University’s Concurrent Credit Program Receives Re-Accreditation

The University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana has received re-accreditation from the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP). NACEP granted accreditation to concurrent enrollment programs at 19 colleges and universities this year, according to a press release. This brings the total number of accredited programs across the country to 105.

NACEP is the leading membership organization supporting programs that successfully transition students from high school to college through college credit-bearing courses. As the only national set of quality standards applicable to concurrent enrollment partnerships, NACEP’s standards serve as the model criteria for ensuring that the course content and expectations for student work in concurrent enrollment match those on the campus of the sponsoring college or university. NACEP's national network of 400 colleges and universities, 50 high schools and school districts and 25 state agencies and system offices actively share the latest knowledge about best practices, research, and advocacy.

Laura Clark, Vice Chancellor for Academics at UAHT said, “This concurrent re-accreditation demonstrates to our students, parents and high schools, that UAHT is committed to quality education. Accreditation validates that our classes and programs follow the high standards set forth by NACEP.”

“As the availability of college credit opportunities for high school students expands, it is vital that we maintain quality to assure a meaningful experience for students. The programs that received accreditation meet established best practices in concurrent enrollment in the areas of curriculum, faculty, students, assessment, and program evaluation,” remarked Victoria Zeppelin, NACEP Accreditation Commission Chair and Director of CollegeNow at Tompkins Cortland Community College in New York. “NACEP accreditation is the hallmark of excellence, assuring that programs offer college courses in high schools that are as rigorous as courses on their campuses, thereby supporting student achievement and postsecondary success.”

To earn accreditation from NACEP, concurrent enrollment programs conduct a self-study, document how their programs adhere to NACEP’s seventeen standards, and undergo a rigorous peer-review process conducted by a team of representatives from NACEP‐accredited programs as well as the NACEP Accreditation Commission. NACEP's accreditation is valid for seven years, during which time programs are expected to uphold NACEP's standards and report annually on program practices.

“I'm very pleased to recognize the “Your Bridge to College” program at the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana as one of a select group of one hundred and five concurrent enrollment partnerships nationwide accredited through NACEP's extensive peer-review process,” said Zeppelin. “UAHT has once again demonstrated to its peers that the college courses it offers in high schools are of the same high quality as college courses offered on campus."

“We are proud to have NACEP recognize the excellent opportunities UAHT’s “Your Bridge to College” concurrent credit program offers southwest Arkansas high school students. While NACEP specifically focuses on the concurrent credit options available to students directly at the high school, our program offers a variety of high-quality choices to area high school students who want to begin their college careers early. These choices include classes offered on the college campuses, online, and at the high schools,” said Ashli Dykes, UAHT Concurrent Credit Coordinator.

For more information about concurrent credit at UAHT, call 870-722-8267.