Accreditation of North Shore Community College
North Shore Community College is accredited by NECHE, the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly NEASC-CIHE, the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New
England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.).
Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Commission indicates that
it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically
applied through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one
which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purpose through
appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable
evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity
is also addressed through accreditation.
Accreditation by the Commission is not partial but applies to the institution as a
whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence
of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality
of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.
Accreditation Process
Every ten years, North Shore Community College undergoes an external review of its regional accreditation by a visiting team of peers representing the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Accordingly, a comprehensive evaluation and self-study was conducted in October 2019 to serve as the basis for that review. At the conclusion of the process in May 2020, the Commission notified the College that it would be continued in accreditation. NSCC’s next comprehensive evaluation and self-study will be scheduled for fall 2029.
For addition information, please refer to the following documents of accreditation:
- NSCC Accreditation Self-Study: August 2019
- Report of the Peer Visiting Team: October 2019
- Letter of continued accreditation from NECHE: May 2020
As is expected of all NECHE member institutions, the College will submit a Fifth-Year Interim Report in fall 2024 to update the Commission on its progress and efforts toward continuous improvement. The Commission may also require additional reporting throughout the accreditation cycle to address significant institutional changes and other related matters. Please return to this page for the most current updates.
NECHE Accreditation Standards
Accreditation is a peer-review system that provides the public with an assurance of quality regarding an educational institution. It also makes an institution eligible for certain federal and other types of grants as well as federal financial aid for students.
Further, many institutions use the accreditation self-study process to inform its strategic planning. The accreditation process assures an institution's educational quality through a set of recognized standards that are derived regionally and accepted nationally. Additional information regarding NECHE and its published Standards for Accreditation are provided as follows:
Information regarding NECHE, formerly NEASC-CIHE
More Information on Accreditation
General inquiries regarding the accreditation status by the New England Association
should be directed to the administrative staff of the college. Please contact:
Chris Bednar
Assistant Provost
1 Ferncroft Road
Danvers, MA 01923
Phone: 978-762-4000 ext 6658
Email: cbednar@northshore.edu
you may also contact:
New England Commission of Higher Education
3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100
Burlington, MA 01803-4514
Phone: 781-425-7785
Email: info@neche.org