Accreditation
Accreditation is a voluntary process of external review that evaluates programs, colleges, and universities to ensure that they provide high-quality education and services and continuously seek to improve. This process provides assurance to the public that Western Nebraska Community College meets, and will continue to meet, clearly communicated criteria and regulations. Accreditation also ensures that faculty and students are eligible for federal grants and other funding.
WNCC is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional accrediting organization. WNCC receives reaffirmation of accreditation on a 10-year cycle and most recently received notice of reaffirmation in 2010. The college will next host a comprehensive evaluation and site visit in February 2020.
The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: 800.621.7440
Email: inquiry@hlcommission.org
Open Pathway
To maintain accreditation, WNCC participates in the Open Pathway. This pathway is available to institutions that have been accredited for more than 10 years and are in good standing. It requires that the institution meet five criteria through an assurance review and must complete a Quality Initiative with the HLC, which affords WNCC the opportunity to pursue continuous improvement in a focused area of need and aspiration. In addition, WNCC must demonstrate compliance with mandated federal guidelines.
Program Accreditation
In addition to institutional accreditation, several programs at WNCC are separately accredited by state or professional agencies. The table below lists the accreditation status of these programs. Please contact the program’s office for more details.
Program |
Accrediting/Approving Agency |
Current Status |
Program Location |
|
Associate Degree Nursing (ADN)
|
Approved by Nebraska State Board Nursing
|
Currently seeking accreditation |
Scottsbluff
Sidney
Alliance
|
| Aviation | Federal Aviation Administration | Approved as required for operation | Sidney |
| Basic Nursing Assistant (BNA) | Approved by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services | Approved | Multiple sites in Western NE |
| EMT/EMR | Approved by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services | Approved | Multiple sites in Western NE |
| Health Information Management | Continued (2017) | Online | |
| Medication Aide | Approved by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services | Approved | Multiple sites in Western NE |
| Medical Laboratory Assistant | Accredited (2013) | Scottsbluff | |
| Paramedic Program | Currently seeking accreditation | Scottsbluff | |
| Phlebotomy | Accredited (2013) | Scottsbluff | |
| Practical Nursing Program |
Approved by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
|
Continued Full 8-year Approval (2016) |
Scottsbluff
Sidney
Alliance
|
| Surgical Technology | Accredited (2017) | Scottsbluff | |
| Welding |
|
Accredited Test Facility (2018) |
Scottsbluff |
