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Accreditation is a process through which educational institutions demonstrate their commitment and practices in meeting certain quality standards established by an external entity. It assures the public that the educational institution is operating effectively in fulfilling its mission via its operations and activities in teaching and student learning, as well as the promotion of knowledge and services. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is NPC’s institutional accrediting agency. For more information, visit the .

1. NPC must be accredited to provide federal financial aid to our students.

2. Accreditation assures and improves quality in higher education.

3. Accreditation helps students wishing to transfer credits to other colleges/universities.

4. Employers frequently verify the accreditation status of any degree‐granting institutions before offering jobs to new graduates.

To maintain its accredited status, NPC participates in the Open Pathway option with the HLC.

The Open Pathway follows a 10-year cycle with a focus on demonstrating educational quality assurance and institutional improvement.  During this 10-year period, NPC completes the following HLC activities: annual reporting, an assurance review at Year 4, a Quality Initiative from Year 5 through Year 9, and a comprehensive evaluation at Year 10.

Every year, NPC submits the annual Institutional Update to HLC as part of the regular monitoring process from the College’s institutional accreditor.  At Year 4 of the 10-year cycle, NPC completes an online assurance review as a “mid-point check-in” to demonstrate that the College continues to meet HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation. Starting at Year 5, NPC develops and implements a Quality Initiative.

At Year 10, NPC undergoes a comprehensive evaluation process with HLC. This comprehensive evaluation process involves the submission of an assurance argument and evidence files, as well as onsite observations and interviews by HLC peer reviewers. The goal of this comprehensive evaluation is to ensure that NPC is meeting the Criteria for Accreditation and complying with certain requirements set by the U.S. Department of Education. At the end of this evaluation, NPC receives an action from HLC’s Institutional Action Council regarding the reaffirmation of the College’s accreditation. See a detailed description of the 10-year .

HLC Accreditation Liaison Officer:

Farah Bughio, PhD
Associate Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness
(928) 536-6269
Email