Accreditation and Authorizations

Saybrook University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a regional accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of Education, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and by the State of California.

Western Association of Schools and Colleges
985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100
Alameda, CA 94501
Phone: 510.748.9001
Fax: 510.748.9797
www.wascsenior.org

Saybrook participates in a regularly scheduled re-accreditation process conducted by the WSCUC.

State Authorizations

California

Saybrook University is a private nonprofit institution with approval to operate an accredited institution from the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) under the terms of California Education Code (CEC) section 94890(a)(1). Approval to operate means compliance with state standards as set forth in CEC 5, CCR.

As an approved institution, Saybrook University is required to complete an annual report for BPPE and publish Performance Fact Sheets reporting data on completion rates, placement rates, license examination pass rates, and salary or wage information for the previous two years. The annual report and Performance Fact Sheets are published online and linked from Saybrook’s Accreditation Page in the State Authorizations California section.

As a prospective student, you are encouraged to review this catalog prior to signing an enrollment agreement. You are also encouraged to review the School Performance Fact Sheet, which must be provided to you prior to signing an enrollment agreement. 

Any questions a student may have regarding this catalog that have not been satisfactorily answered by the institution may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education at 2535 Capital Oaks Drive, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95833, www.bppe.ca.gov, Phone number (916) 431-6959, Fax (916) 263-1897.

A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about this institution with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling (888) 370-7589 or by completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the bureau’s Internet Web site www.bppe.ca.gov.

Pennsylvania

Saybrook University has registered in Pennsylvania with the Bureau of Postsecondary and Adult Education as an out-of-state distance education provider to enroll residents of Pennsylvania in its online programs.

Texas

Saybrook University has a Certificate of Authorization from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer degrees or courses leading to degrees at a physical location in Texas. This authorization is not an accreditation or equivalent to accreditation.

Utah

Saybrook University has met the requirements of Utah Code Ann. § 13-34a-203 to be a registered postsecondary school legally authorized by the State of Utah.

[This registration was obtained exclusively for Saybrook’s online programs ONLY.]

Washington

Saybrook University is authorized by the Washington Student Achievement Council and meets the requirements and minimum educational standards established for degree-granting institutions under the Degree-Granting Institutions Act. This authorization is subject to periodic review and authorizes Saybrook University to offer specific degree programs. The Council may be contacted for a list of currently authorized programs. Authorization by the Council does not carry with it an endorsement by the Council of the institution or its programs. Any person desiring information about the requirements of the act or the applicability of those requirements to the institution may contact the Council at P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504-3430.

Financial Stability

Section 498(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 requires institutions to annually submit audited financial statements to the U.S. Department of Education to demonstrate they are maintaining the standards of financial responsibility necessary to participate in the Title IV financial aid programs. 

The composite score reflects the overall relative financial health of institutions along a scale from negative 1.0 to positive 3.0. A score greater than or equal to 1.5 indicates the institution is considered financially responsible.

Schools with scores of less than 1.5 but greater than or equal to 1.0 are considered financially responsible, but require additional oversight. These schools are subject to cash monitoring and other participation requirements.

A school with a score less than 1.0 is considered not financially responsible. 

Saybrook University has a 2014-2015 financial stability composite score of 2.2 on a scale of 3.0, the most recent score publicly available. 

Saybrook University does not have a pending petition in bankruptcy, is not operating as a debtor in possession, nor has it filed a petition within the preceding five years, nor has it had a petition filed against it within the preceding five years that resulted in reorganization under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. Sec. 1101 et seq.). 

Student Tuition Recovery Fund

The State of California established the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) to relieve or mitigate economic loss suffered by a student in an educational program at a qualifying institution, who is or was a California resident while enrolled, or was enrolled in a residency program, if the student enrolled in the institution, prepaid tuition, and suffered an economic loss. Unless relieved of the obligation to do so, you must pay the state-imposed assessment for the STRF, or it must be paid on your behalf, if you are a student in an educational program, who is a California resident, or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition.

You are not eligible for protection from the STRF and you are not required to pay the STRF assessment, if you are not a California resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program.

It is important that you keep copies of your enrollment agreement, financial aid documents, receipts, or any other information that documents the amount paid to the school. Questions regarding the STRF may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95833, (916) 431-6959 or (888) 370-7589.

To be eligible for STRF, you must be a California resident or are enrolled in a residency program, prepaid tuition, paid or deemed to have paid the STRF assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following:

1. The institution, a location of the institution, or an educational program offered by the institution was closed or discontinued, and you did not choose to participate in a teach-out plan approved by the Bureau or did not complete a chosen teach-out plan approved by the Bureau.

2. You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution within the 120 day period before the closure of the institution or location of the institution, or were enrolled in an educational program within the 120 day period before the program was discontinued.

3. You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution more than 120 days before the closure of the institution or location of the institution, in an educational program offered by the institution as to which the Bureau determined there was a significant decline in the quality or value of the program more than 120 days before closure.

4. The institution has been ordered to pay a refund by the Bureau but has failed to do so.

5. The institution has failed to pay or reimburse loan proceeds under a federal student loan program as required by law, or has failed to pay or reimburse proceeds received by the institution in excess of tuition and other costs.

6. You have been awarded restitution, a refund, or other monetary award by an arbitrator or court, based on a violation of this chapter by an institution or representative of an institution, but have been unable to collect the award from the institution.

7. You sought legal counsel that resulted in the cancellation of one or more of your student loans and have an invoice for services rendered and evidence of the cancellation of the student loan or loans.

To qualify for STRF reimbursement, the application must be received within four (4) years from the date of the action or event that made the student eligible for recovery from STRF.

A student whose loan is revived by a loan holder or debt collector after a period of noncollection may, at any time, file a written application for recovery from STRF for the debt that would have otherwise been eligible for recovery. If it has been more than four (4) years since the action or event that made the student eligible, the student must have filed a written application for recovery within the original four (4) year period, unless the period has been extended by another act of law.

However, no claim can be paid to any student without a social security number or a taxpayer identification number.

Right to Change Requirements

The Saybrook Academic Catalog details the policies and procedures for all programs offered by the University. Saybrook reserves the right to make alterations to the Catalog and the policies and procedures within as deemed necessary by the University. Changes may also be necessitated by regulatory requirements, accreditation guidelines, or licensure standards. Changes may include but are not limited to curriculum, academic policies, administrative policies, procedures, and costs. Notice is not required for a new policy to take effect; however, Saybrook will make reasonable attempts to notify students promptly of any policy changes through communication methods deemed appropriate by Saybrook officials. In the event that Saybrook plans to change a program such that it will impact a student’s graduation requirements, students affected will be notified.

Student Consumer Information: Higher Education Opportunity Act