Spartanburg Community College concurrent enrollment program becomes first in South Carolina to receive NACEP accreditation

Today, Spartanburg Community College announced its concurrent enrollment program has received full accreditation from the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) Accreditation Commission, the nation’s only accrediting body for concurrent enrollment partnerships. SCC is the first school in the state of South Carolina to have its concurrent enrollment program accredited by NACEP.

“Securing accreditation from the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) Accreditation Commission sets Spartanburg Community College’s concurrent enrollment program head and shoulders above the competition as we have the honor of being the first school in South Carolina to earn this endorsement,” said Dr. Michael Mikota, president of Spartanburg Community College. “We are dedicated to changing the game when it comes to higher education and that means providing the highest quality assurance and quality control for all of our courses offered through multiple delivery methods.”

In a concurrent enrollment partnership, participating high schools offer courses designed by their partnering higher education institution and the courses are taught by the high school’s faculty members. In earning accreditation from NACEP, SCC can attest those courses taught as part of its concurrent enrollment partnership meet the highest standards of quality and qualify as the courses of choice for high school students seeking college credit.

SCC offers either dual enrollment or concurrent enrollment at all high schools for eligible students across its service area, which consists of Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union counties. Two of the College’s largest providers of concurrent enrollment courses are Spartanburg County School District Six and the Cherokee County School District.

“District Six is fortunate to partner with Spartanburg Community College in its efforts to provide exceptional educational options for our high school students,” said Dr. Darryl Owings, Superintendent of Spartanburg County School District Six. “The Concurrent Enrollment Program, through SCC, is a beneficial and cost-effective measure for Dorman students who want to pursue a higher education degree.  We are confident that this accreditation will help bridge the high school and postsecondary educational experience to provide seamless pathways for students to become college and career ready.”

“I am excited for the news of this accreditation as it goes right along with what we are trying to do here at the k-12 level: tearing down barriers and maximizing opportunities for all students to have access to high quality education with the greatest possible opportunity for success,” said Dr. Dana Fall, Superintendent of Cherokee County School District. “We need to continue to be trend setters and blaze a path to a new frontier for Cherokee County as a whole and this is another example of just that. I truly cherish our relationship with Dr. Mikota and SCC while looking forward to the future.”

According to a press release from NACEP, receiving NACEP accreditation “means an institution has met the nation’s most rigorous standard in concurrent enrollment program development, management, and evaluation across multiple, multifaceted program areas.” NACEP accreditation is valid for five years for the initial accreditation and then seven years for reaccreditation.

This accreditation is just the most recent effort taken by SCC to build upon the numerous pathways to success the College has focused on creating as part of its mission to become the most affordable, accessible, and relevant institution of higher education in the country.

The College offers dual enrollment courses at all high schools in its service area (Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union counties) tuition free as part of its free tuition initiative and recently established a team of College Transition Coordinators that maintain a near constant presence in area schools to aid students as they begin looking at their options in higher education.

Furthermore, the College has recently undertaken a campaign to secure direct transfer agreements to ensure students who earn an associate degree at SCC are able to seamlessly continue their education at area universities. In the last year, SCC has established such transfer agreements with Converse University, Limestone University, Gardner-Webb University, and the University of South Carolina-Upstate.

About NACEP

The NACEP is the leading membership organization supporting programs that successfully transition students from high school to college through college credit-bearing courses. The NACEP promotes quality programming through national standards, accreditation, and professional development. NACEP members offer college courses to high school students through a variety of delivery methods and use a range of terms such as concurrent enrollment, dual enrollment, dual credit, and early college. NACEP’s national member network of close to 500 institutions includes colleges and universities, high schools/school districts and state agencies actively share the latest knowledge about best practices, research, and advocacy.

About Spartanburg Community College

SCC offers more than 70 academic program offerings including associate degrees, diplomas and certificates, plus University Transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities. SCC provides flexible class scheduling including day, evening, weekend classes with multiple start dates and more than 100 online classes through SCCOnline. Offering the lowest tuition in the region, convenient locations, and regional/national accreditations, SCC offers educational opportunities leading to high-growth, high-demand jobs. The SCC Corporate & Community Education Division provides job and career enhancement, workforce development and personal enrichment courses and training programs. For more information, visit www.sccsc.edu.