A Letter from Craig D. Swenson, Ph.D., Chancellor, Argosy University System

Dear Argosy University Students:

I am writing to share some exciting news and to reaffirm our commitment the University’s mission of providing exceptional professional higher education. To that end, I am pleased to announce that Argosy University is involved in a process of strategic expansion that will provide new opportunities for many of our existing and prospective students.

First, our plan is that the Western State University College of Law, the oldest law school in Orange County, California, will become part of our University and will become known as the Western State College of Law of Argosy University. Western State is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Our plans also include the establishment of a college of art and design. This new college will be created by merging the eight Art Institute campuses in California into a single entity and making it a part of the University. It will be known as the Art Institute of California, a College of Argosy University, with campuses in Hollywood, Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Orange County, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, and Sunnyvale.

In light of the geographical location of these two new colleges and in order to ensure a successful transition, we have begun the process of seeking regional accreditation from the Commission on Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC, see at http://www.wascsenior.org/ ). Until this process is complete, we will continue to be accredited by our current regional accrediting association, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC), after which time we will transition to WASC.

Throughout this process our institution’s distinctive identity, history, and reputation will remain strong and, we believe, become even stronger. These actions will advance Argosy’s stature as a national, comprehensive University. The addition of the disciplines represented by these two new colleges will enhance the intellectual life of our University community. The potential for interaction among the students and faculties of this diverse set of disciplines will create synergies that will support the mission of our University.

While new opportunities may open for you as a student of Argosy, Art Institute or Western State as a result of these actions, you will experience little to no change on a day to day basis in your program, your faculty, and the operations of your institution. If you have any questions, I encourage you contact your local campus.

Sincerely,

Craig D. Swenson, Ph.D., Chancellor
Argosy University System