Accreditation

Measures for educational performance, integrity and quality

TCC is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Accreditation is the nationally and regionally mandated process of recognizing education institutions for performance, integrity and quality that entitles them to the confidence of the educational community and the public. It validates the degrees/certificates we offer through the Dept. of Education, and secures Title IV federal funding (teaching, research, financial aid).

Accreditation for the College is done through an independent peer review. The goal is to establish and maintain an acceptable quality of educational programs and institutional effectiveness. The accreditation process is a seven year cycle, which recently concluded in Spring 2021 with a successful accreditation. You can see all past reports at the bottom of the page.

Our Upcoming Important Dates are:

Spring 2024: Mid-Cycle Review

Spring 2027: Year 6 – Standard 2 – Policies, Regulations, and Financial Review

Spring 2028: Year 7 Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness

The Process

Annual Report
  • Disaggregated Data
  • Student Achievement
  • Financials
  • Annual Submission
  • Staff Review
  • Update on outstanding recommendations
Mid-Cycle Report

Report and Onsite Review (Spring 2024)

  • Assessment
  • Data Collection and Analysis
  • Planning
  • Onsite peer review in Year 3
  • Staff review of evaluation reports for Commission Meeting consent agenda
Year Six, Standard Two, Policies, Regulations, and Financial Review (PRFR)

Report and Offsite Review (Spring 2027)

  • Financial Performance
  • Policies and Regulations
  • Offsite peer review in Year 6
  • Findings reported to EIE Team in Year 7
Year Seven, Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness (EIE)

Report and Onsite Review of Student Success (Spring 2028)

  • Institutional Mission and Effectiveness
  • Student Learning
  • Student Achievement
  • Onsite peer review in Year 7
  • Review findings from PRFR
  • Commission Decision

Regional Accreditation Statement

NCCU acreditation logoTacoma Community College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes 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 Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities 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.

Inquiries regarding an institution's accredited status by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution.

Individuals may also contact:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
8060 165th Avenue N.E., Suite 100
Redmond, WA 98052
425-558-4224
www.nwccu.org

 

Questions about accreditation? 

Contact Katie Gulliford
Executive Director: Strategic Initiatives

NWCCU Accreditation at TCC

 

Financial Statement Audits

The College undergoes an annual financial statement audit as part of the Accreditation Process (NWCCU Standard 2.E.1), and the College has received a clean (unmodified) opinion on our financial statement audits starting with FY2014 through FY2018 noted below. 

If you have questions on any of these financial statements, please contract Patty McCray-Roberts at 253-566-5050, or email pmccray-roberts@tacomacc.edu.