Accreditation & Approvals

Why is accreditation important? Although graduating from an accredited program does not guarantee jobs or licensure for individuals, it may facilitate such achievement. It reflects the quality by which an educational institution or a program conducts its business. It speaks to a sense of public trust, as well as to professional quality. As a student, accreditation provides assurance that the program in which you are enrolled or are considering enrolling is engaged in continuous review and improvement of its quality, that it meets nationally endorsed standards in the profession, and that it is accountable for achieving what it sets out to do.

Accreditation is an important credential to look for when choosing a college. If you have credits to transfer from another accredited institution, you will want to make sure both schools have accreditation that allows you to transfer credits back and forth. Accreditation is also important for your degree to be widely recognized by employers and professional associations. Accreditation is an assurance to students and the public that an institution meets or exceeds standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability.

Historical Accreditation, Authorization, and Approvals:  College of Court Reporting (CCR) was granted authorization to conduct business by the Indiana Board for Proprietary Education (BPE) on January 1, 1985. A little over two years later, on November 1, 1987, CCR was granted approval by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA). Finally, in September 1989, CCR was granted accreditation by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) to award Diplomas, Certificates, and Occupational Associate Degrees.

Today, CCR is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). CCR received an initial three-year grant of accreditation from DEAC through June, 2021 and then, after vigorous review, earned a five year grant of accreditation from DEAC.  CCR currently offers an A.A.S. in Court Reporting, a Certificate in Court Reporting, and a Certificate in Voice Writing. DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency, and is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CHEA is a nonprofit organization serving as a national advocate for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation. DEAC contact information: 1101 17th Street NW, Suite 808, Washington, D.C. 20036, Telephone: (202) 234-5100, Fax: (202) 332-1386, Website: https://www.deac.org/

DEAC Accreditation Standard V.C requires that an accredited institution routinely disclose on its website reliable, current, and accurate information on its performance, including student achievement, as determined by the institution. Information on performance and student achievement may include aggregated data on completion, graduation, retention, academic transfer, graduate school entry, employment, professional advancement or other indicators approved by DEAC.  The following link will provde information regarding CCR’s disclosures:  DEAC Student Achievement Disclosure for the Public

DEAC permits distance education services that are not part of CCR’s accredited degree or non-degree program curricula. These could include, by way of example, continuing education courses, professional development courses, and courses offered in partnership with individual businesses. However, any distance education offerings of this nature are designated as outside of the scope of accreditation granted by DEAC.

NCRA – CCR is approved by and has met the General Requirements established by the Council on Approved Student Education of NCRA. NCRA is not an accrediting agency; however, all NCRA-approved programs are accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. NCRA contact information: 12030 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 400, Reston, Virginia 20191, Telephone: (800) 272-6272, Website: http://www.ncra.org

National Verbatim Reporters Association (NVRA) – CCR is an affilliate of NVRA.  Founded in 1967, NVRA is the only national professional organization dedicated to the practice of voice writing, offering support and benefits to its members, certification, conferences, and newsletters.  NVRA offers several levels of membership. Court reporters using either voice or stenographic methods may become general members of NVRA. NVRA contact information: 629 North Main Street Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39401, Telephone: (601) 582-4345, Website: http://www.nvra.org

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) – CCR participates in SARA and is authorized to offer programs in member states that have agreed to adhere to comparable national standards for interstate offerings of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. This reciprocity process among member states endeavors to ensure high quality standards in relation to state authorization for distance learning. The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) is a private, nonprofit organization that helps expand students’ access to postsecondary educational opportunities and ensure more efficient, consistent, and effective regulation of distance education programs through SARA.  NC-SARA contact information: 3005 Center Green Drive, Suite 130, Boulder, Colorado, 80301, Telephone: (720) 680-1600, Website: https://nc-sara.org/