Accreditation
Holyoke Community College (HCC) is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, Inc., (NECHE) a non-governmental, nationally recognized organization. NECHE is one of seven accrediting commissions in the United States that provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis. Accreditation is voluntary and applies to the institution as a whole. The Commission, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, accredits approximately 220 institutions in the six-state New England region as well as several American-style institutions overseas. HCC has been accredited by the Commission since 1970.
Accreditation of an institution by NECHE indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically applied through a peer group review process. An accredited school or college is one that has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purpose through appropriate education 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 New England Commission is not partial, but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of the quality of every course or program offered.
Questions regarding the status of HCC's accreditation may be directed to kcholeva@hcc.edu
or
New England Commission of Higher Education
301 Edgewater Place, Suite 210,
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 425 7785
E-mail: info@neche.org
NECHE: New England Commission of Higher Education
Final Team Report: Holyoke Community College
HCC is working on its scheduled 5-Year Interim Report, with faculty, staff, and administration participating. If you are a faculty member, staff, or administration colleague interested in helping to tell the story of the progress HCC has made since our 2020 Comprehensive Report, you are welcome to participate in any of the working teams. Read about the standards for accreditation here.
In addition to institutional accreditation, several HCC programs are accredited by state or national accrediting bodies:
| Program | Accreditor |
| Music | National Association of Schools of Music |
| Culinary Arts | American Culinary Federation Education Foundation |
| Nursing | Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing |
| Medical Assisting | Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (pending) |
| Radiologic Technology | Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology |
| Veterinary Technician Option | American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities |
| Honors Program | MA DHE Commonwealth Honors Program |
General Disclosures
Links to HCC's Annual Security Report, graduation and transfer rates, financial statements, student Right-to-Know information and other disclosures required by law.
