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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education+ | 2010 | 2021 | Florida Department of Education - Bureau of Educator Recruitment, Development, and Retention1 |
| Nursing | 2011 | 2021 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education1 |
| Orthotics and Prosthetics | 2013 | N/A** | CAAHEP - National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education2 |
| Paralegal * | 2018 | 2025 | American Bar Association1 |
| Veterinary Technology | 2017 | 2024 | American Veterinary Medical Association - Committee on Veterinary Education and Activities1, 2 |
+ 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
| Programs | Last Accreditation | Next Accreditation | Accrediting Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygiene | 2019 | 2026 | American Dental Association - Commission on Dental Accreditation1 |
| Emergency Medical Services | 2015 | 2020 | CAAHEP - Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions2 |
| Funeral Services + | 2015 | 2022 | American Board of Funeral Service Education1, 2 |
| Health Information Technology | 2004 | None scheduled* | Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education2, 3 |
| Nursing | 2012 | 2020 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing1, 2 |
| Paralegal | 2018 | 2025 | American Bar Association1 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | 2017 | 2027 | American Physical Therapy Association - Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education1, 2 |
| Radiography | 2018 | 2026 | Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology1, 2 |
| Respiratory Care | 2017 | 2027 | Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care2, 3 |
| Veterinary Technology | 2017 | 2024 | American Veterinary Medical Association - Committee on Veterinary Education and Activities1, 2 |
+ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician | 2015 | 2020 | Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Emergency Medical Services1 |
| Paramedic | 2015 2015 |
2020 2020 |
CAAHEP - Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions2 Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Emergency Medical Services1 |
| Veterinary Technology | 2017 | 2024 | American Veterinary Medical Association - Committee on Veterinary Education and Activities1, 2 |
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate programs
| Certificates | Last Accreditation | Next Accreditation | Accrediting Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paralegal | 2011 | 2018 | American Bar Association1 |
| Veterinary Technology | 2017 | 2024 | American Veterinary Medical Association - Committee on Veterinary Education and Activities1, 2 |
| Education | 2010 | 2021 | Florida Department of Education - Bureau of Educator Recruitment, Development, and Retention1 |
1 Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE)
2 Recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
3 Recognized by the Association for Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA)
