Pittsburgh Technical College

Pittsburgh Technical College

Former name	Pittsburgh Technical Institute
Type	Private college
Established	1946
President	Alicia Harvey-Smith
Academic staff	67 full-time and 56 part-time (Fall 2022)
Students	981 as of 2023
Location	Oakdale , Pennsylvania , United States
Website	www.ptcollege.edu

Pittsburgh Technical College (PTC) is a private college in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The college, formerly Pittsburgh Technical Institute, opened in 1946 and has since expanded with more than 30 career-focused programs in ten schools.^[1] Bachelor's and associate degrees are awarded, in addition to certificate programs.

Previously an employee-owned for-profit school, PTC became nonprofit in 2017 when it was purchased by the Center for Educational Excellence, Inc.^[2] A June 6, 2024, warning from the college's accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, indicated that the college "is in danger of imminent closure".^[3] On June 10, 2024, the College announced it would officially shut down on August 9, 2024.^[4]

Campus

There are five buildings on campus, including a six-story, main facility where students attend most of their classes. The Trades and Technology Center houses the School of Trades Technology and Energy and Electronics Technology programs.^[5] The main building features classrooms on all floors, labs, the PTC Café on the fourth level, a large gallery and meeting place on the fifth floor, professional kitchens on the sixth floor for culinary students, lounge areas, and a library.^[6]

Housing

Approximately 51% of the student population live in school-sponsored, apartment-style housing^[7] on the campus.

Accreditation

Pittsburgh Technical College is accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education.^[8] It is also authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to award Academic Associate in Science degrees and Bachelor of Science degrees.

Programs at Pittsburgh Technical College have earned and maintain the following specialized accreditations and recognitions from accrediting bodies:^{[9][needs update]}

• Surgical Technology and Medical Assisting programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
• Practical Nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
• Practical Nursing and Associate in Science Nursing programs are approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
• Associate in Science degree and Certificate program in Culinary Arts are accredited by the American Culinary Federation (ACF).

Controversy

Following months of controversy and media scrutiny over the leadership of the college's president, Alicia Harvey-Smith, several members of PTC's board of trustees resigned en masse in October 2023.^[10]

In May 2024, it was reported by WPXI that the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office had launched an active investigation into PTC spending and financial management.^[11] This comes after additional high level employees have recently resigned due to concerns of the school's current financial situation. The following month, the college's accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, warned the college because it was "in danger of imminent closure". This followed a previous demand from the accreditor that the college submit a teach out plan; the commission found the submitted plan was unacceptable.^[3]

References

External links

• Official website

40°25′29″N 80°11′19″W / 40.42470°N 80.18873°W / 40.42470; -80.18873

This page was last edited on 11 June 2024, at 15:29