Parkland College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The HLC is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the assigned accrediting organization for a
19-state region of the United States. More information on Parkland College's accreditation relationship with the HLC is available at the Higher Learning Commission's website or by calling 800/621-7440.
Parkland College is part of the HLC Open Pathway (pathway timeline is below) and most recently completed the process for accreditation in fall 2022. The next Assurance Review will be completed in 2027. For more information about the process, please contact HLC Steering Committee Coordinator Julie Weishar at jweishar@parkland.edu or 217/353-2029.
In addition, several Parkland College career programs are accredited by the following national accrediting agencies:
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Dental Hygiene: Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association
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EMS Paramedic: Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions
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Medical Assisting: Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) and Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
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Nursing: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
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Occupational Therapy Assistant: Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association
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Radiologic Technology: Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
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Respiratory Care: Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
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Surgical Technology: Joint Review Committee on Education of the Surgical Technologist of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
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Veterinary Technology: Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities of the American Veterinary Medical Association (CVTEA)
- Automotive Programs: National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE):
- The Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair Certificate meets the standards for Maintenance and Light Repair (MLR)
- The Automotive Technology Associate in Applied Science meets the requirements for Master Automotive Service Technology (MAST)
- The Automotive Ford ASSET Associate in Applied Science meets the requirements for Master Automotive Service Technology (MAST)
Parkland College is committed to offering quality programs to help students achieve their academic goals. This commitment to quality means the college continually assesses the goals and objectives of each program and gathers data to determine how successful it is in meeting these goals and objectives. The support of our students, alumni, and their employers in helping us gather data for this assessment process is essential; such input helps us refine and improve our programs to meet high standards in a changing world. These assessment activities are summarized in Parkland College’s assessment program, a crucial component of an effective institution of higher learning. If you have questions or comments about our academic assessment activities, please contact the vice president for academic services at 217/351-2542.