Accreditation at Lake Erie College | Higher Learning Commission
Regional Accreditation
In 1913, the college received accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Since its beginning as a women's college and "little sister" of Mount Holyoke, Lake Erie College has grown into a co-educational college that offers a range of baccalaureate and graduate degrees.
Currently accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), our Statement of Affiliation Status identifies us as an institution that meets the Commission's Criteria for Accreditation. The College is currently on the Standard Pathway following a successful reaffirmation of accreditation visit in December 2017.
HLC accreditation provides objective, peer review of acceptable institutional quality and defines opportunities and incentives for quality improvement. Accreditation is voluntarily sought by institutions and is conferred by non-governmental agencies and is needed to ensure students are eligible to apply for financial aid and that the institution is eligible to apply for certain grants.
Contact information regarding the HLC is as follows:
The Higher Learning Commission 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500 Chicago, IL 60604 Phone: 800.621.7440
State Authorization
Lake Erie College is authorized by the state of Ohio by the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) to offer select undergraduate and graduate programs. More information on the ODHE may be found at https://www.ohiohighered.org/.
Programmatic Accreditation
Many of our programs are additionally accredited by discipline-specific accreditators. For more information please check out the Discipline Specific Accreditation list.
Distance Learning Reciprocity Agreement
Lake Erie College has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).
NC-SARA is the organization that establishes national standards for postsecondary distance education. The NC-SARA accreditation allows Lake Erie College to offer exceptional online, distance learning course and programs.
Program Disclosures (NC-SARA)
Reading Endorsement Program
The Lake Erie College Reading Endorsement Program is a fully online program that meets Ohio's requirements for adding a reading endorsement to an existing teaching license. Lake Erie College is accredited and approved by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) as well as the Ohio Department of Higher Education. Candidates who successfully complete the program and pass all associated state licensure exams are eligible to apply and be recommended for the reading endorsement. Completion of this program may not meet education requirements for a reading endorsement in another state. If you are planning to pursue a licensure endorsement in a state other than Ohio, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding endorsement requirements before beginning this academic program. Reach out to Amy Markijohn at amymarkijohn@lec.edu with more questions.
Mild-to-Moderate Intervention Specialist Licensure Program
The Lake Erie College Post-Baccalaureate Mild to Moderate Intervention Specialist (K-12) is a fully online licensure only program that meets Ohio licensure requirements. Lake Erie College is accredited and approved by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) as well as the Ohio Department of Higher Education. Students who successfully complete the program and pass all associated state licensure exams are eligible to apply, and be recommended for the MMIS K-12 licensure in the state of Ohio. Completion of this program may not meet education requirements for a license in another state. If you are planning to pursue professional licensure in a state other than Ohio, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding licensure requirements before beginning this academic program. Reach out to Professor and Coordinator of Special Education Dr. Katie Davis at katiedavis@lec.edu for more information.
Physician Assistant Program
To become a certified PA (PA-C), a graduate must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), a computer-based, multiple-choice test comprised of questions that assess basic medical and surgical knowledge. PANCE is administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. More information can be found at www.nccpa.net.
In addition, students must obtain state medical board registration/licensure. A PA may not begin working as a Physician Assistant in any state until he/she has successfully passed the PANCE AND has been licensed/registered by the state in which they practice. Failure to complete these steps is practicing without a medical license and is a felony. Students are responsible for ensuring they obtain all required licenses and certifications. Lake Erie College is not responsible for registration or licensing; the student is solely responsible for all such requirements and verifying they have the proper authorizations to practice medicine. More information on state licensing can be found at https://www.aapa.org/career-central/become-a-pa/
Reach out to PA Program Coordinator Sean Kramer, MSHS, PA-C at skramer@lec.edu for more information.
U.S. State by State Disclosure List
See which of our programs licenses meet requirements in other states.
For specific information regarding accreditation at Lake Erie College and specific institutional data:
Johnathan Tedesco, Ph.D.
Dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Associate Professor of Chemistry
Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Austin Hall 302