Accreditations & Memberships

Overview

Accreditations

Institutional Accreditation

Central Ohio Technical College is fully accredited at the institutional level by the ​Higher Learning Commission.
Address:  230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1411​
Phone: 312.263.0456; Fax: 312.263.7462​.

The process is cyclical with the last reaffirmation of accreditation occurring in 2018-2019. An assurance review was successfully completed in 2023 with no significant comments. The next reaffirmation is in 2028.

Programmatic Accreditation 

Programmatic accreditation focuses on specific academic programs. The following list of COTC programs are accredited through this mechanism.

Accrediting Agency Academic Program Status
Accreditation Council for Business School and Programs (ACBSP) Business Management Technology In good standing; next reaffirmation visit 2026.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP​)

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology

  • Abdominal-Extended  
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Vascular
  • Adult Echocardiography
In good standing; accredited through 2026.  Self-study due 2025.

National Association for the Education of Young Children

Initial accreditation achieved and notification received in a letter of July 14, 2010.  Effective June 2017 through July 2024.

Early Childhood Education Technology, Early Childhood Development & Teaching options Self-study due September 2023, reaccreditation in November 2024.
State Department of Public Safety Emergency Medical Services Technology In good standing; accredited until May 2025.
Technology Accreditation Committee of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (TAC-ABET) Electrical Engineering Technology Accredited until Sept. 30, 2028. Site visit request submitted to ABET by Jan. 31, 2027. Self-study due by July 1, 2027.
International Fire Service Accreditation Congress​ ​Fire Science Technology In good standing. Accredited to April 2027.

Council for Standards in Human Services Education

The Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) has been approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to serve as an accrediting body

Human Services Technology/Social Work Assistant Self-study submitted March 2021 re-approved through February 2026. Self-study due November 2025. Site visit February 2026.
Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission, Ohio Attorney General’s Office
(accredited by each academy offering)
Law Enforcement Technology
Peace Officer Basic Training
In good standing. (Each academy is accredited on as needed basis.)

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

Phone: 404.975.5000

Nursing Technology (Associate Degree Nursing) In good standing.  Next reaccreditation Fall 2028.
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology Radiologic Science Technology In good standing. Accredited to 2025.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting

Surgical Technology In good standing; reaffirmation visit Summer 2023.  Final report pending.

 Program Approval

Some programs engage in an external review process as part of program approval including:

Accrediting Agency Academic Program
Ohio Department ​of Education, Pre-Kindergarten Licensure Early Childhood Education Technology
Ohio Department of Public Safety, Emergency Medical Services Emergency Medical Services Technology
Ohio Board of Nursing Nursing Technology, Associate Degree Nursing
Ohio Board of Nursing Nursing Technology, Practical Nursing Certificate

Memberships

Central Ohio Technical College is a member​ of the:

  • Higher Learning Commission
  • American Association for Higher Education
  • American Association of Community Colleges
  • American Council on Education
  • American Technical Education Association, Inc.
  • National League for Nursing
  • Ohio Association of Two-Year Colleges
  • Ohio College Association
  • Ohio Two-Year College Placement Association
  • League for Innovation in the Community College
  • American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers

COTC programs qualify for Veterans Administration benefits.

State Authorization

What is State Authorization?

State authorization refers to federal, state and professional licensing board regulations that impact online postsecondary educational programs offered across state lines that lead to professional licensure or certification. Compliance with these regulations ensures that your degree from Central Ohio Technical College (COTC)  will be recognized, COTC students will be eligible to sit for licensure in states other than Ohio, and COTC students have access to state licensure information.

SARA

The state of Ohio is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), an agreement that establishes common standards for states offering online/distance learning education courses and programs to students in other states while maintaining compliance with state regulations. As a member participating in SARA, COTC can offer educational opportunities in all 49 SARA member states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico without seeking individual approval in each state. COTC was approved as a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) in 2015.

Learn more about NC-SARA

Authorization & Academic Approval by State

Out-of-state students who are seeking a professional license program through online courses at Central Ohio Technical College should first contact their home state licensing agency. NC-SARA does not provide reciprocity for these programs, and Ohio licensing requirements may not meet the criteria of other state.

​​​Licensure Programs State Authorization Information​

Contact

James Jarc
Dean of Arts and Sciences
740.366-9285

Academic student complaint procedure