California Northstate College of Pharmacy

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredits Doctor of Pharmacy programs offered by Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy in the United States and selected non-US sites. For a Doctor of Pharmacy program offered by a new College or School of Pharmacy, ACPE accreditation generally involves three steps: Precandidate status, Candidate status, and Full accreditation. Precandidate accreditation status denotes a developmental program that is expected to mature in accord with stated plans and within a defined time period. Precandidate status is awarded to a new program of a College or School of Pharmacy that has not yet enrolled students in the professional program and authorizes the college or school to admit its first class. Candidate accreditation status is awarded to a Doctor of Pharmacy program that has students enrolled but has not yet had a graduating class. Full accreditation is awarded to a program that has met all ACPE standards for accreditation and has graduated its first class. Graduates of a class designated as having Candidate status have the same rights and privileges of those graduates from a fully accredited program. ACPE conveys its decisions to the various boards of pharmacy and makes recommendations in accord with its decisions. It should be noted, however, that decisions concerning eligibility for licensure by examination or reciprocity reside with the respective state boards of pharmacy in accordance with their state statutes and administrative rules.

The Doctor of Pharmacy program of California Northstate College School of Pharmacy was awarded Candidate accreditation status during the January 20-24, 2010, meeting of the ACPE Board of Directors. If the program continues to develop as planned, Full accreditation of the Doctor of Pharmacy program would be considered by the Board following the graduation of students from the program.

Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE)
Approval to operate as a degree-granting college of pharmacy in California was obtained from the Bureau for Private and Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE) on April 15, 2007. Approval or approval to operate means that the Bureau has determined that an institution meets minimum standards established by the Bureau for integrity, financial stability, and educational quality, including the offering of bona fide instruction by qualified faculty and the appropriate assessment of students' achievement prior to, during, and at the end of its program.

The Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (Bureau) is a state regulatory agency within the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), established in January 1998. The Bureau is responsible for approving and regulating private postsecondary and vocational institutes of education in California. The Bureau was established to foster and improve the educational programs and services of these institutions while protecting the citizens of the state from fraudulent or substandard operations (California Education Code §94705). In addition, the Bureau mediates complaints between students and institutions and investigates schools as necessary.

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
“California Northstate College of Pharmacy has applied for Eligibility from the Senior College Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. WASC has reviewed the application and determined that California Northstate College of Pharmacy is eligible to proceed with an application for Candidacy for Accreditation. A determination of Eligibility is not a formal status with the Accrediting Commission, nor does it assure eventual accreditation; it is a preliminary finding that the institution is potentially accreditable and can proceed within three years of its Eligibility determination to be reviewed for Candidacy status with the Accrediting Commission. Questions about Eligibility may be directed to the institution or to WASC at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 510.748.9001.”