Benedict College environmental health program first in South Carolina to receive accreditation

Black Issues in Higher Education, August 12, 2004

COLUMBIA, S.C.

Those students across the nation seeking to earn an undergraduate degree in the environmental health field from an accredited program can now attend Benedict College, the first institution of higher learning in South Carolina to receive national accreditation in environmental health.

Under the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC), Benedict's environmental health science program recently achieved full accreditation status after a unanimous vote by the council and accredited on its first attempt.

Benedict, like other EHAC accredited institutions, had to meet rigorous standards set by the profession. To meet accreditation standards, educational programs are measured according to specific criteria, which include standards for curriculum, faculty, program funding, enrollment and management. The criteria are reviewed and updated regularly to meet the demanding needs of the marketplace.

Benedict is the second historically Black college among the 26 higher education institutions in the country to receive accreditation in environmental health studies. Under the leadership of Milton A. Morris, director for the environmental health sciences program, the institution worked diligently for the past six years to build an exemplary program that provides students with a quality education.

"The attainment of accreditation will make Benedict College students more marketable and assist in efforts to promote standards of excellence at Benedict," Morris says, adding, "The entire Benedict College family can be proud of this historic accomplishment. From the President's Office and departments across the campus, the college pulled together to ensure that the environmental health program is second to none."

Benedict sponsored the first statewide Environmental Justice Listening Conference last summer in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency. The conference served as a grassroots effort to unite community leaders across the state.

Upholding the institution's mission of serving the community, Benedict's EHS faculty members are using their expertise to educate communities about environmental injustice. Morris, a nationally registered environmental health specialist, a diplomat with the American Academy of Sanitarians, and a certified food safety professional, said Benedict's EHS faculty is actively involved with helping communities to address environmental issues such as environmental racism.

For more information, contact Morris at (803) 253-5415 or morrism@benedict.edu.