National Association of Private Nontraditional Schools and Colleges

The National Association of Private Nontraditional Schools and Colleges (NAPNSC) is a United States educational accreditation agency, based in Grand Junction, Colorado, that is not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. NAPNSC specializes in the accreditation of higher education institutions that exclusively offer distance education programs.

It was established in 1974,^[1] under the name National Association for Schools and Colleges, by educators associated with Western Colorado University, an institution in Grand Junction which has subsequently closed down.^[2] According to John Bear, although the organization continues to improve its standards and process, its applications for Department of Education recognition have been turned down on multiple occasions. NAPNSC continues to seek recognition.^[2] Because the organization is not a recognized U.S. accreditor, students who attend institutions that are accredited solely by NAPNSC are not eligible for Title IV student assistance funding (Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, etc.).^[3]

As of November 2006, three institutions were listed as being accredited by NAPNSC. They were:^[4]

• Cook's Institute of Electronics Engineering, Jackson, Mississippi, accredited since 1989
• Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary, Newburgh, Indiana, accredited since 1992
• Washington Institute for Graduate Studies, Washington School of Law, South Jordan, Utah

References

1. ^ History, National Association of Private Nontraditional Schools and Colleges website, archived November 28, 2007
2. ^ ^{a b} Mariah P. Bear, John Bear, Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning, 2003, Ten Speed Press. ISBN 1-58008-431-1.
3. ^ College Accreditation in the United States, U.S. Department of Education, accessed April 11, 2010
4. ^ Institutions, National Association of Private Nontraditional Schools and Colleges website, archived November 28, 2007

External links

• National Association of Private Nontraditional Schools and Colleges website (archived November 6, 2007)