March 1965
On March 19, 1965, private school educators representing 35 schools held an organizational meeting in Chicago, Illinois to form the National Association of Trade and Technical Schools (NATTS).
June 1965
At the June 17–18, 1965 meeting in Chicago, Illinois, 39 schools applied for membership in the new organization and the first NATTS Officers were elected.
October 1965
October 20, 1965, the first Board of Directors meeting of the NATTS Accrediting Commission took place. At that meeting, NATTS accepted its first official 24 member schools.
December 1966
On December 14, 1966, NATTS meets with the U.S. Office of Education to discuss the recognition process and to better define what constitutes “an eligible institution”.
January 1967
In January 1967 the accrediting commission of the National Association of Trade and Technical Schools published its first list of accredited schools.
April 1967
On April 13, 1967, NATTS files its Application for Listing with the United States Office of Education.
July 1967
On July 24, 1967, NATTS appears before the United States Office of Education Accrediting Review Committee.
August 1967
In a letter dated August 24, 1967, the Accrediting Commission of the National Association of Trade and Technical Schools was listed by the U.S. Office of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency which confirmed the Commission’s status as a reliable authority for the establishment of educational standards.
1975–1981
NATTS begins publishing the Career News Digest, a resource for high school students interested in pursuing post-secondary vocational training and adopts “Learning to Make America Work” as a new focus for the organization.
1985
In 1985, NATTS celebrates its 20th Anniversary, recognizing the many accomplishments of the organization over the previous two decades, including the publishing of the NATTS Handbook of Trade and Technical Careers and Training.
1990
In 1990, NATTS joined with the Association of Independent Colleges and Schools and the organization’s name changed to the Accrediting Commission of Trade and Technical Schools (ACTTS), a part of the Career College Association (CCA).
1993
In 1993, the Accreditation Commission separated from the trade association unit creating a new wholly independent organization—the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).
2001
In January 2001, ACCSCT receives recognition from the U.S. Department of Education to add distance education approval to its Scope of Recognition.
May 2006
In May 2006 the U.S. Department of Education approves ACCSCT’s addition of master's degrees programs predominantly organized to educate students for occupational, trade and technical careers to its scope of recognition.
2009
In October 2009, ACCSCT changed its name again to the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
2011
In 2011, the U.S. Secretary of Education continued ACCSC’s recognition for five years, the maximum timeframe allowed under the federal guidelines with no findings of non-compliance.
2014
In 2014, ACCSC earned recognition from the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE).
2016
In 2016, ACCSC earned its second consecutive 5 year recognition grant with no findings of non-compliance.
2017
In 2017, ACCSC celebrates 50 Years of continued organizational success at a recognized agency with the U.S. Department of Education.
ACCSC
Setting the Standard for Quality Education
