Board grants accreditation for Canadian Valley distance-education aesthetician program

The State Board granted full accreditation to Canadian Valley Technology Center’s aesthetician program delivered in a distance-education format, the board was told. The accreditation recommendation followed an on-site review of the distance-education delivery and program elements.

Agency process and oversight: Joey Vanek of the agency’s accreditation division summarized the review process and standards, noting the evaluation covered program integrity, technology and resources, learning development and instruction, skill attainment and assessment, student support, marketing and recruitment, student engagement and program effectiveness.

Follow-up requirements: Because distance education is relatively new for full-time programs in the system, agency staff said they will follow up midyear to confirm attendance tracking, clock-hour monitoring, verification that enrolled students are completing their own work, and overall program quality. The accreditation will be part of the full institutional accreditation cycle every five years.

Board action and vote: After the agency recommendation, the board moved to approve full accreditation for the program. The motion passed (votes recorded in the meeting transcript as yes from board members present). The board asked that staff return if any changes were required after the midyear review.

Context: Agency staff said the 600-hour aesthetician program helps students complete required hours that can be difficult to fit inside the high-school calendar; distance delivery provides flexibility to help some students complete licensure-related hours.