Accreditation

We're proud to be in good standing with our accreditation. That means we’re acting in the best interest of our students, our faculty and staff, and our community.

About Our Accreditation

Accreditation is a voluntary process of external review that evaluates programs, colleges, and universities to ensure that they provide high-quality education and services and continuously seek to improve. This process provides assurance to the public that Western Nebraska Community College meets, and will continue to meet, clearly communicated criteria and regulations. Accreditation also ensures that faculty and students are eligible for federal grants and other funding.

Western Nebraska Community College is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accrediting organization. WNCC receives reaffirmation of accreditation on a 10-year cycle, and most recently received notice of reaffirmation in 2020. WNCC will next host a comprehensive evaluation and site visit in 2029-2030.

The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
www.hlcommission.org
800.621.7440
inquiry@hlcommission.org

Open Pathway

To maintain accreditation, WNCC participates in the Open Pathway. This pathway is available to institutions that have been accredited for more than 10 years and are in good standing. It requires that the institution meet five criteria through an assurance review and must complete a Quality Initiative with the HLC, which affords WNCC the opportunity to pursue continuous improvement in a focused area of need and aspiration. In addition, WNCC must demonstrate compliance with mandated federal guidelines.  

Program Accreditation

In addition to institutional accreditation, several programs at WNCC are separately accredited by state or professional agencies. The table below lists the accreditation status of these programs. Please contact the program’s office for more details.

Program 

Accrediting/Approving Agency

Current Status

Program Location

Associate Degree Nursing (ADN)

Nebraska State Board of Nursing

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

Accredited (2021)

Scottsbluff
Sidney 
Alliance
Aviation

Federal Aviation Administration – Maintenance Schools

Approved (2004) Sidney
EMT/EMR

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

Approved Scottsbluff
Health Information Management Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIMM)  Accredited (2003) Online
Medical Laboratory Technician National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLSS) Accredited (2020) Scottsbluff
Paramedicine Commission on Accreditation in Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP) Accredited (2024) Scottsbluff
Phlebotomy National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLSS) Accredited (2013) Scottsbluff
Practical Nursing Program

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

Accredited (2016)

Scottsbluff
Sidney
Alliance
Surgical Technology Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP) Accredited (2017) Scottsbluff

Course Specific Certifications

Program 

Accrediting/Approving Agency

Current Status

Program Location

Nurse Aid (Basic Nursing Assistant BNA) 

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

Approved  Multiple sites in western Nebraska 
Medication Aide 

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

No website available; please contact (402) 471-3121 for questions

Approved Multiple sites in western Nebraska


WNCC Accreditation Contact

Kimberly Reichert
Accreditation & Special Projects Director
308.635.6103
reicherk@wncc.edu