As the Korean Wave sparks growing interest in learning Korean, the California-based nonprofit reaches students across all 50 states and becomes the nation's only Korean language institute to hold dual accreditation, setting a new standard for Korean language education.
IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As interest in Korean language and culture continues to grow across the United States, an Irvine-based nonprofit is marking a major educational milestone amid unprecedented demand for its programs.
Korean American Center (KAC) has earned Accreditation with Merit from Cognia, one of the world's leading educational accreditation organizations, while experiencing extraordinary enrollment growth. Enrollment has surged more than 400% over the past year, with more than 1,200 students from all 50 states and Puerto Rico enrolled this semester alone. Notably, approximately 75% of KAC's adult learners are non-Korean, reflecting the expanding appeal of Korean language education well beyond the Korean American community.
Awarded by the Cognia Global Commission on October 30, the recognition makes KAC the only Korean language institute in the United States to hold accreditation from both Cognia and the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Unlike recognition based solely on curriculum or program offerings, institutional accreditation involves an independent evaluation of teaching quality, student learning, leadership, and organizational operations. Accreditation is what makes transcripts count. Cognia serves approximately 40,000 educational institutions in more than 100 countries, and its Accreditation with Merit designation recognizes institutions that demonstrate performance exceeding its accreditation expectations.
"There's a difference between claiming educational quality and having it independently verified," said Tammy Kim, Executive Director of Korean American Center. "As demand for Korean language education continues to grow, students deserve the same level of educational quality and credibility as those studying any other language, even when Korean isn't widely offered in American schools. This accreditation gives students and families greater confidence in the education they receive. That's why this recognition matters, not just for KAC, but for the future of Korean language education in America."
The achievement comes amid a broader shift in American language education. According to the Modern Language Association, Korean was the fastest-growing language studied at U.S. colleges between 2016 and 2021, with enrollment increasing 38.3% while overall foreign language enrollment declined. The growing popularity of Korean music, television, film, and culture has introduced Korean to audiences far beyond traditional heritage learners. Yet opportunities to study Korean remain limited in many American schools, particularly for students seeking formal coursework and academic credit.
To help address this gap, KAC launched its high school Korean language program for academic credit in fall 2026, welcoming its inaugural cohort of 30 students from across the United States. The program offers live online instruction, structured coursework, and official academic transcripts, providing students with access to formal Korean language education even when the subject is not offered at their local schools.
Beyond high school education, KAC's accreditation also provides independent assurance of educational quality for adult learners and employers seeking structured Korean language training, including those evaluating programs for employer-sponsored education or tuition reimbursement.
Dr. Mark A. Elgart, President and CEO of Cognia, stated, "Cognia Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire institution and its community on the primary goal of ensuring all students can flourish in engaging and effective learning environments. We commend Korean American Center for meeting high standards and making progress on key indicators that impact student learning."
"It's exciting to see so many people discovering the Korean language through K-pop and the Korean Wave, but it's great teachers who turn that initial curiosity into meaningful language skills," said Sunny Paek, Principal and Lead Instructor at KAC. "Learning a new language opens doors to new cultures, connections, and opportunities, and quality teaching makes that possible. This accreditation is a testament to the dedication of our teachers and the care and commitment they bring to helping every student succeed."
Founded in 2015, KAC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing Korean language education to children, teenagers, and adults through in-person classes in Southern California and live online instruction nationwide. KAC also operates the Irvine King Sejong Institute, part of a global Korean language education network supported by the South Korean government.
"The growing interest in Korean language and culture presents an extraordinary opportunity," Kim added. "But with that growth comes a responsibility to ensure educational quality keeps pace. We hope our achievement sets a precedent for other Korean language programs to pursue rigorous academic standards as we continue expanding educational opportunities for learners across America."
Media Contact
Gina Lim, Korean American Center, 1 949-337-0700, [email protected], https://koreanamericancenter.org/
SOURCE Korean American Center
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