Accreditation is a voluntary system of self-regulation developed to evaluate overall educational quality and institutional effectiveness (The Commission’s complete Purpose Statement is available in Article I, section 2 of its Bylaws).

The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC), accredits community colleges and other associate degree-granting institutions in the Western region of the U.S.  The ACCJC is one of seven regional accrediting commissions.

Accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) assures our students, community, and partners that Cerritos College meets rigorous standards of quality and effectiveness. It affirms that the education students receive here is valuable, transferable, and recognized by employers, licensing agencies, and other institutions. Accreditation also reflects our ongoing commitment to student success, continuous improvement, and institutional integrity.

The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges is authorized to operate by the U.S. Department of Education through the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008.

Institutions begin the eight-year accreditation cycle with a self-evaluation, documented in the Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER), to assess alignment with ACCJC Standards. The Accreditation Handbook guides institutions and peer review teams through this process. During the comprehensive review, teams use the ISER to validate findings and identify strengths or areas for improvement. The Commission then reviews both the ISER and team report to determine accreditation status. Cerritos College's next ISER is due to our Accreditation Team on August 1, 2026.