Simultaneously with the expansion of mission and services, Northern undertook candidacy for accreditation with the Commission on Higher Education of the
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). The Technical-Vocational School had already been granted candidacy for accreditation (1977-1982). Accreditation by the North Central Association for Northern as a community college was officially declared on 20 March 1982; reaffirmation of accreditation was granted for seven years in 1987 and, most recently, reaffirmation of accreditation was granted for ten years (1994-2004). Northern is presently in the process of demonstrating its quality as it again seeks continued accreditation.
In August 2004, our regional accrediting association (NCA) accredited Northern’s Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, as well as pre-accrediting whatever other undergraduate teaching degrees Northern would develop. The 2005 change in name and return to the original mission of a teaching college will cause Northern to seek a more comprehensive change in its scope of accreditation to cover all other four-year degrees as they are developed to meet the needs of its communities.
In addition to regional accreditation, Northern’s educational offerings are accredited or approved by other agencies. The College’s occupational courses are approved by the New Mexico State Department of Public Education; the barbering, cosmetology, massage therapy, and nursing programs are approved by their respective state licensing boards; the radiologic science technology program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education and Radiologic Technology; and the business programs are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. State approval for benefits
under Title 38 USC for veterans and other eligible persons has been granted by the New Mexico Veterans Service Commission.
Those wishing to review or verify the above statements concerning accreditation should contact the Registrar at (505) 747-2193.