Accreditation Commission

2021-22 Review Cycle

Programs Seeking Initial Accreditation or Reaccreditation (Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP Endorsement): Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP) is defined as college-credit bearing courses taught to high school students by college-approved high school teachers.

Programs Seeking the College Provided Faculty Model Endorsement (CPF): College Provided Faculty Model (CPF)  is defined as any college-bearing courses taught to high school students by college provided faculty regardless of location or delivery method. This enrollment is due to a partnership between the high school and college or university. College Provided Faculty are part-time or full-time faculty members of the post-secondary institution who are not employed by a secondary partner.

Peer review teams will assess the evidence provided by these applicants demonstrating their implementation of NACEP’s national standards of program quality. The NACEP Accreditation Commission will review the findings of the peer review teams and other evidence and determine accreditation status. Questions or comments regarding the Commission’s review of these programs should be addressed to the Chair of the Accreditation Commission at accreditation@nacep.org.

SITE VISITS: Site visits will be required of all applicants, for both initial and re-accreditation beginning with the 2021-22 review cycle. A NACEP staff member, Peer Reviewer, or Accreditation Commission member will attend a virtual site visit hosted by the concurrent enrollment program seeking accreditation or re-accreditation.

More information will be released in the coming months such as the timeline for site visits and fees.

Specific questions about the process and timeline may be directed to the Chair of the Accreditation Commission, accreditation@nacep.org

The Commission established the following deadlines for the 2022-23 cycle which is under Version 6 of the CEP Accreditation Guide:

Friday, October 1, 2021
The pre-application process opens for the 2022-23 cycle.

Friday, December 10, 2021
Deadline to submit a completed pre-application for review.

Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Deadline to submit a completed accreditation application for peer review.

Click here for a detailed timeline. 

In accordance with NACEP’s commitment to public disclosure and the Accreditation Commission’s Policy and Procedures Manual, the Commission publishes a Record of Decisions that documents formal actions taken with regards to programs’ accreditation status.

• 2020-21 Accreditation Review Cycle Record of Decisions
• 2019-20 Accreditation Review Cycle Record of Decisions
• 2018-19 Accreditation Review Cycle Record of Decisions
• 2017-18 Accreditation Review Cycle Record of Decisions
• 2016-17 Accreditation Review Cycle Record of Decisions
• 2015-16 Accreditation Review Cycle Record of Decisions

The Commission released a Statement on Applying for Extensions from the Higher Learning Commission for Concurrent Enrollment Instructors to guide NACEP-accredited programs and those pursuing accreditation from the 19-state HLC region that have received extensions for compliance with HLC’s revised faculty qualifications guidelines.

The Commission considers complaints as a way to inform the Commission on documented systematic problems with how accredited programs and programs undergoing initial accreditation review are implementing the NACEP standards. Complaints are not intended to be used to involve NACEP in disputes between individuals and member institutions. A formal written complaint must be submitted to the Chair using NACEP’s Complaint Information Form. Anonymous complaints will not be accepted. For further information please reference the Accreditation Commission Policy and Procedures Manual.

The Commission ensures that quality college courses are delivered to high school students through a consistent accreditation process defined by the NACEP standards.

Commissioner Roles and Responsibilities:

1. To be eligible to serve on the Commission, Commissioners must:

• Represent an institution that operates a NACEP-accredited concurrent enrollment partnership (with the exception of the External Member),
• Have prior service as a NACEP peer reviewer, or demonstrate knowledge of NACEP's standards and equivalent experience with other accrediting organizations, and
• Not serve simultaneously on the NACEP Board of Directors (with the exception of the Commission Chair)

2. Commissioners define, understand, and lead the accreditation process through consistent implementation and evaluation of standards.

3. Commissioners support, promote, and advance high quality dual & concurrent enrollment programs through NACEP accreditation, training, policies and best practices.