Virginia College in Jackson Nursing Program Receives Full Accreditation

JACKSON, Miss., Aug. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Virginia College in Jackson is pleased to announce that members of the Mississippi Community College Board voted unanimously to recommend full accreditation status to Virginia College's Practical Nursing program. Full accreditation is the final step of the five-step accreditation process and is subject to renewal every six years.

"Virginia College could not be more pleased with the Board's decision to approve our Practical Nursing program here in Jackson," said Virginia College Jackson President Milton Anderson.  "Students who complete the Practical Nursing Program at Virginia College are well prepared for the state licensure exam and are ready to enter the field of nursing, and the Board recognized that."

Virginia College's Practical Nursing Program was developed and approved as the first nursing education program in Mississippi offered by a career college in more than 10 years. The vote for accreditation also follows the recent announcement of the colleges' upcoming relocation.

In spring 2013, as a result of continued growth, students of Virginia College in Jackson will attend classes at a new facility. The private institution of higher education outgrew its 50,200 sq.-ft. campus and will move to a larger 65,000 sq.-ft. facility located at 5841 Ridgewood Road. The school's new location represents $5.1 million in renovations, furniture, fixtures and lab equipment.

"Virginia College in Jackson will continue to thrive and grow, and we are committed to this community. Not only are we offering a new, first class facility for our students, but we are also offering an accredited nursing program to interested students," said Anderson. "We have signed a 15-year lease at our new location because of our confidence in our ability to serve the students and employers in Jackson, Hinds County and Mississippi."

Virginia College currently has 25 schools located throughout the Southeast and has graduated tens of thousands of successful students in its 30-year history.

About Virginia College and Education Corporation of America

Birmingham, Ala.-based Education Corporation of America is a leader in the post-secondary career school market with current enrollment of over 19,000 students. Holdings include Virginia College, founded in 1983, a private institution of higher education that offers non-degree and associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs in the areas of Health and Medical, Business, Information Technology, Interior Design, Computer Design, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, and more with locations in 25 different cities in the following states: Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. Virginia College also offers classes online via www.vconline.edu and operates Culinard, the Culinary Institute of Virginia College. ECA also owns and operates the Golf Academy of America schools in California, Arizona, South Carolina, Texas, and Florida as well as the Ecotech Institute in Colorado, which is the first and only college focused on preparing students for careers in renewable energy and sustainable design.

ECA schools are accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) which is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). For more information, contact Diane Worthington at [email protected] or (205) 329-7911.

SOURCE Virginia College