ACCREDITED BY THE SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS COMMISSION ON COLLEGES (SACSCOC)

St. Petersburg College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)  to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. St. Petersburg College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of St. Petersburg College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

SPC's Offices of Institutional Effectiveness and Institutional Research (IE & IR) provide information and analytical support to college-wide internal decision-making, external accountability, strategic planning, and ongoing continuous institutional improvement. Through collaborative leadership, these offices support 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

SACSCOC 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+ 2023 2030 Florida Department of Education1

Final Approval
Nursing 2021 2031 Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education1, 3

Final Approval
Paralegal * 2018 2025 American Bar Association1

Final Approval
Veterinary Technology 2024 2030 American Veterinary Medical Association - Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities1, 2, 3

Final Approval

+The Florida Dept. of Education grants approval to individual programs within the College of Education, which currently consists of three 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."

Associate in Science programs

Programs Last Accreditation Next Accreditation Accrediting Agency/Final Approval
Dental Hygiene 2019 2026 American Dental Association - Commission on Dental Accreditation1, 2, 3

Final Approval
Emergency Medical Services 2024 2029 CAAHEP - Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions 2

Final Approval
Funeral Services + 2023 2030 American Board of Funeral Service Education1, 2, 3

Final Approval
Health Information Technology 2021 2028

Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education2, 3

Final Approval

Nursing 2020 2028 Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing1, 2, 3

Final Approval
Paralegal 2018 2025 American Bar Association1

Final Approval
Physical Therapist Assistant 2018 2029 American Physical Therapy Association -  Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education1, 2, 3

Final Approval
Radiography 2018 2026 Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology1, 2

Final Approval
Respiratory Care 2018 2028 Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care2, 3

Final Approval
Surgical Services 2023 2028

CAAHEP - Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting2 

 Final Approval

Veterinary Technology 2024 2030 American Veterinary Medical Association - Committee on Veterinary Education and Activities1, 2, 3

Final Approval

+  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 2023 2025

Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Emergency Medical Services1

Final Approval

Paramedic

2024

2029

CAAHEP - Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions 2

Final Approval

2023

2025

Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Emergency Medical Services1

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 2024 2030 American Veterinary Medical Association - Committee on Veterinary Education and Activities1, 2, 3

Final Approval
Education 2023 2030

Florida Department of Education1

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)