Saddleback and Irvine Valley colleges are fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). To reaffirm accreditation, both colleges undergo periodic evaluation of their programs and services through self study and peer review. The colleges are accredited every six or seven years and were last reaffirmed in 2017.
The accreditation process requires the college to do a self study. This self study is part of a three-part process of accrediting an institution. This process includes an institution's self appraisal, an on-site visit by a team of peers, and a review and a decision on the accredited status of the college by the commission. Accreditation helps determine if an institution meets or exceeds minimum standards of quality and assists students in determining acceptable institutions for enrollment. It also helps institutions determine acceptability of transfer credits and employers in determining the validity of programs of study. Without accreditation, students would be ineligible to apply for financial aid through federal assistance.
To learn more about the process by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC):
College accreditation reports can be found here:
Irvine Valley College Accreditation
Saddleback College Accreditation