table table table Public Accreditation Notice More Information Public Notice of Accreditation Status

Public Notice of Accreditation Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Accreditation For Warren National University:

1. What is regional accreditation?

   For the purpose of regional accreditation, the United States is divided into six geographic regions. There are seven recognized nongovernmental accrediting agencies that oversee these six regions. Regional accreditation agencies evaluate the entire institutional operations of a college or university for compliance with accreditation policies and procedures.

   Accreditation is a voluntary process, and there are no guarantees that an institution will be granted accreditation because it must achieve each milestone successfully. Warren National University (WNU) is located in Wyoming, a state which is governed by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The HLC is a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, which is located at 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504 (http://www.ncahlc.org)

2. What is national accreditation?

   National accreditation is a separate (from regional accreditation) form of accreditation that is primarily granted to private vocational and technical schools, private business colleges, religious colleges and universities, and colleges focusing on health-related fields. In addition, some programs that are offered by distance delivery and/or home study may receive national accreditation. National accreditation has different policies and procedures than regional accreditationing agencies. In addition, some programs that are offered by distance delivery and/or home study may receive national accreditation.

3. Why is Warren National University seeking regional accreditation?

   The majority of colleges and universities located in the United States hold regional accreditation. 1. Warren National University (WNU) is committed to achieving the same accreditation status as the majority of other universities in the United States. 2. If accreditation is achieved, WNU students will earn degrees from an institution that has with well-established universities. 3. WNU is committed to quality in all aspects of the institution; therefore, it welcomes the opportunity for the entire institution to be evaluated.

   More information about regional accreditation and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) may be found on the Web site (http://www.ncahlc.org ).

4. What is the difference between eligibility, candidacy, and initial accreditation?

   Eligibility Status is the first of several steps in the accreditation process. The Eligibility Status is granted when a university meets all the requirements of an initial accreditation application. This initial application is called the Preliminary Information Form (PIF). A university must successfully achieve Eligibility Status to be considered for accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) (http://www.ncahlc.org). Warren National University (WNU) achieved eligibility in December 2007 and is actively pursuing the next step of candidacy.

   Candidacy Status is the second of several milestones in achieving accreditation. It refers to a pre-accreditation status, which enables the university to prepare more fully for the full-accreditation visit. Candidacy Status is granted only after university has successfully undergone a comprehensive on-site review by and external the Team of Evaluators appointed by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC. The Board of Trustees of the Higher Learning Commission grants (or denies) Candidacy Status for a university that has successfully undergone the entire evaluation process. Warren National University (WNU) is scheduled to undergo a comprehensive on-site review by the Team of Evaluators on October 13–15, 2008. The outcome of this candidacy evaluation is expected by the early part of March 2009.

   Initial Accreditation Status is the final step in the process of a university successfully achieving accreditation. The requirements for an on-site accreditation-determining visit are similar to those outlined in the candidacy process. A university is required to undergo a comprehensive on-site review by the Team of Evaluators appointed by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC. Based on all the findings, the Board of Trustees of the Higher Learning Commission grants (or denies) accreditation to a university that has met all the requirements. Warren National University (WNU) is able to move into the final accreditation process upon first successfully completing and achieving Candidacy Status.

5. If Warren National University achieves Candidacy Status, will the University be accredited in March 2009?

   No, Warren National University (WNU) will not be accredited if it achieves Candidacy Status. Candidacy Status is a pre-accreditation status. While candidacy is a necessary and important milestone in the process, it is not sufficient for being granted accreditation status. Most important, once candidacy has been achieved, WNU is permitted to move to the final on-site comprehensive review process for Initial (full) Accreditation Status.

6. How long will it take for Warren National University to obtain accreditation?

   The accreditation process is just that, a process of multiple steps. Accreditation depends on the readiness of the institution to pursue each step. This process on average takes at least 5 years. WNU has already spent several years preparing for accreditation and has been actively seeking accreditation since the summer of 2006. At this point, WNU is unable to predict the timeline for completing the process of accreditation. WNU is taking one step at a time to make sure it is successful.

7. Who are the Team of Evaluators appointed by the Higher Learning Commission?

   The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) engages in a "peer review process." This means that the evaluators for comprehensive site visits for accreditation of all universities are administrators, staff, or faculty from other (peer or similar) universities in the region. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) appoints individuals to serve as "core, peer evaluators." These individuals are rigorously trained and mentored in the accreditation policies and procedures. The approach of the evaluators is to serve as "consultants," and they are often referred to as "consultant evaluators." Warren National University (WNU) expects that the HLC will select four to five evaluators to conduct a comprehensive on-site visit of WNU in October 2008.

8. What is the Higher Learning Commission's Team of Evaluators looking for?

   The role of the Team of Evaluators is to examine an entire institution and ensure that it meets the accreditation policies and procedures. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) requires that each institution meet all five Criteria for Accreditation (see question 9 for details of these Criteria). Prior to the visit, Warren National University (WNU) is required to submit a detailed document called the WNU Self-Study. This document details all aspects of the University.

   Therefore, the Team evaluation includes validating with evidence that the WNU Self-Study is accurate and complete. The Team of Evaluators accomplish this task by assessing the facilities /campus; the quality of the academic teaching and learning; staff, students (voluntary), and faculty through interviews; financial and student records; and the role of the overall governance of WNU.

9. What are the five Criteria for Accreditation?

   The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has five criteria that a university must meet in order to be considered for accreditation. The Criteria for Accreditation include:

   • Criterion One: Mission and Integrity
   • Criterion Two: Preparing for the Future
   • Criterion Three: Student Learning and Effective Teaching
   • Criterion Four: Acquisition, Discovery, and Application of Knowledge
   • Criterion Five: Engagement and Service

10. What requirements does Warren National University have to meet for candidacy? Will the University meet the requirement

    Warren National University (WNU) is required to meet the five Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Criteria for Accreditation (see question 9 for a list of Criteria). In preparation for an on-site visit, WNU must prepare a document called the WNU Self- Study. The WNU Self-Study provides a critical evaluation from the institution's perspective of all aspects of the University and how it meets the five Criteria for Accreditation. WNU believes it can provide evidence that it meets these requirements for Candidacy Status; however, the Team of Evaluators and the Board of Trustees of the Higher Learning Commission will make this decision.

    Following candidacy (if WNU achieves Candidacy Status), a similar process is used to evaluate WNU's readiness for full Initial Accreditation.

11. Is it true that Warren National University is "actively seeking" and has not "been granted" accreditation?

    Yes, Warren National University (WNU) is in the process of "actively seeking" accreditation. WNU cannot be considered for full, Initial Accreditation status until it is successfully granted Candidacy Status. Remember that accreditation is voluntary; it is a long process with many steps, and participation in the process is not a guarantee that an institution will be accredited.

12. What will happen if Warren National University does not become accredited?

    Accreditation is a voluntary process. Warren National University (WNU) has carefully evaluated its ability for the University to achieve accreditation and believes it will be successful, even though there is no guarantee in the process that it will be granted accreditation. Moreover, WNU continues to serve as an institution of higher education whether it becomes accredited or remains unaccredited.

Frequently Asked Questions About Accreditation For Current Students And Alumni Of Warren National University:

1. If Warren National University is accredited before I graduate, will I receive a degree from an accredited university?

   Warren National University (WNU) students that are admitted after the University is accredited will earn a degree from an accredited university. Unfortunately, it is the policy of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) not to allow institutions to grandfather students who matriculate while the institution holds unaccredited status.

2. Should I wait to complete my degree?

   The decision to complete your degree is a personal decision based on your career or personal goals. If you gained admission to a Warren National University (WNU) degree program prior to WNU receiving accreditation, you will still earn a degree from an unaccredited university. If you wait until WNU receives (or does not receive) accreditation, your degree will still be considered as unaccredited because you were enrolled prior to the formal accreditation of WNU. Therefore, WNU encourages students to continue their course of study or make the best informed decision.

3. Will there be any change to current or future programs and courses after accreditation?

   Warren National University (WNU) does not have plans at the present time to change any of its existing programs. Based on the Mission of WNU providing relevant programs that for adult learners is something that is important to the University. If granted accreditation, WNU would have to conduct a market analysis, as it has done in the past, to determine the viability of offering any proposed new program.

   Once a university has been accredited any change such as, an addition or discontinuance of a program, is considered an "institutional change" by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Approval may require a formal onsite visit or other reviews by HLC. Therefore, a change in the WNU programs is expected to take several months.

4. Will tuition increase if Warren National University becomes accredited?

   The Warren National University (WNU) Mission Statement states that WNU is committed to "affordable" education for adult learners. Even if tuition costs were to increase, they would still be within range of affordability. WNU, however, does not presently have a plan to increase student tuition.

5. Did Warren National University change its name when it began pursuing the regional accreditation process?

   Yes, upon re-evaluating the Mission of Warren National University (WNU), the WNU Board of Directors and the University's administrators and faculty decided in 2006 to change the institution's name from Kennedy-Western to Warren National University. Because WNU is located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, this change reflects the integration of local history into the naming of the University. WNU is named after Governor Francis E. Warren, the first governor of Wyoming.

6. If Warren National University is "seeking accreditation," does that mean the degree I have earned or will earn will not be legitimate?

   This question implies that your degree is not legitimate. Warren National University (WNU) is registered in the State of Wyoming as an "institution of higher learning." WNU has always been authorized to enroll students and confer degrees at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral level. If it was not authorized by the State of Wyoming, it would be unable to pursue the voluntary process of "seeking accreditation." State registration or licensure is a requirement that is a necessary requirement for all colleges and universities that are authorized to enroll students and confer degrees. WNU is committed to the integrity of its degree programs and that is why it has decided to "seek regional accreditation."

   If you are currently matriculating at Warren National University (WNU) or if you were admitted when WNU was unaccredited, the unaccredited status of your degree has not changed and will not change. WNU will only become accredited after a series of steps in "seeking accreditation," and this process may take several years. Only students who are admitted after WNU is fully accredited will earn an accredited degree.

7. I live in a state that identifies unaccredited degrees as "illegal". Will Warren National University's process of accreditation impact my ability to list my degree on my résumé without repercussions?

   If a state's law requires that only degrees from accredited institutions be listed on a résumé, it is unlikely that Warren National University (WNU) degrees would only be "legal" until (and if) WNU is accredited. When (and if) WNU is accredited, chances are you will have to be admitted to a program following accreditation and graduate, before declaring your degree as being from an accredited institution. WNU recommends that students contact the legal authority in their state because the requirements under each law may differ between states and may be complicated.

8. Is a Warren National University making course and program changes to meet accreditation standards?

   Yes, Warren National University (WNU) has always made and will always make improvements to all aspects of the academic experience. WNU is making changes that might be necessary to meet the accreditation standards. Since degree programs and courses are critical elements of any university, WNU, like any other institution seeking accreditation, is committed to process requires attention to quality and continuous improvement.

9. If Warren National University is accredited, can I receive a new diploma reflecting my degree is from an accredited university, even if I have already graduated?

   No, if you earn or have earned a degree from Warren National University (WNU) in its unaccredited state and WNU achieves accreditation, WNU cannot send a "new diploma." WNU's status as an accredited university (if and when), this achievement will not alter your diploma from an unaccredited to accredited status. If WNU does achieve full accreditation, however, alumni are welcome to reapply for admission and earn another degree from WNU, as an accredited institution.

10. If I apply for an undergraduate or graduate degree once Warren National University has become accredited (I am an alumnus from Kennedy-Western/Warren National University), will my bachelor's or master's degree be recognized?

    If or when Warren National University (WNU) is accredited, it is possible for alumni to seek admission into a degree program. Although WNU's admission policy requires transcripts from only accredited institutions, it feels an ethical obligation to its students whether they earned a degree under the name of Kennedy-Western or Warren National University when the institution was not accredited.

    All alumni degree transcripts, however, will be evaluated by the WNU Registrar in the same manner as those from other students going through the admission process. This process is designed to make certain that the degrees are equivalent to the requirements of WNU degree programs that are in place following accreditation. WNU is committed to students being academically prepared and successful in its programs; therefore, on a case-by-case basis, some students may be required to take additional course work to be admitted into a new degree program under the institution's accreditation status.

11. If I withdraw from the program in which I am enrolled in and re-apply after Warren National University becomes accredited (if accreditation occurs), can the courses I have already completed be transferred into my program?

    If you selected to reapply for admission once Warren National University (WNU) is accredited, it is possible that the courses may transfer; All courses would have to be reviewed by the WNU Registrar on a course-by-course basis for equivalency of the requirements for programs.

Suggestion: If you have a question that was not answered in these Frequently Asked Questions, please (email or post) your question and check back in a couple of weeks. You may see your question posted here along with a response.