Overview
Higher education institutions in the United States utilize nongovernmental peer-review accreditation as an essential component of external review for quality assurance and quality improvement of educational programs. Since 2004, NACEP has served as a national accrediting body for concurrent enrollment partnership programs.
Accreditation is awarded to programs after a comprehensive peer review by a team of experienced representatives from NACEP-accredited concurrent enrollment programs. Applicants conduct a self-study and prepare an accreditation application with evidence documenting how the college or university implements NACEP’s national standards for program quality in the areas of partnerships, faculty, assessment, curriculum, student, and program evaluation.
Institutions considering undergoing the accreditation process for their concurrent enrollment program(s) or currently hold NACEP accreditation, visit the Application Process & Resources webpage for detailed information.
For additional information or questions, please contact accreditation@nacep.org.
- Serves as a guarantee to students, policy-makers, and other post-secondary institutions that the accredited partnership meets rigorous national standards.
- Distinguishes a concurrent enrollment partnership, thereby enhancing its ability to recruit new partners and students.
- Aids students and families when they seek credit recognition for their college credits earned through concurrent enrollment.
- Allows programs to display the NACEP logo on their websites and in other publications.
Offers national leadership opportunities to concurrent enrollment professionals. Staff from NACEP-accredited concurrent enrollment programs may hold an elected position on the NACEP Board of Directors or be appointed as a Committee Chair to help shape the future of concurrent enrollment around the country.
The Accreditation Commission ensures that quality college courses are delivered to high school students through a consistent accreditation process defined by the NACEP standards.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Eligibility to serve on the Accreditation Commission includes:
- 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
- Cannot serve simultaneously on the NACEP Board of Directors (with the exception to the Commission Chair)
- Be able to define, understand, and lead the accreditation process through consistent implementation and evaluation of standards.
- Be able to support, promote, and advance high-quality dual & concurrent enrollment programs through NACEP accreditation, training, policies and best practices.
ACCREDITATION COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVES
The Accreditation Commission provides opportunities for students, faculty, staff, secondary partners, and members of the public to inform the Commission regarding systematic concerns with concurrent enrollment programs that are accredited or undergoing initial accreditation review. Complaints are a means of providing information and evidence regarding an institution’s concurrent enrollment program(s) compliance with the NACEP accreditation standards. Disputes between an individual and a member institution cannot be submitted as complaints, as NACEP does not engage in such matters. Anonymous complaints will not be accepted.