Educational programs that provide both outdoor education and leadership training can be accredited by the WEA. Our accreditation provides a minimum number of content requirements with the main focus around WEA 6+1. Accredited programs provide educational opportunities for students and professionals seeking credentials in outdoor education and leadership. Accreditation is awarded to a program rather than an individual.

Programs pursuing accreditation first complete a self-study that has been established and approved by the Commission on Outdoor Education and Leadership. The report provides reviewers with sufficient documentation to assess a program's practices regarding administration, operation, instruction, curriculum design, assessment, and evaluation.

The Role and Value of Accreditation

The WEA believes that rigorous external review provides on-going opportunities to improve and evaluate program curriculum and practices with the assistance of other highly-qualified industry professionals. The use of a common standard allows programs to ensure that their unique teaching and presentation of information still ultimately accomplishes the overall goal of providing professional-level education and training for outdoor leaders.

Accreditation creates a recognized standard of performance and training for all WEA professionals across the country and world. These professionals are equipped to deliver a standard quality of services, guidance, and education in the outdoor industry. Students and instructors benefit from an accredited curriculum through the high quality of teaching, research, and professionalism that comes from regular review and revision. WEA Accreditation encourages institutional freedom, improvement of education and training, and educational analysis and innovation.

Contact the WEA National Office to learn more about pursuing Accreditation.