Board grants full accreditation to Tri County’s distance practical-nursing program

Andrew Beyer, the agency’s accreditation coordinator, explained the distance-education approval process and the October on-site review of Tri County Technology Center’s practical nursing program. Beyer said examiners from the accreditation division interviewed administrators and staff, observed the distance-education (DE) platform, and evaluated standards for program integrity, resources, assessment, student support and program effectiveness. The team recommended full accreditation and will follow up mid-year to verify attendance tracking, clock-hour monitoring and that the same student performs required work.

Tara Gottwald, chief instructional officer from Tri County, thanked the agency team and said the program team worked hard to meet standards. Board members praised the program and noted Tri County could serve as a model; a board member moved and the board approved full accreditation in a roll-call vote.

Agency staff noted the DE accreditation process is rigorous under a clock-hour system and discussed potential expansion pathways — including apprenticeships and hospital clinical models — to scale nursing training beyond a single district.