Korean American Center Earns Dual Accreditation Amid 400% Enrollment Surge

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 5, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Korean American Center (KAC) has achieved a significant milestone by earning accreditation from Cognia, one of the world's leading educational accreditation organizations. This recognition, awarded by the Cognia Global Commission on October 30, makes KAC the only Korean language institute in the United States to hold dual accreditation, setting a new standard for Korean language education.

KAC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has seen a remarkable surge in enrollment, with a 400% increase over the past year. As of the current semester, the center has more than 1,200 students from all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Notably, approximately 75% of KAC's adult learners are non-Korean, reflecting the expanding appeal of Korean language education beyond the Korean American community.

The accreditation from Cognia is significant because it involves an independent evaluation of teaching quality, student learning, leadership, and organizational operations. 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.

KAC's 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.

To address the gap in formal Korean language education, KAC launched its high school Korean language program for academic credit in fall 2026. The program, which offers live online instruction, structured coursework, and official academic transcripts, welcomed its inaugural cohort of 30 students from across the United States. This initiative provides students with access to formal Korean language education even when the subject is not offered at their local schools.

Dr. Mark A. Elgart, President and CEO of Cognia, commended KAC for meeting high standards and making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.

Founded in 2015, KAC is dedicated to 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.