Accreditation
Contact Us
Room: E-Building, E-512
Phone: (718) 482-6119
OIRA@lagcc.cuny.edu
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
LaGuardia Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). LaGuardia’s current accreditation phase and accreditation status are displayed on the institution’s listing in the Institution Directory and in the Statement of Accreditation Status (SAS). As states in its website, MSCHE is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to conduct accreditation and pre-accreditation (candidacy status) activities for institutions of higher education in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including distance education and correspondence education programs offered at those institutions. MSCHE is also recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to accredit degree-granting institutions which offer one or more post-secondary educational programs of at least one academic year in length in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and other geographic areas in which the Commission conducts accrediting activities.
The Commission is a voluntary, non-governmental, membership association that defines, maintains, and promotes educational excellence across institutions with diverse missions, student populations, and resources. It examines each institution as a whole, rather than specific programs within institutions. The MSCHE accreditation review cycle is continuous and accreditation does not expire. Each institution is reevaluated and monitored on a regular and consistent basis in accordance with the institution’s assigned accreditation review cycle and Commission policy and procedures.
Institutional Effectiveness’ is for LaGuardia accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). As stated in the Middle States’ Standards of Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation: “Middle States accreditation is an expression of confidence in an institution’s mission and goals, its performance, and its resources. An institution is accredited when the educational community has verified that its goals are achieved through self-regulation and peer review. The extent to which each educational institution accepts and fulfills the responsibilities inherent in the process of accreditation is a measure of its commitment to striving for and achieving excellence in its endeavors.” For more information on the accreditation process, please see the LaGuardia Middle States website.
Additional Program Accreditations
In addition to institutional accreditation, nine of the College’s programs maintain program level accreditation from specialized accreditation bodies. Licensure pass rates for some of these programs can be found on LaGuardia’s Institutional Profile (pages 49-50). More information about the program can be found at the program website and documentation of the program accreditation can be found by in the accrediting agencies website that are included below.
The Nursing RN Program
The Registered Nursing program at LaGuardia leads to an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree, and is administered by the Health Sciences Department. The Nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing ACEN) (3344 Peachtree Road NE Suite 850 Atlanta, Georgia 30326, and by the New York State Board of Regents. This program prepares students to function as registered nurses (R.N.’s) in acute and chronic care facilities. Graduates of the program are immediately eligible to sit for the National Council of State Boards Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). More information about the program including the NCLEX-RN pass rates, graduation rates and post-graduation education and employment is available at LaGuardia’s Nursing RN Program website.
The Practical Nursing Certificate Program
The Practical Nursing Program, coordinated by the Health Sciences Department, offers a certificate in Practical Nursing. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the National Council of State Boards Licensure Examination for Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN). The program prepares graduates to function as practical nurses performing tasks and responsibilities within the framework of case-findings, health teaching, health counseling, and provision of supportive and restorative care in healthcare facilities that offer chronic and acute care services. The Practical Nursing Program was approved in July 2004 by the New York State Board of Regents, State Education Department, Office of the Professions (Nursing Education). More information about the program is available at LaGuardia’s Practical Nursing Certificate Program website.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
An occupational therapy assistant works under the supervision of a registered occupational therapist to help individuals with physical, psychiatric, developmental, and other disabilities to participate in daily life to the greatest extent possible. The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program is coordinated by the Health Sciences Department and leads to an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). The LaGuardia Community College occupational therapy assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) (7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD 20814-3449). More information about the program including certification examination, career information and graduation rates is available at LaGuardia’s Occupational Therapy Assistant website.
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Physical therapist assistants work under the supervision of physical therapists and assist patients/clients recovering from injury or illness. The Physical Therapist Assistant Program, administered by the Health Sciences Department, leads to an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. Graduates of the program are eligible for certification and must take the National Certification Exam to practice in New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions. The program is approved by the New York State Education Department and accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100 Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085). More information about the program including Licensure Examination Pass Rate, graduation rates and employment rates is available at LaGuardia’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program website.
The Veterinary Technology Program
The Veterinary Technology Program provides for both classroom and clinical training in the areas of small and large animal care and laboratory animal science. It is coordinated by the Health Sciences Department and leads to an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. As the only fully accredited Veterinary Technology Program in New York City, LaGuardia Community College is committed to educational programs that combine classroom learning and work experience. The Vet Tech program is meets requirements set forth by the New York State Department of Education and accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100 Schaumburg, IL 60173-4360). Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) allowing them to receive their New York State license and to use the title of Licensed Veterinary Technician. More information about the program including Licensure Examination Pass Rate, and career profile is available at LaGuardia’s Veterinary Technology Program website.
EMT/Paramedic Program
LaGuardia Community College has been setting the standard for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) training since 1996. Students who complete the Paramedic program will receive the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. Many of our graduates continue on in their EMS careers to take advantage of higher degrees and their National certifications. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (1361 Park Street: Clearwater, FL 33756). More information about the program including Licensure Examination Pass Rate, retention and placement rate is available at LaGuardia’s Paramedic Program website.
Paralegal Studies Program
Students who complete the Paralegal Studies curriculum, which is administered by the Business & Technology Department, will receive the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. The Paralegal Studies curriculum has been carefully designed to balance paralegal specialty and related courses with a broad liberal arts background. Students gain valuable practical experience through internships. LaGuardia’s paralegal Studies program is approved by the American Bar Association (The American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street Chicago, IL 60654). More information about the program is available at LaGuardia’s Paralegal Studies website.
The Early Childhood Learning Center Programs
The Early Childhood Learning Center Programs Inc. (ECLC) is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. ECLC programs provide child care for children ages 12 months to 12 years, preparing them for the next level of development. ECLC programs are located on campus. The program is licensed by the New York City Department of Health And Mental Hygiene and New York State Office of Children and Family Services, and is affiliated with the New York State Education National Accreditation – National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) as well as the NYC Department of Education – Pre-K for All.
The Wellness Center
The Wellness Center provides counseling and wellness services that support and assist in students’ intellectual, emotional, psychological, and social development while coping with the challenges of college and life stressors. The Center offers free and confidential counseling in a safe environment where individual and cultural differences are valued and respected. Our services include: short-term individual counseling, crisis intervention, workshops, outreach and referrals to college community resources. The Wellness Center has been approved for accreditation by the International Accreditation of Counseling Services (IACS) in June 2020 (101 S. Whiting Street, Suite 211, Alexandria, VA 22304, website: IACS). It is are the first community college counseling center to be accredited by IACS. More information is available in LaGuardia’s Wellness Center website.