Accreditations & Associations
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
The Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The accreditation attests that the MSCHE considers the institution to be offering its students the educational opportunities implied by its objectives.
For accreditation information contact the Middle States Commission on Higher Education at:
1007 North Orange Street
4th Floor, MB #166
Wilmington, DE 19801
www.msche.org
Students can register complaints in the following ways:
- Using the General Appeal Process.
- Contacting the Middle States Commission on Higher Education complaints website.
- Contacting the Pennsylvania Department of Education Student Complaints website.
CCBC also offers programs accredited or approved by the following:
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is an
agreement among member states, districts and territories in the United States,
which establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of
postsecondary distance education courses and programs. SARA is overseen by a
national council (NC-SARA) and administered by four regional education
compacts.
The Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) is
SARA-approved higher education institution.
The CCBC has been approved by the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania to participate in the National Council for State Authorization
Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state
oversight of postsecondary distance education.
It is the student’s responsibility to monitor the current
status or special requirements related to the authorization of distance
education in their state of residence. For more information about NC-SARA,
please visit http://www.nc-sara.org.
CCBC also offers programs accredited or approved by the
following:
The U.S. Department of Education requires an institution
offering distance education programs or on-ground field experience components
to acquire authorization from the states in which it operates. According to the
Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (released in October 2010)
institutions offering online degrees to students who reside in other states,
need to seek explicit approval from the state in which the students reside. In
order for CCBC to offer distance education (online) programs in all US states,
we need to make sure that CCBC is in compliance with the regulations of each
state.
Specific regulations vary from state to state: each state
regulates online education very differently and each state has different
definitions for what constitutes physical presence. In order to comply with
required state authorizations so we can provide educational access to students
across the country, CCBC is working in cooperation with the U.S. Department of
Education, as well as with all agencies within applicable states.
Out-of-State Enrollment of Students
Before CCBC can accept an enrollment from an online student
for either a program or a course, the college must be in compliance with the
regulations regarding distance education in the state in which the student
resides. The same is true for face-to-face students who wish to complete field
experiences (internship, clinical, practicum, and teaching experience) in a
state other than Pennsylvania.
Currently authorized SARA member states include those noted
in the SARA-Participating
Institution Directory, which is maintained by NC-SARA.
Student complaints relating to consumer protection laws
offered under the terms and conditions of the State Authorization Reciprocity
Agreement (SARA) must first be filed with the institution to seek resolution.
Students can register complaints in the following ways:
- Using the General Appeal Process.
- Contacting the Middle States Commission on Higher Education complaints website.
- Contacting the Pennsylvania Department of Education Student Complaints website.
- Following the SARA Complaint Process through the participating state entity.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
The associate’s degree nursing program at Community College of Beaver County at the Monaca Campus and Washington County location is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone: 404-975-5000
Fax: 404-975-5020
www.acenursing.org
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate’s degree nursing program is continuing accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) – Radiologic Technology Program
1255 Northland Drive
St.Paul, MN 55120
Phone: 651-687-0048
www.arrt.org
AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA)
CCBC’s Veterinary Technology Program is accredited by the AVMA CVTEA as a program for educating veterinary technicians. All AVMA CVTEA-accredited programs in veterinary technology must meet the Standards of Accreditation of the CVTEA to ensure the quality of the educational experience and the assessment of student knowledge and skills.
Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)
CCBC is also approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The College is certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the education and training of veterans. This enables veterans to receive VA benefits while attending classes.
