General Information

About North Idaho College

Founded in 1933, North Idaho College (NIC) is a comprehensive community college located on the beautiful shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene. NIC offers an array of degrees and certificates in college transfer, career and technical, and general education programs. Approximately 6,600 students are enrolled in credit classes and more than 4,500 participate annually in non-credit courses offered by the NIC Workforce Training Center in Post Falls.

NIC’s main campus is located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, a lakeside city with a growing population of 52,400 residents. Metropolitan amenities are close by with Spokane, Washington, a city of approximately 222,000 just 30 minutes away.

Beyond Coeur d'Alene, NIC meets the diverse educational needs of residents in Idaho's five northern counties with the NIC Sandpoint center in Sandpoint, Idaho, online services and courses, and comprehensive outreach services. The college's regional facilities include the NIC Parker Technical Education Center in Rathdrum and the Workforce Training Center in Post Falls. NIC plays a key roll in the region's economic development by preparing students for work in the area businesses, industries, governmental agencies, healthcare, and social services. NIC programs, students, staff, and faculty are a vital part of the civic and cultural life of the region.

NIC offers Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees designed for transfer to four-year schools, and Associate of Applied Science degrees and technical certificates in its career and technical education programs.

NIC is one of four community colleges in the state of Idaho. North Idaho College works closely with its sister colleges and universities. NIC collaborates with the University of Idaho, Lewis-Clark State College, Boise State University, and Idaho State University to enhance the higher education opportunities available in North Idaho.

Accreditation

North Idaho College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the NWCCU indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.

Accreditation by the NWCCU is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.

Inquiries regarding an institution's accredited status by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
8060 165th Ave N.E., Suite 100
Redmond, WA  98052
(425) 558-4224
www.nwccu.org

Several of NIC’s programs are also accredited by program accrediting agencies. The Associate Degree in Nursing is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The Radiography Technology program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiological Technology (JRCERT). The Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP/MAERB). The Pharmacy Technology program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).  The Physical Therapist Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The Medical Lab Technology program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

History

North Idaho College was first known as Coeur d’Alene Junior College, a private school that was started in 1933 and operated for six years. The state Legislature passed the Junior College Act in January 1939, which permitted qualified areas to establish junior college districts by a vote of eligible electors. Coeur d’Alene Junior College became North Idaho Junior College in June 1939. In July 1971, the college changed its name to North Idaho College (NIC). NIC’s service area is the Idaho Panhandle, which includes Kootenai, Benewah, Bonner, Boundary and Shoshone counties.

Open-Door Admission Policy

NIC has an open-door admissions policy as a comprehensive community college committed to providing educational access for the needs of individuals with widely divergent interests and abilities. The college encourages students to explore various interest areas where they will find NIC programs that offer career pathways designed to ensure student success.

Designated courses of study have special requirements for admission. The college assesses and evaluates entering students to place them in the appropriate level courses.

Community Services

As a comprehensive community college, North Idaho College strives to provide a quality educational environment and serve area residents through involvement in the community. Both goals are vitally important to NIC and have resulted in a wide variety of educational offerings, programs, and services designed for the college community at large.

Concerts, theatrical productions, athletic competitions, convocation programs, information sessions, and other events are offered to encourage community participation and involvement. Special courses, programs, and workshops are offered to meet the varied interests of individuals and community groups.

NIC Outreach and Regional Locations

NIC has an outreach center in Sandpoint. The center offers a variety of services, including admissions and academic advising, proctored testing, credit and non-credit courses, Adult Education courses, and GED instruction and testing. Transportation to outreach centers and other off-campus college facilities is not provided by North Idaho College. To learn more about the specific services and courses offered at the regional locations, go to nic.edu/locations or call or visit:

NIC at Sandpoint
102 South Euclid Street
Sandpoint, ID  83864
(208) 263-4594

Parker Technical Education Center
7064 W Lancaster Rd
Rathdrum, ID  83858
(208) 769-3448

Workforce Training Center
525 South Clearwater Loop
Post Falls, ID  83854
(208) 769-3333

Cardinal Card

The Cardinal Card is the college's official student and employee ID card. It serves as an official form of identification, and may be used for electronic access to buildings on campus, financial aid verification, bookstore purchases, library services, community discounts, access to student programming, Outdoor Pursuit rentals, and the Student Wellness and Recreation Center. Cardinal Cash, a prepaid declining balance similar to a debit card, may be added to the Cardinal Card to allow for flexible spending options at the Cardinal Bookstore, The Market, the Caffeinated Cardinal, and for printing services across campus. For more information about the Cardinal Card, please visit nic.edu/cardinalcard.

NIC Foundation

The North Idaho College Foundation was founded in 1977 through a partnership between North Idaho College and the community to encourage private support to enhance resources for educational excellence and student success at North Idaho College. The NIC Foundation, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit charitable organization governed by a volunteer board of directors comprised of civic-minded community leaders.

Consistent with college policy, the NIC Foundation solicits, accepts and stewards resources to provide student scholarships and program support at North Idaho College. The Foundation raises funds through its annual campaign, special events, and planned giving program and in coordination with the NIC Development Department.

Through contributions and prudent stewardship, NIC Foundation provides over $1 million annually for student scholarships, which students apply for through the NIC Financial Aid Office. In addition, the Foundation has invested more than $16.5 million in NIC capital projects, including the Molstead Library, Parker Technical Education Center, and the Meyer Health and Sciences Building. Since 1994, an additional $1.5 million has been distributed through the NIC Foundation Grant Program to inspire innovative and creative instructional and support services.

To make a tax-deductible gift, request additional information, or inquire about charitable giving, go to nic.edu/foundation or call (208) 769-5978.

NIC Alumni Association

The North Idaho College Alumni Association encourages a lifelong connection to North Idaho College. Membership is free and open to anyone who has completed at least 12 academic credits or the first semester of a certificate course or apprenticeship program at NIC. You don't have to be a graduate to become a member.

Membership benefits include invitations to special events, a discount on logo merchandise at the Cardinal Bookstore, Molstead Library privileges, a discount for home athletic events, and membership eligibility at the NIC Student Wellness and Recreation Center.

The NIC Alumni Association unites thousands of alumni who have chosen to express their active support for the college. To join, visit nic.edu/alumni or call (208) 769-5978.

NIC Booster Club

The North Idaho College Booster Club is a nonprofit organization, committed to providing financial support to the intercollegiate athletics programs through fundraising and endowment activities for student-athlete grants and team programs.

Organized in the 1960s, the NIC Booster Club supports all NIC athletics teams as a lifelong learning experience that enhances the value of sportsmanship and provides a positive experience for student-athletes, students, and fans.

The Booster Club holds fundraising events throughout the year including an annual auction, Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet, 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, the Idaho State High School All-Star Basketball Game, the Cardinal Classic Golf Tournament, and the Rolly Williams Golf Tournament.

For more information or to become a member, contact the NIC Athletics Office at (208) 769-3348. Booster Club luncheons are held once a month throughout the school year.

NIC Publications

Official North Idaho College publications, such as catalogs, brochures, course and fee schedules, etc., are not to be considered binding contracts between NIC and its students. NIC and its divisions reserve the right to:

1. withdraw or cancel classes, courses, and programs;
2. change fee schedules;
3. change the academic calendar;
4. change admission and registration requirements governing instruction in, and graduation from, the college and its various divisions; and,
5. change any other regulations affecting students.

Changes shall be enacted for both prospective and presently enrolled students whenever deemed appropriate. Advance notice of changes will be provided when possible.

Equal Opportunity Employment

North Idaho College is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). Employment selection and other aspects of employment are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation (including gender identity), veteran status, or any other protected class.

In accordance with provisions of Idaho Code § 65-503, or its successor, North Idaho College is a veteran preference employer.