Learn About PJC

Published or Revised August 01, 2024

Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.

Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate of Arts in Teaching, and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.

The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.

Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.

Vision

To be the educational provider of choice for the region.

Mission

Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.

Texas Education Code 130.003

The purpose of each public community college shall be to provide:

• Technical programs up to two years in length leading to associate degrees or certificates.
• Workforce programs leading directly to employment in semi-skilled and skilled occupations.
• Freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences.
• Continuing adult education programs for occupational or cultural upgrading.
• Compensatory education programs designed to fulfill the commitment of an admissions policy allowing the enrollment of disadvantaged students.
• A continuing program of counseling and guidance designed to assist students in achieving their individual educational goals.
• Workforce development programs designed to meet local and statewide needs.
• Adult literacy and other basic skills programs for adults.
• Such other purposes as may be prescribed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board or local governing boards in the best interest of post-secondary education in Texas.

Paris Junior College's Strategic Goals

• Diversify the revenue mix to reduce the reliance on state appropriations.
• Provide a high quality, relevant and current education for success after transfer and success in the workforce.
• Provide access to state-of-the-art technology for operational and student use.
• Provide business and industry driven workforce training throughout the service area.
• Increase retention rates and increase completion rates for certificates and associate degrees.
• Increase the awareness of service area residents, through branding, marketing, and reputation, of the resource the college is and what it offers the communities served.
• Provide facilities that insure adequate teaching space to meet the needs of the most current instructional methods and programs offered.

Accreditation

Paris Junior College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees.  Questions about the accreditation of Paris Junior College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Affiliations

In 1924, the Texas Department of Education recognized Paris Junior College as a standard two-year institution. In the same year, the Association of Texas Colleges ranked this college as one of first class.

In December 1934, Paris Junior College was admitted to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and has maintained full accreditation since that time.

The Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON), George H.W. Bush State Office Building, 1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 10-200, Austin, Texas 78701, 512.305.7400, www.bon.texas.gov.

The LVN-to-RN Associate Degree Nursing program is located in Paris, Texas, and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia, 30326, 404-975-5000. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree Nursing Program is Continuing Accreditation. The LVN-to-RN Associate Degree Nursing program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON), George H.W. Bush State Office Building, 1801 Congress Avenue, Suite
10-200, Austin, Texas, 78701, 512.305.7400; www.bon.texas.gov.

The certification examination is administered by the National Board of Surgical Technologists and Surgical Assisting, http://www.nbstsa.org/. The Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), located at 25400 U.S. Hwy 19, Suite 158, Clearwater, Florida 33763, by recommendation of the Accreditation Review Committee in Surgical Technology & Surgical Assisting (ARC-STSA), located at #6 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite #210, Littleton, Colorado 80120.

The Radiology Technology Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, Illinois 60606-3182, 312.704.5300, www.jrcert.org.

The Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org), upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (www.coaemsp.org). The Commission may be reached at: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775, 727.210.2350, www.caahep.org.

Learn more by exploring Paris Junior College using the links below.