American River College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)--an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.  ARC received its most recent accreditation "without condition"--the highest ranking a college can receive--in January 2004.

Individual programs of the college with additional accreditation include:

• The Automotive Technology Program is accredited by the National Automotive Technical Education Foundation (NATEF)
• The Dietary Manager (Dietary Service Supervision) option is accredited by the Dietary Managers Association and the California State Department of Health Services.
• The Funeral Service Education Program is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE).
• The Human Services option, Chemical Dependency Studies, is accredited by the California Alcoholism and Drug Counselors Education Program, and the California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators.
• The A.S. Nursing Program is accredited by the California State Board of Registered Nursing.
• The Paramedic Program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professional (CoAEMSP).
• The Respiratory Care Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Accreditation is a voluntary, independent review of educational programs to determine that the education provided is of uniform and sound quality. Being awarded accreditation ensures that an institution has been evaluated and that it met set standards of quality determined by the accrediting organization granting the accreditation. A college or university's accreditation is maintained by continued adherence to the set criteria. Courses offered at an accredited institution generally are transferable to other institutions and qualify for financial aid.

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