MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. — The HVACR technology program at Palm Beach State College, in Lake Worth, Florida, has been accredited by HVAC Excellence.

In 1933, with unemployment at more than 25%, Franklin Roosevelt was inaugurated as the 32nd president, Albert Einstein immigrated to the U.S., and Florida opened its first community college, Palm Beach State College.

The faculty and staff of the Palm Beach State College program recently sought to assure employer partners that their program was staying current with rapid changes in the HVACR industry, according to a press release from HVAC Excellence. To show that their program met nationally established standards, they applied for third-party accreditation.

Accreditation requires an independent, third-party review, and ensures that an educational institution's HVACR program meets and exceeds established standards of excellence. These standards guarantee that students receive the highest quality training necessary for success in the industry, the HVAC Excellence press release said.

Accreditation standards cover the program comprehensively, including its mission, administration, finances, student services, instructional design, program elements, facilities, equipment, cooperative training, and instructor qualifications. Rigorous examination of these standards assesses a program's compliance with criteria for quality and effectiveness.

For further details on standards, the accreditation process, and a comprehensive list of accredited programs, visit escogroup.org and click on the accreditation link. For more information on Palm Beach State College and its HVACR program, visit palmbeachstate.edu.