The Higher Learning Commission granted the College reaffirmation of accreditation in 2022-2023 with the next reaffirmation of accreditation in 2032-2033.
What is Accreditation
Accreditation in higher education is a process of external quality review to ensure that a college or university meets established standards. Accreditation involves a comprehensive evaluation on how the college is meeting standards and a review of the college by trained peer reviewers who evaluate the college's efforts at maintaining standards.
In the U.S., accreditation is carried out through private, nonprofit organizations designed for this specific purpose. Accreditation is required in order for students to gain access to federal funds including student grants and loans. Non-accredited institutions are not eligible for federal financial aid.
Types of Accreditation
Institutional Accreditation: In the United States, schools and colleges voluntarily seek accreditation from nongovernmental bodies. Accreditation provides assurance to the public, in particular to prospective students, that an organization has been found to meet clearly stated requirements and criteria and that there are reasonable grounds for believing that it will continue to meet them. The institutional accreditors are private, nongovernmental organizations created for the specific purpose of reviewing higher education institutions and programs for quality. SCC is accredited by the largest institutional accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission, which is one of 19 recognized accrediting organizations.
Specialized and Professional Accreditation: Specialized and professional accreditation is granted to non-profit organizations
that review programs within a narrowly defined profession or field of study. SCC has
18 programs that maintain specialized, professional accreditation with accreditors
that are recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for
Higher Education Accreditation.
Specialized Program Accreditations (PDF)
Professional Industry Organization: SCC has six programs that regularly evaluated by a professional industry organization
and meet their organizational standards. As a result, SCC graduates may be eligible
for certification in their respective fields.
Professional Industry Organizations (PDF)