St. Petersburg College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) to award selected bachelor's degrees in science and bachelor's degrees in applied science; associate degrees in arts, associate degrees in science, and associate degrees in applied science; as well as certificates and applied technology diplomas. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of St. Petersburg College.
SPC’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness & Academic Services (IR) provides information and analytical support to college-wide internal decision-making, external accountability, strategic planning, and ongoing continuous institutional improvement. Through collaborative leadership, the office supports a broad range of planning, research and assessment activities, including those that support student learning outcomes assessment, department/program review, as well as institutional and programmatic accreditation.
Why accreditation matters
SACS-COC accreditation means an institution is dedicated to providing quality higher education and ongoing improvement through planning, assessment, and quality enhancement.
- Credits from accredited institutions are transferable to and from other accredited institutions, ensuring students receive a credible, top-quality education.
- Only accredited institutions are permitted to award federal financial aid to students.
- By law, an A.A. degree from SPC grants you admission as a junior to one of the state's public universities.
In addition, the following programs are accredited or approved by state or national organizations. The last accreditation year indicates the most recent accreditation or approval decision following the completion of a self-study.
Bachelor's degree programs
| Programs | Last Accreditation | Next Accreditation | Accrediting Agency/Final Approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education+ | 2010 | 2022 | Florida Department of Education - Bureau of Educator Recruitment, Development, and Retention1 Final Approval |
| Nursing | 2011 | 2022 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education1 Final Approval |
| Orthotics and Prosthetics | 2013 | N/A** | CAAHEP - National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education |
| Paralegal * | 2018 | 2025 | American Bar Association1 Final Approval |
| Veterinary Technology | 2017 | 2024 | American Veterinary Medical Association - Committee on Veterinary Education and Activities1, 2 Final Approval |
+ The Florida Dept. of Education grants approval to individual programs within the College of Education, which currently consists of seven active B.S. programs.
*The American Bar Association evaluates the A.S. degree, B.A.S. degree, and the post-baccalaureate certificate during a single visit. This agency "approves" programs but does not "accredit."
**Effective Spring 2017, the Orthotics and Prosthetics program is inactive and will no longer seek accreditation.
Associate in Science programs
+ The Funeral Services program at St. Petersburg college is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) 992 Mantua Pike, Suite 108, Woodburry Heights, NJ 08097 (816) 233-3747. Web: www.abfse.org
*Ongoing accreditation with yearly completion of Annual Program Assessment Report
The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at St. Petersburg College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org.
Lower-Division Certificate programs
| Certificates | Last Accreditation | Next Accreditation | Accrediting Agency/Final Approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician | 2015 | 2022 | Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Emergency Medical Services1 Final Approval |
| Paramedic | 2015 2015 |
2022 2022 |
CAAHEP - Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions 2 Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Emergency Medical Services1 Final Approval |
| Veterinary Technology | 2017 | 2024 | American Veterinary Medical Association - Committee on Veterinary Education and Activities1, 2 Final Approval |
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate programs
| Certificates | Last Accreditation | Next Accreditation | Accrediting Agency/Final Approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paralegal | 2018 | 2025 | American Bar Association1 Final Approval |
| Veterinary Technology | 2017 | 2024 | American Veterinary Medical Association - Committee on Veterinary Education and Activities1, 2 Final Approval |
| Education | 2010 | 2022 | Florida Department of Education - Bureau of Educator Recruitment, Development, and Retention1 Final Approval |
1Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE)
2Recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
3Recognized by the Association for Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA)