Skagit Valley College earns national accreditation for concurrent enrollment program
Skagit Valley College (SVC) has earned national recognition for the quality of its Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP), receiving initial accreditation from the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP), the nation’s only accrediting body for concurrent enrollment programs.
SVC was one of just six institutions nationwide to earn initial accreditation during the 2024-2025 cycle, joining an elite group of 136 accredited programs across 26 states in the U.S.
“This achievement reflects Skagit Valley College’s deep commitment to providing high school students with high-quality, college-level learning opportunities,” said Dr. Christopher Villa, SVC president. “We are proud to partner with our local schools to help students access college early, build confidence, and save time and money on their educational journey.”
NACEP accreditation is a rigorous process that evaluates programs across 16 national standards in areas such as faculty qualifications, curriculum alignment, student support, and program oversight. Programs must complete an in-depth self-study and undergo a comprehensive peer review to demonstrate their adherence to NACEP’s high standards.
“There are thousands of strong programs across the country,” said Amy Williams, NACEP executive director. “But only 136 have taken the bold step to open their policies and practices to a thorough, independent review. That speaks volumes about their commitment to quality.”
SVC’s CEP offers high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school by taking courses taught by qualified high school instructors or college faculty. These courses are held at participating high schools or on SVC’s campuses and are aligned with college-level expectations and outcomes.
“Through concurrent enrollment, we are helping students seamlessly transition to college and experience academic success,” said Villa. “Earning NACEP accreditation ensures that our program meets the highest standards of quality and equity. It also strengthens our partnerships with local high schools and supports our mission of expanding access to higher education in our region.”
SVC will be recognized at the 2025 National Conference in Los Angeles, CA this October along with the other NACEP-accredited programs.
Learn more about SVC's CEP program, College in the High School, at https://www.skagit.edu/academics/high-school-programs/college-in-the-high-school/.
About NACEP
The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) is the leading membership organization supporting programs that transition students from high school to college through college credit-bearing courses. NACEP promotes quality programming through national standards, accreditation, and professional development. For more information, visit www.nacep.org.
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Skagit Valley College is making a difference throughout Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties by providing access to higher education for all who seek a better future. Part of what makes our college special is that we are deeply committed to equity in access, achievement, and community. Whether you are training for a new job, beginning your college experience, finishing the degree you started, adding English language skills, or pursuing a high school credential, Skagit Valley College welcomes you.