NACEP Awards Accreditation of 26 Concurrent Enrollment Programs

May 1, 2019

Seven Programs Granted Initial Accreditation for High Levels of Academic Oversight for College Courses Taught by High School Instructors

 

The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) Accreditation Commission granted accreditation to 26 to concurrent enrollment programs at colleges and universities nationwide. This brings the total number of accredited programs across the country to 112, spanning twenty-two states.

As the nation’s only accrediting body for these unique and impactful educational partnerships, NACEP’s standards serve as the model criteria for ensuring parity in faculty, course content, student outcomes, and support. Receiving NACEP accreditation means an institution has met the nation’s most rigorous standard in concurrent enrollment program development, management, and evaluation across multiple, multifaceted program areas. “NACEP accreditation demonstrates a commitment to academic integrity and the delivery of an authentic college experience in the high school classroom; it is a goal that every concurrent enrollment program should aspire to and work towards,” said NACEP Executive Director, Amy Williams.

“As the availability of college credit opportunities for high school students expands, it is vital that we maintain quality to provide a meaningful collegiate experience for students. The programs that received accreditation meet established best practices in concurrent enrollment in the areas of curriculum, faculty, students, assessment, and program evaluation,” remarked Dr. Diana Johnson, NACEP Accreditation Commission Chair and Associate Vice President for Learning at NorthWest Arkansas Community College, “NACEP accreditation is the hallmark of excellence, assuring that programs offer college courses in high schools that are as rigorous as courses on their campuses, thereby supporting student achievement and postsecondary success.”

To earn accreditation from NACEP, concurrent enrollment programs conduct a self-study, document how their programs adhere to NACEP’s seventeen standards, and undergo a rigorous peer-review process conducted by a team of representatives from NACEP‐accredited programs as well as the NACEP Accreditation Commission.  NACEP’s accreditation is valid for five years for initial accreditation and then seven years for reaccreditation, during which time programs are expected to uphold NACEP’s standards and report annually on program practices.

Newly Accredited Programs:
  • Anoka Ramsey Community College (MN)
  • Edmonds Community College (WA)
  • Lake Superior College (MN)
  • North Hennepin Community College (MN)
  • Southeast Missouri State University (MO)
  • University of Idaho (ID)
  • Wenatchee Valley College (WA)
Reaccredited Programs:
  • Central Lakes College (MN)
  • Eastern Iowa Community College (IA)
  • Hawkeye Community College (IA)
  • Hudson Valley Community College (NY)
  • Iowa Central Community College (IA)
  • Iowa Valley Community College District (IA)
  • Niagara University (NY)
  • North Arkansas College (AR)
  • Northeast Iowa Community College (IA)
  • Northwest Iowa Community College (IA)
  • Southwestern Community College (IA)
  • University of Arkansas CC at Batesville (AR)
  • University of Central Arkansas (AR)
  • University of Minnesota Duluth (MN)
  • University of Minnesota Twin Cities (MN)
  • Utah Valley University (UT)
  • Vincennes University (IN)

The University of Idaho is proud to join the family of NACEP accredited institutions.  This accreditation gives our students and their parents the assurance that they are receiving university courses and instruction while still in high school. For me personally and professionally, NACEP accreditation has been a goal I hoped to achieve before my retirement.  It is the accomplishment I am most proud of.

Linda Strong, UI Dual Credit Program Manager

Concurrent enrollment increases student’s college aspirations, engagement, and success thus concurrent enrollment programs hold tremendous potential for increasing college completion and addressing national attainment gaps. The positive benefits of dual and concurrent enrollment on college access and degree attainment were validated by the Department of Education’s What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) in a review of the experimental and quasi-experimental literature.

The full listing of the 112 NACEP accredited programs nationwide can be found here.

Ensuring program, and ultimately student success requires strong partnerships between secondary and postsecondary education centered on a mutual commitment to quality in all aspects of the program. NACEP accreditation reflects that commitment to quality across all elements of the program. These institutions have committed the necessary resources, particularly campus faculty time and effort, to support high-quality concurrent enrollment.

Amy Williams, NACEP Executive Director

About the Author

Miranda has her B.A. in Communication from NC State University and her M.S. in Sports Management from Drexel University. Prior to NACEP, Miranda spent time working for The Burlington School as their Director of Communications. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, coaching softball, and watching her nephews grow up. Fun fact, Miranda, and her twin sister Shaina were the first two recruits to sign a softball scholarship at NC State University and were inducted into the North Carolina Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame for their contributions and success in the game of softball.