Touro University is a Jewish-sponsored independent institution of higher and professional education. It was established primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage, and to serve the larger American community. Approximately 19,000 students are currently enrolled in its various schools and divisions. Touro is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education [ 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, Tel. no. (267) 284-5000 ].The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. This accreditation status covers Touro and its branch campuses, locations and instructional sites in the New York area, as well as branch campuses and programs in Berlin, Jerusalem, and Moscow. Touro University California and its Nevada branch campus are accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, Alameda CA 94501 (Tel: 510-748-9001). The Commission has also approved the creation of Touro College Los Angeles (TCLA), as a separately accreditable unit of Touro College New York, within the WASC region. Touro College Los Angeles opened in Fall 2005.