The King’s University College in Edmonton Awarded First Environmental Studies Program Accreditation in Canada

(Edmonton, November 28, 2011) The King’s University College Environmental Studies (ENVS) program has been granted professional accreditation from Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada, the certifying body of the Canadian Environmental Accreditation Commission (CEAC).  This Professional accreditation is in addition to the academic accreditation already granted by the Campus Alberta Quality Council. King’s University College is the only post-secondary institution in Canada to receive such professional recognition for an environmental studies program that includes BA and BSc degrees.   

The Eco Commission’s granting of accreditation to King’s encourages all future and past graduates of the ENVS program to apply for the designation “Environmental Professional” and put the letters  “EP” behind their names, along with their degrees.

We are delighted at this recognition of the quality of our environmental program,” says President Harry Fernhout.  Doubly so as it came only after an accreditation team from across the country visited us for two days, reviewed all our material, and interviewed numerous faculty and students.  They were impressed with what they saw and heard, and confident our program truly measured up to their rigorous professional standards.

Dr. Michael Ferber Director of Environmental Studies for the university says:

For our graduates, accreditation of King’s ENVS program will mean increased employment opportunities—employers will know the program meets national standards. The site evaluation team had no knowledge about King’s before their arrival, and were quite taken by the quality of our programs, professors and students overall.  This is just another example of what a hidden gem we are, and the high quality of what we do here.

The King’s evaluation team concluded all the criteria have been met and there were no specific recommendations for changes to the programs or their implementation. King’s ENVS program is now listed on the ECO Canada website as having national accreditation.

About King’s University College

The King’s University College in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada offers fully accredited Bachelor degrees in the arts, humanities, music, social sciences, natural sciences and commerce/management, as well as an education after degree. King’s currently serves almost 700students from across Canada and abroad, representing more than 16 nations. Faculty are highly qualified, committed to academic excellence and communicating a Christian perspective in their teaching. Students are challenged both inside and outside the classroom to apply what they learn to their life and their future career.

ENVS – ECO CANADA ACCREDITATIONBACKGROUNDER

• The professional accreditation process is a rigorous process. The applying institution prepares a comprehensive and detailed Self Study Report, which was made available to the Site Visit Evaluation Team (SVET) in advance.
• The four-¬member SVET visited King’s for two days this past September. The team interviewed everyone involved with the delivery of the program. They also meet with current students, alumni of the program and employers.
• The team prepared a 36-¬page report evaluating the program on the basis of an extensive set of criteria.
• As the accreditation team concluded in its report:  “It is clear that King’s students have a remarkable education experience as a result of very close interaction with the faculty. This is an institution where faculty members even know all of their first year students by name.” (The Globe university report recently gave King’s an A+ for exactly the same kind of attributes – for the fifth year in a row.)

Highlights from the Site Visit Evaluation Team’s Report:

King’s University College (King’s) is to be commended for having a dedicated and passionate faculty and staff who take the time and effort to get to know and engage their students, and tailor their needs in their program planning.

• Administration, faculty and staff are commended for their commitment to STARS (Sustainability Tracking Assessment & Rating System) to encourage sustainable practices at King’s University College (King’s) and to exercise leadership in greenhouse gas emissions and environmental stewardship as part of its strategic direction to care for creation.
• The accreditation team recognized that student remedial support was a particular strength of the program and commends the faculty and staff in providing exceptional support and guidance to their students.
• The SVET commends the program and institution for the dedicated and passionate faculty and staff who take the time and effort to get to know and engage their students, and tailor their needs in their program planning.

For more information contact:

Dan VanKeeken
Institutional Advancement
King’s University College
(780) 465-3500 Ext. 8087
dan.vankeeken@kingsu.ca

Dr. Michael Ferber
Director of Environmental Studies
780-465-3500
Michael.ferber@kingsu.ca