities including USC and Pepperdine.

In addition, CBU's various schools and colleges hold accreditations from and memberships with organizations related to their specific disciplines. These accreditations and memberships currently include:

• College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design

  College of Architecture, Visual Arts and Design
  The CAVAD Master of Architecture program currently maintains accreditation with the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). 

• College of Behavioral and Social Sciences

  College of Behavioral and Social Sciences

  Bachelor of Social Work

  CBU’s Bachelor of Social Work program has achieved Candidacy for Accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation.

  Candidacy for a baccalaureate social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation indicates that it has made progress toward meeting criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. A program that has attained Candidacy has demonstrated a commitment to meeting the compliance standards set by the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, but has not yet demonstrated full compliance.

  Students who enter programs that attain Candidacy in or before the academic year in which they begin their program of study will be retroactively recognized as having graduated from a CSWE- accredited program once the program attains Initial Accreditation. Candidacy is typically a three-year process and attaining Candidacy does not guarantee that a program will eventually attain Initial Accreditation. Candidacy applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.

  For more information about social work accreditation, you may contact the CSWE Accreditation Staff.

  Master of Science in Counseling Psychology

  The Counseling Psychology curriculum is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners (BBS) as meeting the state of California’s MFT and PCC licensure requirements.

  Master of Science in Sport and Performance Psychology

  The SPP program is approved as having met the educational requirements for Certified Mental Performance Consultants (CMPC) through the Association of Applied Sports Psychology (AASP).

  Master of Social Work

  The MSW program at California Baptist University is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

  Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology

  The CBU PsyD program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), on contingency through the following date:  September 28th, 2026.

  Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

  Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
  American Psychological Association
  750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
  Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org
  Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

• College of Nursing

  College of Nursing

  CBU's nursing program offered by CBU's College of Nursing is approved by the Board of Registered Nurses (BRN). 

  The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and the master's degree program in nursing at California Baptist University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

  The Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at California Baptist University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. 

• College of Health Science

  College of Health Science
  Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant

  The A.S. in Physical Therapist Assistant program at California Baptist University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by CAPTE is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.

  Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences 

  The Radiologic Sciences program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The program is also accredited by the California Department of Public Health- Radiologic Health Branch (CDPH-RHB).

  Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) 

  The Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program offered by CBU's Department of Allied Health Professions is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

  Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies 

  The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the CBU Physician Assistant Program. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.

  Master of Public Health (MPH)

  California Baptist University, Master of Public Health program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. It also holds a silver membership with the Association of Accredited Public Health Programs (AAPHP).

  Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology 
  

  The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program at California Baptist University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

• Dr. Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education

  Dr. Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education

  Credential programs offered by CBU’s Dr. Bonnie G. Metcalf School of Education are approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Approval has been obtained for preliminary teaching credentials (Multiple Subject, Single Subject, Mild/Moderate Support Needs, and Extensive Support Needs), and pupil personnel services credentials (School Psychology and School Counseling).

• Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business

  Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business

  CBU’s Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

  Accredited programs include:

  Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration

  Bachelor of Science, Accounting

  Bachelor of Science, Business Administration

  Bachelor of Science, Marketing

  Master of Business Administration

  Master of Business Administration, Accounting

  Master of Business Administration, General Management

  Master of Science, Accounting

• Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering

  Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering
  CBU's bachelor degree programs in biomedical engineering (BSBME), chemical engineering (BSChE), civil engineering (BSCE), electrical and computer engineering (BSECE) and mechanical engineering (BSME) have been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. The computer science (BCS) program has been accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

  CBU's bachelor degree program in construction management has been accredited by the American Council for Construction Education. 

• Shelby and Ferne Collinsworth School of Performing Arts

  Shelby and Ferne Collinsworth School of Performing Arts

  CBU's Shelby and Ferne Collinsworth School of Performing Arts is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

The university is a member of the American Association of Higher Education, the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities, the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges.

California Baptist University is incorporated under the laws of the State of California as a university of liberal arts authorized to grant the degrees of Associate of Science, Bachelor of Applied Theology, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Computer Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Architecture, Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Master of Music, Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Health, Master of Science, Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Social Work, Doctor of Business Administration, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Psychology, and Doctor of Public Administration.

Visit the academics section to find out more about CBU's academic programs.

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