We Did It! NCOAE is Now Accredited by Cognia

Last September, we told you we were seeking accreditation from a trio of the nation’s top accrediting bodies: the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), and the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC).

And today, we’re pleased to share that Cognia — the parent organization of the above-mentioned agencies — has officially granted The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) full accreditation status. This is a huge milestone for us, and even more so for the students and families we serve.

What Cognia Accreditation Means for NCOAE Students and Partners

This recognition confirms that NCOAE meets Cognia’s rigorous performance standards, which are the same standards applied to traditional schools, education service providers, and school districts across the country and around the world. More important, it means that students who complete select NCOAE programs — including our High School Summer Block-Semester — may now be eligible to earn and transfer academic credit to their high school.

We’ve always believed that wilderness and the backcountry is a powerful classroom. Now, it’s also an accredited one. 

Why Cognia Accreditation Matters

Cognia is a globally respected nonprofit that accredits more than 36,000 schools and education providers in over 90 countries. Through its regional agencies, Cognia is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Its rigorous evaluation process ensures that institutions like ours deliver high-quality, student-centered learning.

By earning this accreditation, NCOAE:

• Strengthens our credibility as a provider of academically rigorous, outdoor and adventure-based experiential education.
• Aligns our curriculum with national and international education standards.
• Validates the transferability of academic credit earned through our programs.
• Reaffirms our commitment to continuous improvement in both our operations and every course we offer.

“Earning Cognia accreditation is a powerful affirmation of the quality and impact of our programs,” says our very own Zac Adair, NCOAE’s Co-Founder and Executive Director. “It tells our students, families, and educational partners that what we offer is more than just outdoor adventure — it’s accredited, meaningful education that builds character, confidence, and transferable academic achievement.”

The Journey to Accreditation

We didn’t arrive at this milestone overnight. From our candidacy review to the final evaluation, the Cognia accreditation process challenged us to reflect, refine, and elevate everything we do. It’s been rigorous—and exactly the kind of challenge we welcome.

And we’re no strangers to high standards. NCOAE is also accredited by:

• The Association for Experiential Education (AEE) — recognizing excellence in adventure-based learning and field safety.
• The Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE) — certifying our medical and EMT training programs.
• The Idaho State Board of Education officially recognizes NCOAE as a Proprietary School and the Idaho Bureau of EMS and Preparedness allows our satellite camp in the Gem State to offer Hybrid EMT Training in a stunning wilderness setting.
• The North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services (NCOEMS) approves NCOAE to deliver EMT training that qualifies students to sit for state and national certification exams.

Our accreditation status also opens the door to other educational partnerships. In Oregon, we’ve teamed up with community colleges to offer our Intensive EMT courses, expanding access to high-quality training in the Pacific Northwest.

What’s Next?

While accreditation is certainly something to celebrate, it’s also just the beginning. This achievement opens new doors for our students and also enables us to expand our academic offerings. It strengthens our ability to partner with schools and school districts that value both outdoor education and academic rigor. And it keeps us focused on what we do best — helping people grow through meaningful, wilderness-based experiences.

We’re grateful to our staff, instructors, students, and partners who helped make this happen. And we’re equally grateful for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), and Cognia for holding us to a high standard and recognizing the value of what we do.

Stay tuned for more updates, course opportunities, and exciting announcements. In the meantime, we invite you to explore how an NCOAE adventure can now be part of your educational journey — and your transcript.

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