It is a service organization that accredits academic programs which meet commonly accepted standards of quality education.

PAASCU was established in November 5, 1957 as a private, voluntary, non-profit and non-stock corporation.

In 1991 the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) was established and one of its founding members is the PAASCU.

The INQAAHE is an international association of over 200 organizations that are active in theory and practice of quality assurance higher education.

The APQN has been established with the purpose of satisfying the needs of quality assurance agencies in higher education.