East Central College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA/HLC) and is a participant in the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP).
North Central Association
The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois 60604-1411
Phone: 800.621.7440 / 312.263.0456 Fax: 312.263.7462
The college is recognized by and operates under the coordination of the Missouri Department of Higher Education, is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges and the Missouri Community College Association. East Central College operates certain programs that are fully accredited under national accreditation agency requirements, as noted below.
Additional information on the college’s accreditation under the AQIP process can be found at http://www.eastcentral.edu/faculty/ldrship_initiatives/academicimprove/index.php
The following specific programs within the College carry full program accreditation:
| Culinary Arts | American Culinary Federation (ACF) |
| Industrial Engineering Technology Program |
Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) |
| Precision Machining Program | National Institution for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) |
| Occupation Therapy Assistant (MHPC) | Accrediting Council for Occupational
Therapy Education (ACOTE) |
| Radiologic Technology (joint program) | Joint Review Commission for Education in
Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) |
| Respiratory Care (joint program) | Commission on the Accreditation of Allied
Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) |
These accreditation programs constitute assurance that work satisfactorily completed at East Central College will be recognized at full value by other colleges, universities, professional schools, and state governed professions. Where applicable to employers, licensure, certification and registration boards, a credential from an accredited program signifies adequate preparation for entry into the profession.
In addition, the following programs carry full approval and operate under the regulations of the agencies noted:
| Nursing | Missouri State Board of Nursing |
| EMS/Paramedic | Missouri Bureau of Emergency Medical Services |
| Education | Department of Elementary and Secondary Education |
