To validate that the program is properly preparing students for the challenges of the HVACR industry, the faculty and staff at NLTC decided to pursue programmatic accreditation. Programmatic accreditation is where an independent third party, HVAC Excellence, reviews a program against set educational and industry standards.

In seeking accreditation, the NLTC staff first had to complete a self-study showing how they met each of the required standards. The self-study once completed was sent to HVAC Excellence for the executive team to assess for compliance against each standard. Upon completion of their review, HVAC Excellence selected a group of industry veterans with combined technical, administrative, and teaching experience in the HVACR industry to validate the self-study through a review of the program.

Having reviewed the self-study and evaluated the program, HVAC Excellence decided to grant a six-year accreditation of the program.

According to a statement from the college, some of the benefits of HVAC Excellence’s HVACR programmatic accreditation include:

• Students can have more confidence in the HVACR program;

• Employers have the assurance that the graduates are properly trained;

• Creates goals for self improvement;

• Can assist the students in the acceptability of transfer credits; and

• It involved the faculty in the evaluation process.

To learn more, go to http://region7.ltc.edu/.

Publication date: 10/22/2012