Accreditation

Bay College is an accredited institution

Institutional Accreditation

Bay de Noc Community College was accredited in 1976 and was admitted to HLC’s Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) model for accreditation on February 13, 2004. In 2018 the Higher Learning Commission started the process of phasing out the AQIP structure, replacing it with the Open Pathway. In September 2018 Bay College adopted the new Open Pathway structure. While a new framework has been adopted the college continues to use many AQIP principles; quality improvement processes, structured goal-setting, networking, and accountability activities.


Statement of Affiliation

The Institutional Actions Council (IAC) of the Higher Learning Commission at its meeting on February 12, 2018, took action to continue the accreditation of Bay de Noc Community College with the next Reaffirmation of Accreditation in or before 2027-2028.

STATEMENT OF AFFILIATION

Open Pathway Accreditation Roadmap

The Open Pathway structure requires the institution to submit an Assurance Review in year 4 (2021-22). This review provides the college the opportunity to reflect upon its strengths, distinctions, successes, and opportunities for improvement. The Assurance Review is assessed and critiqued by peers through the Higher Learning Commission. Feedback is then communicated within the institution and improvements are made. The Assurance Review includes a complete evaluation and supporting Evidence Files showing the institution is meeting ALL criteria for accreditation

OPEN PATHWAY ROADMAP

HLC Complaint Process

The HLC complaint process is designed to allow stakeholders and members of the public to provide information that can indicate potential concerns regarding an HLC institution’s compliance with the Criteria for Accreditation or other HLC requirements. As an institutional accreditor, HLC is one part of a larger system involved in overseeing higher education. Thus, the HLC complaint process is not designed to intervene in individual matters, but rather to review matters that pertain the institution as a whole to the extent that such matters relate to the Criteria for Accreditation and other HLC-specific requirements.

SUBMIT COMPLAINT

Program Certifications and Accreditations

  • Automotive Technology - Bay College's Automotive Technology Program has been Master Certified with the Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation since 1999 and was recommended for recertification in January 2005.
  • Nursing - The Bay de Noc Community College License Practical Nursing Certificate and the Associate Degree in Nursing program is approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing. The Associate Degree in Nursing program is also accredited by the Accrediting Commission for the Education of Nurses (ACEN).​
  • EMT/Paramedic - EMT/Paramedic - The Bay College EMT and Paramedic Programs have been reaccredited by the State of Michigan for an additional 3 years, with the next accreditation review in 2024. Bay College has also been approved for EMS continuing education credits for this same time period.
  • Early Childhood Education - The Early Childhood Education Program at Bay College is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1401 H St. NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005. The current accreditation term runs from January 2021 through July 2026.
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