Baker College high school program earns national accreditation for 'high quality'

Baker College is one of the first Michigan higher education institutions – and one of 105 nationwide – that has earned national accreditation for its concurrent enrollment program for high school students.

Baker College concurrent enrollment courses are available through the college’s Running Start initiative. It offers state-sanctioned programs that allow high school students to earn college credit at no cost to them, with tuition paid by the secondary school district.

Locally, students at Ecorse, Grosse Ile and Melvindale high schools have access to Baker College concurrent courses.

The accreditation for Baker College’s Running Start is through the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships. NACEP works to ensure college courses at high schools or technical centers are as rigorous as courses offered on the sponsoring college’s campus and are taught by high school teachers who meet the same academic requirements as those teaching on campus.

“This accreditation leaves no question about the rigor or quality of our concurrent enrollment model with our K-12 partners,” said Bart Daig, Baker College System president and CEO. “NACEP is the leader in supporting programs that successfully transition students from high school to college through college credit-bearing courses.”

NACEP is the only organization that has set national quality standards for concurrent enrollment partnerships.

“We commend Baker College for its commitment to uphold high standards for program quality and academic oversight,” said Adam Lowe, NACEP executive director. “For more than 60 years NACEP and its accredited programs have demonstrated that the academic integrity of college courses can be maintained in the high-school setting.”

Victoria Zeppelin, NACEP Accreditation Commission chair, said, “NACEP accreditation is the hallmark of excellence, assuring that concurrent enrollment programs support student achievement and postsecondary success. NACEP-accredited programs meet established best practices in the areas of curriculum, faculty, students, assessment and program evaluation.”

To earn NACEP accreditation, Baker College documented its program’s adherence to NACEP standards and underwent a rigorous peer review by representatives of NACEP‐accredited programs and the NACEP Accreditation Commission. The accreditation is valid for seven years, with annual reporting required.

The National Student Clearinghouse reports that 25 percent of the 2 million undergraduate degree earners in 2014-15 took at least one dual or concurrent enrollment course in high school.

Baker College Running Start opportunities include early/middle college, direct credit, articulation and dual enrollment along with concurrent enrollment. For more information, students should contact their school counselor, and school district administrators should contact Running Start Coordinator Peni Aldrich, Ph.D., 810.766.2087 or peni.aldrich@baker.edu.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is a not-for-profit higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Founded in 1911, Baker College grants doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees, as well as certificates in diverse academic fields including applied technology, business, education, engineering, health science, information technology and social science. Baker College has on-ground campuses throughout Michigan and offers online programs that can be completed 100 percent online without ever visiting a campus. In 2016, the Online Learning Consortium recognized Baker College Online with the OLC Quality Scorecard Exemplary Endorsement, the highest ranking for online higher education programs. For information, visit www.baker.edu or follow Baker College on Twitter, @bakercollege, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bakercollege.

About NACEP

The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships is the leading membership organization supporting programs that successfully transition students from high school to college through college credit-bearing courses. We promote quality programming through national standards, accreditation and professional development. Our members offer college courses to high school students through a variety of delivery methods and use a range of terms such as concurrent enrollment, dual enrollment, dual credit and early college. NACEP’s national network of more than 400 colleges and universities, 60 high schools and school districts, and 30 state agencies and system offices actively share the latest knowledge about best practices, research and advocacy. More information is at www.nacep.org.

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