MAY 8, 2013
Multiple College Programs Accredited
PVCC Early Childhood Education and Nursing programs receive national accreditation
PHOENIX – Paradise Valley Community College’s Early Childhood Education and Nursing programs have each earned national accreditation. The Early Childhood Program was approved by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Nursing program by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
"This is huge,” said Nursing Program Director Rose Dermody. “Accreditation is essential and proves the quality of the program. This is how students get jobs. If a program isn’t accredited, no organization will hire them.”
Early Childhood Education faculty member Christie Colunga concurred, noting, “Accreditation assures our students are provided strong learning opportunities in each of the required standard areas.”
After completion of the two-year accreditation process, both programs are accredited for seven years with no conditions. This is a first-time accreditation for Early Childhood, and makes it the only accredited early childhood program in the Maricopa County Community College District. This marks a reaccreditation for Nursing.
“We are proud to be the first accredited Early Childhood Education associate degree program in the Maricopa County Community College District,” said Colunga. “The team found many program strengths. Faculty and students commented on the strong sense of community, supportive relationships, and responsiveness to both the community and student’s needs.”
The professional accrediting bodies NLNAC and NAEYC promote excellence in accreditation for programs of nursing education and early childhood teacher education, respectively. The extensive accreditation process includes an eligibility review, submission of program self-study report, and a peer review site visit prior to the accreditation decision.
“We are nationally and state accredited and I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Dermody. “We all worked very hard to make this happen and enjoy addressing the issues for student learning and outcomes.”
Visit paradisevalley.edu.
