History & Accreditations
In 1965, funds were provided to Belmont County by the Appalachian Regional Commission to construct a post-secondary technical institute. During the winter of 1969-70, the first classes were taught in the evening in temporary facilities located in St. Clairsville, while the Main Building was being constructed. Full-time instruction began in Fall 1970.
The Institute’s first Board of Trustees was sworn into office on May 28, 1971, and a State Charter was granted to Belmont Technical Institute on May 21, 1971, allowing the Institute to serve Belmont, Harrison, and Monroe Counties. The Main Building was completed later that summer in time for the second year of full-time instruction. On December 21, 1971, the Board of Trustees changed the Institute’s name to Belmont Technical College.
In 1978, the College was accredited for the first time by The Higher Learning Commission (www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org or 800-621-7440), a regional accrediting body, and has maintained accreditation since that time. In addition, the College is approved and/or accredited by the following agencies: United States Department of Education; Ohio Approving Agency for Veterans Training; Ohio Department of Higher Education; Ohio Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation; Ohio Board of Nursing; Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP); American Heart Association; and the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of EMS/Fire.
On July 1, 2012, the College name was changed from Belmont Technical College to Belmont College because it better reflects the expanded College mission of offering not only technical degrees and certificates, but also pre-baccalaureate degrees.
Initially, the College offered three associate degree programs in business and now offers more than 24 associate degrees and 24 certificates in Business, Engineering, Industrial Trades, Nursing/Allied Health, Public Service, Building Preservation/Restoration, Information Technology, Early Childhood Education, and pre-baccalaureate studies. The College grants two-year applied associate degrees and certificates, as well as Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) pre-baccalaureate degrees. Through articulation agreements with four-year colleges and universities, the Ohio Transfer 36, and the Ohio Transfer Assurance Guides, many courses in these programs are transferable to public four-year institutions. The AA and AS degrees potentially constitute the first two years of a bachelor’s degree.
Noncredit classes are also offered on campus, in the community, and at industrial and business sites. Classes are offered during the day, evening, as well as online.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Effective August 30, 2023, this nursing program is a candidate for initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. This candidacy status expires on August 30, 2025. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000 http://www.acenursing.com/candidates/candidacy.asp
Note: Upon granting of initial accreditation by the ACEN Board of Commissioners, the effective date of initial accreditation is the date on which the nursing program was approved by the ACEN as a candidate program that concluded in the Board of Commissioners granting initial accreditation.