Specialized Accreditation and Professional Program Approvals
Specialized organizations have awarded accreditation and other approvals to several Ridgewater College programs. These professional organizations are recognized by the Council for Higher Education accreditation, the United States Department of Education, and/or the associated profession for each of the programs listed.
For more information, please contact the coordinators below.
| Program | Coordinator(s) | Endorsing Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive Service Technology Program | Jonathan Friton | |
| Auto Tech Faculty | ||
| Jon.Friton@ridgewater.edu | ||
| 320-222-5580 | National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) | |
| Continuing Accredited 2020, | ||
| Next visit November 2024 |
| | Cosmetology | Allison Warne – Willmar Salon Manager, CLA Allison.Warne@ridgewater.edu 320-222-5972
Melissa Loehlein – Hutchinson Salon Manager, Faculty melissa.loehlein@ridgewater.edu
| Minnesota Board of Cosmetology
Continued Licensure August 2023, Next visit 2026 - Willmar Campus
Initial Licensure September 2025 - Hutchinson Campus Next visit 2028
| | Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic | Cody Aston BS, NRP Faculty/ Program Director cody.Aston@ridgewater.edu (320) 222-6065 | The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP)
Continued Accreditation March 2024, Next visit 2029
| | Massage Therapy | Jaclyn Smith Program Coordinator, Faculty jaclyn.smith@ridgewater.edu | National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB)
Designated an Assigned School June 2019 through June 2028.
| | Massage Therapy | Jaclyn Smith Program Coordinator, Faculty jaclyn.smith@ridgewater.edu | Commission on Message Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)
Endorsed Curriculum September 2024 through September 2028
| | Medical Assistant | Cherie Miller AAS, CMA, LPN Medical Assistant Faculty Cherie.miller@ridgewater.edu 320-222-7572 | Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Continuing Accreditation April 2019, Next visit April 2028
| | Nursing – Practical | Mary Leyk MSN, RN Dean of Nursing and Allied Health mary.leyk@ridgewater.edu 320-222-5210 | The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN)
Continuing Accreditation Sept. 2018, Next visit Fall 2026
| | Nursing – Associate Degree | Mary Leyk MSN, RN Dean of Nursing and Allied Health mary.leyk@ridgewater.edu 320-222-5210 | The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN)
Continuing Accreditation April 2025, Next visit Fall 2032
| | Peace Officer | Kyle Larson BS, PPOE Peace Officer Faculty kyle.larson@ridgewater.edu 320-222-7535 | Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training
Reaccreditation 2020, Next accreditation visit Fall 2025 – results of survey expected spring 2026
| | Radiology Technologist | Matthew Gault, Radiology Technologist Faculty matthew.gault@ridgewater.edu | Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
Initial accreditation awarded October 2025, Next accreditation visit 2028.
| | Veterinarian Technician | Roxanne Graham, CVT Vet Tech Faculty Roxanne.Graham@ridgewater.edu 320-222-8266 | The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Full accreditation June 2024, Interim report April 2026
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