about

Our Story

For over 120 years we have served the Central Valley.

We have evolved. We have grown from a secretarial and vocational school, to a two-year degree granting institution, to a four-year degree granting institution, to a regionally accredited undergraduate and graduate school. Our mission has always been to offer student-oriented instruction in career-oriented fields, with a foundation in liberal arts. We have never focused on mass-production, and remain committed to small class sizes, quality service, personalized attention, and meeting the needs of individual students.

Our Mission

We prepare students for meaningful careers and professions through a high-quality educational experience, strongly informed by the liberal arts, and directed to the specific and changing needs of students from diverse ethnic, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds.

Our Philosophy

We provide effective instruction and related learning experiences to students. We view ourselves primarily as a teaching institution. Our founder believed that a practical educational program must meet the educational needs of the individual student and contain elements of general and professional education. We have maintained this simple philosophy throughout our 100+ year service to the Northern California community.

Accreditation

We are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Our court reporting program is approved by the Court Reporters Board of California. The teacher credentialing program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. As required by the Commission, Humphreys University will notify the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing within 30 days if its regional accreditation status changes.

 

On June 30, 2023, the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) voted to impose the sanction of Warning.

Warning reflects the Commission’s finding that an institution fails to meet one or more of the Standards of Accreditation. The Commission has determined that Humphreys is not in compliance with WSCUC Standards 1, 2, and 3. The accredited status of Humphreys continues during the Warning period and students’ status within the college is not affected by this sanction.

2024 Special Visit Institutional Report

2023 WSCUC Action Letter | 2023 Spring WSCUC Team Report

2022 WSCUC Action Letter | 2022 WSCUC Accreditation Visit Team Report

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. Why did WSCUC Issue the sanction of Warning to Humphreys University?

During our December 21, 2021, regularly scheduled visit, the WSCUC accrediting team concluded that Humphreys University should be placed on warning status.  WSCUC recommended that Humphreys University:

  • Establish improved budgeting, organizational, and governing systems for the university.
  • Involve more staff and faculty in decision making.
  • Be more transparent in communication with WSCUC.
  • Use institutional data more effectively.

Although the WSCUC Commission found that Humphreys University had made progress with its changes and updates, the warning status remained after a February 2023 special visit.

  1. Does this impact HU’s accreditation?

Humphreys University has not lost its accreditation.  A warning status does not mean that the university has lost its accreditation.  Students’ status within the university is not affected. Anyone who has questions regarding HU’s accreditation may contact Jess Bonds, Accreditation Liaison Officer, by email at [email protected].

  1. How is HU addressing the issues identified by WSCUC?

HU leadership responded immediately by assembling a faculty-driven WSCUC task force, to meet the items noted, ensuring the university returns to compliance before the specified time.  HU continues to strengthen the important work that it has completed thus far in response to these concerns. HU has:

  • Expanded and clarified a robust shared governance system for faculty, staff, administration, and the Board of Trustees.
  • Brought all academic programs into WSCUC compliance.
  • Implemented Board of Trustees development activities to ensure and strengthen its effectiveness.
  • Created and implemented an inclusive, bottom-up annual budgeting process.
  • Updated its institutional strategic plan with broad inclusion and input of campus. constituents, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, and trustees.
  • Strengthened effective pathways for internal communications.
  • Integrated and enhanced data collection and analysis to facilitate insightful decision making.
  • Implemented a university-wide and inclusive annual budgeting process.
  • Strengthened academic quality and effectiveness by creating and filling a Provost position.
  1. What is the timeline?

HU has two years to demonstrate that actions taken since the accreditation visit have been effective. In spring 2024, officials from WSCUC will return to campus to verify compliance.

Drivon School of Law

Drivon School of Law is accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California.

Study at, or graduation from, this law school may not qualify a student to take the bar examination or be admitted to practice law in jurisdictions other than California. A student who intends to seek admission to practice law outside of California should contact the admitting authority in that jurisdiction for information regarding its education and admission requirements.

2024 Annual Disclosure by California Accredited Law Schools Under California Business & Professions Code Section 6061.7(a)

For additional information on the California Bar passage rates see the State Bar of California website here: https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admissions/Law-School-Regulation/Exam-Statistics

Our History

1896

Established

We date our founding to the fall term of 1896. This is when John R. Humphreys, Sr., assumed academic administration of the Stockton Business College, Normal School, and Telegraphic Institute. However, there are scattered records and some graduating class pictures that date back to 1875. We have been in continuous service to the central San Joaquin Valley since that time, making us the first institution of higher education in the area.

1947

Incorporated

We have changed names several times since our inception. We became known as “Humphreys College” on July 25, 1947, when we were incorporated as a nonprofit educational corporation under the California Education Code. Under this corporate charter and related bylaws, Humphreys College is held exclusively for educational purposes by a Board of Trustees whose membership consists of alumni, educators, distinguished citizens, and friends of the College.

1972

Accredited

We became accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. In June of 1992, we became accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission. Therefore, all our certificates and degrees granted (including the School of Law) are accredited.

1987

Modesto Expansion

We began offering courses through Modesto Junior College, eventually establishing a campus in Modesto.

2015

College to University

Upon the retirement of Robert G. Humphreys in 2015, the trustees of the College appointed Robert G. Humphreys Jr., great-grandson of the founder, as the College’s fourth President. In the fall of 2016, the Board of Trustees authorized the changing of the name of Humphreys College to Humphreys University. The college community felt the name change was a better reflection of the school’s mission and our goals for the future.