Accreditation is important because it signifies that education and training provided by schools, colleges and universities meets specific levels of quality and that those institutions are committed to ongoing self-appraisal and improvement.

Regional accrediting bodies, recognized by the US Department of Education as the leading authorities on educational quality, develop criteria for evaluation and peer review processes that are used to appraise institutions. The institution must demonstrate that it meets, or exceeds, these standards in order to be recognized as an "accredited" school, college or university by the accrediting agency.

Fielding Graduate University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Fielding's WASC accreditation is important because it indicates that the university has met-and maintained-the highest levels of educational quality.

In addition to Fielding's WASC accreditation, the Clinical Psychology program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). APA accreditation promotes consistent quality and excellence in education and training in professional psychology.

Additional accreditation information can be found on the following sites:

US Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation.html

Western Association of Schools and Colleges
http://www.wascweb.org

American Psychological Association
http://www.apa.org/ed/gp2000.html?CFID=2858052&CFTOKEN=33794327