Northern Marianas College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The College posts regular updates about accreditation related news and activities on the main page of our website.
NMC's Accreditation History
In June 1985, NMC received its initial accreditation from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). This accreditation was reaffirmed in 1990, 1996, and again in 2001. In 2001, NMC was given initial accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities (ACSCU), now known as WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a rare distinction among U.S. community colleges. This accreditation allowed the College to offer its Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education.
Northern Marianas College's accreditation was evaluated again in 2006 ' 2007 and reaffirmed by the Accrediting Commission for Colleges and Junior Colleges. The institution underwent a six year comprehensive evaluation in 2012 by ACCJC and WSCUC. The College was placed on Show Cause status in February 2013 and a visit was scheduled for October 2013. Accreditation was Reaffirmed in the February 7th, 2014 Action Letter. Immediately afterwards NMC applied for accreditation fully under WSCUC and was granted Initial Accreditation in the July 7th, 2014 Action Letter.
In the spring of 2014 NMC also completed Substantive Change to offer a Bachelors of Science in Business Management, which was approved in the summer of 2014. NMC now offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Business Management.
Accreditation Reports and Action Letters (Listed chronologically starting with most recent)
- WSCUC Substantive Change Report Approval for BSBM Distance Education - January 27, 2025
- WSCUC Substantive Change Approval for AALA Distance Education - January 27, 2025
- WSCUC Substantive Change Report Institutional Approval for Distance Education - November 23, 2021
- Report of the WSCUC Visiting Team, Reaffirmation of Accreditation - October 25-29, 2021
- WSCUC Offsite Review (OSR) Summary of Lines of Inquiry - March 12, 2020
- NMC Reaffirmation Report - January 6, 2020
- NMC Federal Compliance Worksheet - January 6, 2020
- NMC Review under WSCUC Standards - January 6, 2020
- NMC Super Typhoon Yutu Updates - December 4, 2018
- WSCUC Midcycle Review Notice - October 12, 2018
- WSCUC Progress Report Response Notice - June 24, 2018
- NMC Progress Report for Special Visit - November 1, 2017
- WSCUC Interim Progress Report Action Summary - June 6, 2017
- WSCUC Interim Progress Report Action Summary - May 30, 2017
- WSCUC Action Letter - March 9, 2017
- NMC Interim Report - March 6, 2017
- WSCUC Action Letter - July 7, 2014
- Report of the WSCUC Visiting Team, Initial Accreditation Pathway B - April 30-May 2, 2014
- NMC Show Cause Supplemental Report - December 18, 2013
- Show Cause Visit Team Report - October 21-22, 2013
- NMC Show Cause Report - October 15, 2013
- WASC-ACCJC External Evaluation Report, October 22-25, 2012
- Report of the WASC Special Visit Team (ACSCU), October 22-25, 2012
- Addendum to the NMC Self Evaluation Report 2012
- NMC SOE Self Evaluation Report to WASC Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities 2012
- NMC Self Evaluation Report 2012
- Follow Up and Special Visit Report November 7-9, 2011
- NMC Oct. 15, 2011 Follow-Up Report
- NMC Show Cause Supplemental Report - May 31, 2011
- NMC Show Cause and Special Visit Report - April 13-14, 2011
- NMC Show Cause Report - March 15, 2011
- NMC Show Cause Supplemental Report - December 28, 2010
- WASC-ACCJC Show Cause Visit Report - October 20-22, 2010
- NMC Show Cause Report - October 15, 2010
- WASC Special Visit Report - April 13-14, 2010
- WASC - ACCJC Action Letter - January 29, 2010
- WASC-ACCJC Visiting Team Report - October 27, 2009
- NMC Mid-Term Report - October 15, 2009
- WASC Action Letter (Reaffirmation) - June 30, 2009
- NMC Supplemental Report - May 29, 2009
- NMC Show Cause Report - April 1, 2009
- WASC Action Letter - February 3, 2009