Accreditation is the process whereby a professional association or nongovernmental agency grants recognition to a school or program, acknowledging its ability to meet predetermined established criteria or standards. Accreditation includes approval of governance, curriculum, and quality of its faculty, adequacy of facilities, library, equipment, laboratories, and assessment. To assure its stature and academic excellence, a college obtains accreditation from both regional and national agencies and professional organizations and joins certain accrediting organizations.
College Accreditation Agency
Pierpont is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission.
What is the Higher Learning Commission?
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of seven regional accreditors in the United States. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the United States. HLC is an institutional accreditor that accredits the institution as a whole.
Pierpont’s Accreditation Status
Accreditation FAQs
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of seven regional accreditors in the United States. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the United States. HLC is an institutional accreditor that accredits the institution as a whole.
According to HLC, accreditation provides current and potential students assurance that they are receiving a quality education, which will be recognized as such by potential employers or licensing boards, as well as by other colleges or universities in case of student transfers or pursuit of a higher degree. Also, employer-paid tuition reimbursement programs often require that employee participants enroll in accredited institutions.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education recognizes accreditation as a marker that allows the institution to disburse federal (Title IV) student financial aid.
Please refer all accreditation-related questions to the Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Olivia Boltz, at oboltz@pierpont.edu.
Contact Information:
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC)
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
800-621-7440
info@hlcommission.org
hlcommission.org
The complaint process is designed to identify substantive problems with an institution’s ability to meet the Criteria for Accreditation. HLC’s policy on complaints provides a full description of the types of complaints that HLC will review.
View the HLC website to file a complaint.
Programs with Specialized Accreditation Agencies
Dietetic Technician Program (AAS)
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 899-0040; Ext. 5400
(3012) 899-4817 Fax
eatrightpro.org/ACEND
Emergency Medical Services (AAS)
Committee on Accreditation for the EMS Professional (CoAEMSP)
3301 Lakeview Parkway
Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
(214) 703-8445
(214) 703-8992 Fax
coaemsp.org
Food Service Management (AAS)
American Culinary Federation Education Foundation’s Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC)
180 Center Place Way
St. Augustine, FL 32095
(800) 624-9458
acfchefs.org
Health Information Technology (AAS)
Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
(CAHIIM)
200 East Randolph Street, Suite 100
Chicago, IL 60601-5800
cahiim.org
Medical Laboratory Technology (AAS)
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
5600 N River Road, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
(847) 939-3597
naacls.org
Physical Therapist Assistant (AAS)
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
800-999-2782
capteonline.org/home.aspx
Respiratory Care (AAS) (Probationary Status)
Commission on the Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC)
P.O. Box 54876
Hurst, TX 76054-4876
(817) 283-2835
(817) 354-8519 Fax
coarc.com
Veterinary Technology (AAS) (Probationary Status)
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
1931 N. Meacham Road, Suite 100
Schaumburg, IL 60173-4361
(800) 248-2862
avma.org
Licensed Practical Nursing (CAS)
West Virginia Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses (WVBELPA)
101 Dee Drive
Charleston, WV 25311
(877) 558-LPNS
lpnboard.state.wv.gov