Institutional Accreditation
Institutional accreditation is provided by regional and national associations of schools and colleges. There are six regional associations, each named after the region in which it operates (Middle States, New England, North Central, Northwest, Southern, Western). The regional associations are independent of one another, but they cooperate extensively and acknowledge one another’s accreditation. Several national associations focus on particular kinds of institutions (for example, trade and technical colleges, and religious colleges and universities). An institutional accrediting agency evaluates an entire educational organization in terms of its mission and the agency’s standards or criteria. It accredits the organization as a whole. Besides assessing formal educational activities, it evaluates such things as governance and administration, financial stability, admissions and student services, institutional resources, student learning, institutional effectiveness, and relationships with internal and external constituencies.
Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions: An Overview provides brief general information about the accreditation of higher learning organizations by The Higher Learning Commission, identifies and responds to frequently asked questions about accreditation, and lists resources available from the Commission.
Download Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions: An Overview, 2007 Edition (PDF). Includes the new Criteria for Accreditation and Core Components effective January, 1, 2005. The information contained in this document is accurate as of March 1, 2007.
Joliet Junior College’s next reaffirmation of accreditation will be 2014-2015.
Joliet Junior College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (NCA). View the Higher Learning Commission page on Joliet Junior College for more information.
Specialized Accreditation
A specialized accrediting body evaluates particular units, schools, or programs within an organization. Specialized accreditation, also called program accreditation, is often associated with national professional associations, such as those for engineering, medicine, and law, or with specific disciplines, such as business, teacher education, psychology, or social work.