HCAT's credit programs are accredited by both the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Foundation's Accrediting Commission and the Accrediting Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).
The Hotel/Restaurant Management Associate of Applied Science degree in both the culinary arts and the baking and pastry arts areas of concentration are accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation's (ACFEF) Accrediting Commission. In addition, HCAT has been awarded Exemplary Program for both programs.
The ACF Accrediting Commission is the national accrediting commission for culinary programs. As the largest and most prestigious organization in the United States dedicated to chef professionalism in both industry and education, the ACF helps set professional standards for culinary education and assists in career development. It has a membership of more than 10,000.
Being part of an accredited program enhances employment opportunities. This accreditation assures students that the program exceeds standards set for culinary programs nationally and provides the public with validation of high standards for culinary arts. The accreditation also keeps the program current and relevant as well as attracts nationwide attention and prestige to the program.
The Hotel/Restaurant Management (HRM) Hospitality Management degree program was awarded a full seven-year initial accreditation on July 22, 2009, by the Accrediting Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA). This significant achievement was the result of a 12-month self-study process and a two-day intense site visit by a team of commissioners. In 2022, the program was reevaluated by ACPHA and was awarded again a full seven-year accreditation. There are currently less than 20 two- and four-year post-secondary schools that have both the American Culinary Federation (ACF) accreditation and the ACPHA accreditation.
The commission, established by the Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (CHRIE), encourages the assessment and enhancement of quality hospitality management education programs at post-secondary level. It ensures a continual and effective system for accreditation of quality standards and excellence in such programs. The commission’s membership includes voting representatives from accredited hospitality programs, hospitality industry professionals, international programs and the public at large.
Accreditation is a status granted to an educational program that has been found to meet or exceed stated standards of educational quality. It provides our students and the public with validation of high standards for hospitality program.