| 1. | Overview of Accreditation | ||||||||||||
| 2. | Accreditation in the U.S. | ||||||||||||
| 3. | National Recognition of Accrediting Agencies by the U.S. Secretary of Education | ||||||||||||
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| 4. | Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies | ||||||||||||
| 5. | Regional and National Institutional Accrediting Agencies | ||||||||||||
| 6. | Specialized Accrediting Agencies | ||||||||||||
| 7. | Accrediting Agencies Recognized for their Preaccreditation Categories | ||||||||||||
| 8. | Accrediting Agencies Recognized for Title IV Purposes | ||||||||||||
| 9. | Accrediting Agencies Recognized for Distance Education | ||||||||||||
| 10. | Part 602 – Secretary’s Recognition of Accrediting Agencies | ||||||||||||
| 11. | National Recognition of State Approval Agencies by the U.S. Secretary of Education | ||||||||||||
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The goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality. Accreditation in the United States involves non-governmental entities as well as governmental agencies. Accrediting agencies, which are private educational associations of regional or national scope, develop evaluation criteria and conduct peer evaluations to assess whether or not those criteria are met. Institutions and/or programs that request an agency’s evaluation and that meet an agency’s criteria are then “accredited” by that agency. The U.S. Department of Education does not accredit educational institutions and/or programs. However, the Secretary of Education is required by law to publish a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies that the Secretary determines to be reliable authorities as to the quality of education or training provided by the institutions of higher education and the higher education programs they accredit. An agency seeking national recognition by the Secretary must meet the Secretary’s procedures and criteria for the recognition of accrediting agencies, as published in the Federal Register. Some of the criteria for recognition, such as the criterion requiring a link to Federal programs, have no bearing on the quality of an accrediting agency; however, they do have the effect of making some agencies ineligible for recognition for reasons other than quality. The recognition process involves not only filing an application with the U. S. Department of Education but also review by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, which makes a recommendation to the Secretary regarding recognition. The Secretary, after considering the Committee’s recommendation, makes the final determination regarding recognition. The U.S. Secretary of Education also recognizes State agencies for the approval of public postsecondary vocational education and State agencies for the approval of nurse education. These agencies must meet the Secretary’s criteria and procedures for such recognition and must undergo review by the National Advisory Committee. The U. S. Department of Education does not accredit institutions in foreign countries. However, the Secretary of Education does appoint members to the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation. The law gives that Committee the responsibility for reviewing the standards that foreign countries use to accredit medical schools to determine whether those standards are comparable to the standards used to accredit medical schools in the United States. The comparability decisions made by the Committee affect whether U.S. students attending foreign medical schools can receive loans under the Federal Family Education Loan Program. The United States has no Federal Ministry of Education or other centralized authority exercising single national control over postsecondary educational institutions in this country. The States assume varying degrees of control over education, but, in general, institutions of higher education are permitted to operate with considerable independence and autonomy. As a consequence, American educational institutions can vary widely in the character and quality of their programs. In order to ensure a basic level of quality, the practice of accreditation arose in the United States as a means of conducting non-governmental, peer evaluation of educational institutions and programs. Private educational associations of regional or national scope have adopted criteria reflecting the qualities of a sound educational program and have developed procedures for evaluating institutions or programs to determine whether or not they are operating at basic levels of quality. Some Functions of Accreditation
The Accrediting Procedure
Types of Accreditation There are two basic types of educational accreditation, one identified as “institutional” and one referred to as “specialized” or “programmatic.” Institutional accreditation normally applies to an entire institution, indicating that each of an institution’s parts is contributing to the achievement of the institution’s objectives, although not necessarily all at the same level of quality. The various commissions of the regional accrediting associations, for example, perform institutional accreditation, as do many national accrediting agencies. Specialized or programmatic accreditation normally applies to programs, departments, or schools that are parts of an institution. The accredited unit may be as large as a college or school within a university or as small as a curriculum within a discipline. Most of the specialized or programmatic accrediting agencies review units within an institution of higher education that is accredited by one of the regional accrediting commissions. However, certain accrediting agencies also accredit professional schools and other specialized or vocational institutions of higher education that are free-standing in their operations. Thus, a “specialized ” or “programmatic ” accrediting agency may also function in the capacity of an “institutional ” accrediting agency. In addition, a number of specialized accrediting agencies accredit educational programs within non-educational settings, such as hospitals. Note: The U.S. Department of Education does not have the authority to accredit private or public elementary or secondary schools, and the Department does not recognize accrediting bodies for the accreditation of private or public elementary and secondary schools. However, the U.S. Department of Education does recognize accrediting bodies for the accreditation of institutions of higher (postsecondary) education. If an accrediting body which is recognized by the Department for higher education also accredits elementary and secondary schools, the Department’s recognition applies only to the agency’s accreditation of postsecondary institutions. Accreditation does not provide automatic acceptance by an institution of credit earned at another institution, nor does it give assurance of acceptance of graduates by employers. Acceptance of students or graduates is always the prerogative of the receiving institution or employer. For these reasons, besides ascertaining the accredited status of a school or program, students should take additional measures to determine, prior to enrollment, whether or not their educational goals will be met through attendance at a particular institution. These measures should include inquiries to institutions to which transfer might be desired or to prospective employers and, if possible, personal inspection of the institution at which enrollment is contemplated. < The U.S. Secretary of Education is required by statute to publish a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies that the Secretary determines to be reliable authorities as to the quality of education or training provided by the institutions of higher education and the higher education programs they accredit. The Secretary only evaluates accrediting agencies that apply for recognition, and certain criteria for recognition that are unrelated to the quality of accrediting activities limit the scope of the Secretary’s recognition activities. Note: The U.S. Department of Education does not have the authority to accredit private or public elementary or secondary schools, and the Department does not recognize accrediting bodies for the accreditation of private or public elementary and secondary schools. However, the U.S. Department of Education does recognize accrediting bodies for the accreditation of institutions of higher (postsecondary) education. If an accrediting body which is recognized by the Department for higher education also accredits elementary and secondary schools, the Department’s recognition applies only to the agency’s accreditation of postsecondary institutions. Most institutions attain eligibility for Federal funds by holding accredited or preaccredited status with one of the accrediting agencies recognized by the Secretary, in addition to fulfilling other eligibility requirements. For example, accreditation by a nationally recognized institutional accrediting agency enables the institutions it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in the Federal student financial assistance programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. The commissions of the institutional (regional and national) accrediting agencies that are recognized by the Secretary have no legal control over educational institutions or programs. They promulgate standards of quality or criteria of institutional excellence and approve or renew membership of those institutions that apply for meet their accreditation and standards or criteria. The Accrediting Agency Evaluation Unit The Accrediting Agency Evaluation Unit has been established within the Department of Education to deal with accreditation matters. Located in the Office of Postsecondary Education, the Unit carries out the following major functions with respect to accreditation:
The Recognition Process for Accrediting Agencies The recognition procedures for accrediting agencies are set forth in subpart B of part 602. Other information related to an agency’s application for recognition is provided below. The Application for Recognition Accrediting agencies desiring to be recognized by the Secretary of Education must apply for recognition and must demonstrate their compliance with the Criteria for Secretarial Recognition (34 CFR Part 602). An agency’s application for recognition generally consists of a statement of the agency’s requested scope of recognition, evidence of the agency’s compliance with the criteria for recognition set forth in part 602, and supporting documentation. There is no standard application form to be used by agencies applying for recognition. Rather, an agency’s application for initial recognition or renewal of recognition consists of a narrative statement, organized on a criterion-by-criterion basis, showing how the agency complies with the Criteria for Secretarial Recognition. For many recognition requirements, the narrative statement need consist only of a brief narrative demonstrating how that the agency complies with a particular requirement. This statement must, however, be accompanied by clearly referenced supporting documentation demonstrating that the agency meets the requirement. For example, Section 602.15(a)(6) of the regulations requires an agency to have clear and effective controls against conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest by the agency’s board members, commissioners, evaluation team members, consultants, administrative staff, and other agency representatives. The agency’s narrative statement addressing this issue might simply be a statement that the agency’s policies against conflicts of interest may be found in a particular policy document. The agency would have to submit a copy of that document and identify the pages on which the relevant policies were located. The agency might also choose to include a copy of the minutes of a meeting at which an agency representative abstained from voting because of a conflict of interest to demonstrate that it adheres to its written policies. For other recognition requirements, because of their nature, the brief narrative statement, with supporting documentation, is insufficient to demonstrate compliance. In these cases, the agency’s narrative statement should provide sufficient information to demonstrate that the agency’s policies, standards, procedures, and practices comply with the requirement. For example, Section 602.21 of the regulations requires that an agency maintain a program of review designed to ensure that its criteria and standards are valid and reliable indicators of the quality of the education or training provided and are relevant to the education or training needs of affected students. As this requirement is fundamental to sound accreditation practices, the agency’s narrative statement would have to describe in depth the processes the agency uses to review and update its criteria and standards, the tests it uses to determine their adequacy and relevance in evaluating educational quality, as well as the results of those tests, and how it determines they are relevant to the needs of affected students. The agency would also have to provide relevant supporting documentation, such as policy statements pertaining to its review program for validating and updating its standards, surveys and the results of those surveys, the constituencies involved in the review process, etc. The agency’s statement and documentation would need to establish that the program of review is comprehensive; occurs at regular, yet reasonable, intervals or on an ongoing basis; examines each of the agency’s standards and the standards as a whole; and involves all of the agency’s relevant constituencies in the review, affording them a meaningful opportunity to provide input. The agency would also need to establish that it has the requisite procedures in place for timely changing its standards in response to the results of the review. If an agency’s application for recognition does not make specific reference to the following documents and does not include them as supporting documentation for one or more of the recognition requirements, the agency must include them as additional supporting documentation: The agency’s accreditation standards and procedures The agency’s policies and procedures The agency’s most recent externally audited financial statement Published lists of accredited schools or programs Self-study guidelines Guidance aid training materials for visiting team members Sample completed self-study reports Sample site visit reports Sample institution responses to site visit reports Sample minutes of decision meetings A list of all complaints received by the agency against an accredited program during the six-month period immediately preceding the agency’s submission of its application for recognition, together with a summary of the issues involved in each complaint, the agency’s disposition of that complaint, and the current status of the complaint, if it is not resolved by the time the agency submits its application The agency’s constitution and by-laws. Note: it would be helpful if the samples provided by an agency for items 7-10 above referred to the same institution(s) or program(s). Copies of the Application An agency’s application for recognition plus three copies should be submitted to the Accrediting Agency Evaluation unit (AAE) at the address below. Only the original of bulkier exhibit items, such as self-study reports or team reports, need to be submitted with the petition; there is no need for three copies of these items. Accrediting Agency Evaluation Time Frame for Submission of an Application Application for Initial Recognition AAE accepts applications for initial recognition at any time. To receive consideration at a particular meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, an agency seeking initial recognition must submit its application at least six months in advance of that meeting. Consideration of the agency’s application at the first Advisory Committee meeting that occurs after the six-month time frame is not guaranteed, however, as Department staff may need more time to complete its independent evaluation of the agency and to observe at least some of the agency’s site visits and decision meetings, as required by Section 602.31(b)of the regulations. An agency considering applying for initial recognition is encouraged to contact AAE as early as possible to discuss its possible application and to afford Department staff the opportunity to observe its site visits and decision meetings. Because observation of an agency’s site visits and decision meetings by Department staff is a critical component of the review of the agency’s application, it is imperative that an agency seeking initial recognition submit a list of scheduled site visits and decision meetings with its application for recognition. If an agency does not provide Department staff with an opportunity to observe an adequate number of site visits and decision meetings (typically 2-3 of each) before the Advisory Committee meeting at which the agency requests consideration of its application, Department staff may recommend that the agency’s application be denied. Agencies seeking initial recognition are reminded that recognition by the Secretary is not a prerequisite for an agency to function as an accrediting body, i.e., an agency does not have to obtain recognition before it begins to accredit institutions or programs. Rather, recognition is granted by the Secretary to an agency that meets certain Federal eligibility requirements and can demonstrate compliance with all of the criteria for recognition, establishing through its accrediting actions and decisions that it is a reliable authority regarding the quality of education offered by the institutions or programs it accredits. In general, a new accrediting agency will need to have had at least two years’ experience functioning as an accrediting agency – establishing standards, evaluating institutions or programs for compliance with those standards, and making accrediting decisions based on those standards – before it submits its application for recognition. In addition, a new agency will need to be mindful of the recognition criterion requiring it to establish that it has gained wide acceptance of its standards, methods of evaluation, and accreditation decisions, as required by Section 602.13 of the regulations. Department staff will also consider whether the new agency has been organized under conditions that reasonably ensure its stability and permanence. Application for Continued Recognition Agencies that have been granted recognition by the Secretary are notified by the Secretary, each time recognition is granted or renewed, of the expiration date of their recognition period. They should plan to submit their application for renewal of recognition approximately six months in advance of the spring or fall meeting of the Advisory Committee that precedes the expiration date. AAE usually notifies agencies a year in advance of the Advisory Committee meeting at which their renewal application is to be considered and informs them of the date by which their application is due to AAE. In the same notice, AAE also requests a schedule of the agencies’ site visits and decision meetings for the upcoming year in order to plan its observation of at least some of those activities, as required by Section 602.31(b) of the regulations. Hearing Before the Advisory Committee When Department staff completes its evaluation of an agency’s application for recognition, the agency’s application is placed on the meeting agenda of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. In preparation for the meeting, the Advisory Committee is provided with the accrediting agency’s application and supporting documentation, the Department staff analysis of the application, all information relied upon by Department staff in developing the analysis, any response by the agency to the analysis or third-party comment, any Department concurrence with or rebuttal to the agency’s response, and any third-party information the Secretary receives regarding the agency. The Advisory Committee meets at least twice a year to review applications for recognition submitted by accrediting agencies. The usual times for the Committee meetings are spring (May-June) and fall (November-December). Although each member of the Advisory Committee receives every Department staff analysis of an application for recognition and all the other materials mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the Executive Director of the Advisory Committee usually assigns two or more Committee members to serve as principal readers for each application. An agency that applies for recognition is invited to make an oral presentation before the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee also hears oral presentations from Department staff and from third parties who request to be heard. The Advisory Committee conducts its business in public, and a transcript of the proceedings is made. After each meeting, the Advisory Committee’s recommendations concerning recognition are forwarded to the Secretary, who makes the final determination regarding recognition. An appeal process is available to any agency that disagrees with the Advisory Committee’s recommendation on the agency’s application. Expansion of Scope An application for expansion of an agency’s scope of recognition may be included as an integral part of an application for renewal of recognition or it may be submitted separately. If expansion of scope is sought prior to the agency’s next regularly scheduled review, agency personnel should consult with AAE staff concerning the application format. Database of Accredited Programs and Institutions The Department of Education is making available a searchable database of postsecondary institutions and programs accredited by accrediting agencies or state approval agencies recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. This database includes approximately 6,900 postsecondary educational institutions and programs. The U.S. Secretary of Education recognizes those agencies determined to be reliable authorities as to the quality of education or training provided by the institutions of higher education and the higher education programs they accredit. Accreditation of an institution or program by a recognized accrediting agency provides a reasonable assurance of quality and acceptance by employers of diplomas and degrees. The Department believes that the list will be a helpful tool for employers evaluating education credentials and for consumers making decisions about postsecondary institutions to attend. Consumers are encouraged to do additional research on institutions before making a selection of a school, checking, for example, on the transferability of credits between institutions, the availability of financial aid, etc. The database does not include a number of postsecondary educational institutions and programs that elect not to seek accreditation but nevertheless may provide a quality postsecondary education. The U.S. Department of Education recommends that the database be used as one source of qualitative information and that additional sources of qualitative information be consulted. Changes in the Secretarial Recognition Petition Process UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONOffice of Postsecondary Education January 18, 2007 Dear Colleague: In keeping with Goal Five of the President’s Management Agenda — expanded e-government — the Accreditation and State Liaison (ASL) staff undertook to leverage information technology to more efficiently perform our business functions and to improve service for our customers and partners. With the help of a consulting team, ASL applied business process mapping and analysis to the existing Secretarial recognition process. This analysis resulted in recommendations for the sweeping transformation of the process from a paper-driven process to an electronic submission and review process utilizing the Internet. The e-petition submission process was implemented in early 2005. Accrediting agencies submitting petitions and reports for review by the Secretary’s National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) are to submit them into the U. S. Department of Education’s On-Line Secretarial Recognition Submission System. This electronic Internet-based system can be accessed athttp://opeweb.ed.gov/aslweb/. The Web site greatly reduces the effort required to submit and process documents. Some of the features are:
Accrediting agencies seeking initial recognition by the Secretary should review the information regarding its initial review at http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/ Carol Griffiths, Chief NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ACCREDITING AGENCIES The regional and national accrediting agencies linked to below are recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as reliable authorities concerning the quality of education or training offered by the institutions of higher education or higher education programs they accredit. The dates specified for each entry are the date of initial listing as a nationally recognized agency, the date of the Secretary’s most recent grant of renewed recognition, and the date of the agency’s next scheduled review for renewal of recognition by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. Unless otherwise noted in a Title IV note after the agency’s name, accreditation by an agency included on the lists linked to below may be used by an institution accredited by the agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs. (Note: S = Spring meeting and F = Fall meeting) REGIONAL AND NATIONAL INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITING AGENCIES The dates specified for each entry are the date of initial listing as a recognized agency, the date of the Secretary’s most recent grant of renewed recognition, and the date of the agency’s next scheduled review for renewal of recognition by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. (Note: S = Spring meeting and F =Fall meeting.) Note: The U.S. Department of Education does not have the authority to accredit private or public elementary or secondary schools, and the Department does not recognize accrediting bodies for the accreditation of private or public elementary and secondary schools. However, the U.S. Department of Education does recognize accrediting bodies for the accreditation of institutions of higher (postsecondary) education. If an accrediting body which is recognized by the Department for higher education also accredits elementary and secondary schools, the Department’s recognition applies only to the agency’s accreditation of postsecondary institutions. Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools Carol Moneymaker, Executive Director Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology Michale McComis, Executive Director Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training Roger J. Williams, Executive Director Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools Albert C. Gray Council on Occupational Education Gary Puckett, Executive Director Distance Education and Training Council, Accrediting Commission Michael P. Lambert, Executive Director Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education Elizabeth H. Sibolski, Acting President Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools Henry Cram, Executive Director New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education Barbara E. Brittingham, Director New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Technical and Career Institutions Paul Bento, Director New York State Board of Regents, and the Commissioner of Education Carole Huxley, Interim Commissioner of Education North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission Sylvia Manning, President North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, Board of Trustees Mark Elgart, Executive Director Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities Sandra E. Elman, President Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges Belle S. Wheelan, President Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission Russell Guy Fitzgerald, Jr., Executive Director Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Barbara A. Beno, President Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Schools David E. Brown, Executive Director Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities Ralph Wolff SPECIALIZED ACCREDITING AGENCIES The dates specified for each entry are the date of initial listing as a recognized agency, the date of the Secretary’s most recent grant of renewed recognition, and the date of the agency’s next scheduled review for renewal of recognition by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. (Note: S = Spring meeting and F = Fall meeting) ARTS AND HUMANITIES |EDUCATION TRAINING |LEGAL |COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES |PERSONAL CARE AND SERVICES| HEALTHCARE| American Academy for Liberal Education Jeff A. Martineau, President National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation Samuel Hope, Executive Director National Association of Schools of Dance, Commission on Accreditation Samuel Hope, Executive Director National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation, Samuel Hope, Executive Director National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation Samuel Hope, Executive Director Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education, Commission on Accreditation Gretchen Warner, Executive Director National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education James G. Cibulka, President Teacher Education Accreditation Council, Accreditation Committee Frank B. Murray, President American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar Hulett H. Askew American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education Victoria Matthews Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation Ralph E. Enlow, Jr, Executive Director Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc., Accreditation Commission Teresa E. Snorton, Executive Director Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools, Accreditation Commission Bernard Fryshman, Executive Vice-President Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools Daniel O. Aleshire, Executive Director Commission on English Language Program Accreditation Teresa D. O’Donnell, Executive Director American Board of Funeral Service Education, Committee on Accreditation Michael Smith, Executive Director Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation Kate Ivane Henrioulle National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences Anthony Mirando Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Dort S. Bigg, Executive Director Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education Peter H. Vlasses, Executive Director Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools Carol Moneymaker, Executive Director American College of Nurse-Midwives, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education Mary C. Brucker American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation Anthony Ziebert, Director American Dietetic Association, Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education Ulric K. Chung, Executive Director American Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education Neil Harvison American Optometric Association, Accreditation Council on Optometric Education Joyce L. Urbeck, Administrative Director American Osteopathic Association, Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation Konrad C. Miskowicz-Retz, Director American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education Mary Jane Harris, Director American Podiatric Medical Association, Council on Podiatric Medical Education Alan R. Tinkleman, Director American Psychological Association, Committee on Accreditation Susan Zlotlow, Director American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Patrima L. Tice American Veterinary Medical Association, Council on Education David E. Granstrom, Commission on Acceditation of Healthcare Management Education John S. Lloyd, President and CEO Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Jennifer L. Butlin, Director Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs Francis Gerbasi The Council on Chiropractic Education Lee Van Dusen, Executive Director Council on Education for Public Health Laura Rasar King, Executive Director Council on Naturopathic Medical Education Daniel Seitz Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology Jan M Winn, Executive Director Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology Leslie F. Winter, Chief Executive Director Liaison Committee on Medical Education The LCME is administered in odd-numbered years, beginning each July 1, by: Barbara Barzanski, Interim Secretary The LCME is administered in even-numbered years, beginning each July 1, by: Midwifery Education Accreditation Council Jo Anne Myers-Ciecko, Executive Director National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission Sharon J. Tanner, Executive Director ACCREDITING AGENCIES RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR PREACCREDITATION CATEGORIES Under the terms of the Higher Education Act and other Federal legislation providing funding assistance to postsecondary education, an institution or program is eligible to apply for participation in certain Federal programs if, in addition to meeting other statutory requirements, it is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or if it is an institution or program with respect to which the U.S. Secretary of Education has determined that there is satisfactory assurance the institution or program will meet the accreditation standards of such an agency or association within a reasonable time. An institution of program may establish satisfactory assurance of accreditation by acquiring preaccreditation status with a nationally recognized agency that has been recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education for the award of such status. According to the Criteria for Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies, if an accrediting agency has developed a preaccreditation status, it must demonstrate that it applies criteria and follows procedures that are appropriately related to those used to award accreditation status. The criteria for recognition also require an agency’s standards for preaccreditation to permit an institution or program to hold preaccreditation no more than five years. The following is a list of accrediting agencies recognized for their preaccreditation categories and the categories that are recognized: Regional Institutional Accrediting Agencies MIDDLE STATES ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS– NEW ENGLAND ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES: NORTH CENTRAL ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS– NORTHWEST COMMISSION ON COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS– WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES– National Institutional and Specialized Accrediting Bodies ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR PHARMACY EDUCATION: Candidate, Precandidate AMERICAN ACADEMY FOR LIBERAL EDUCATION: Candidate for Accreditation AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY AMERICAN COLLEGE OF NURSE-MIDWIVES AMERICAN OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION– AMERICAN OSTEOPATHIC ASSOCIATION– AMERICAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION– AMERICAN PODIATRIC ASSOCIATION– AMERICAN SPEECH-LANGUAGE-HEARING ASSOCIATION– AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION– ASSOCIATION FOR BIBLICAL HIGHER EDUCATION– ASSOCIATION OF ADVANCED RABBINICAL AND TALMUDIC SCHOOLS– COMMISSION ON ACCREDITING OF THE ASSOCIATION OF THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS: Candidate for Accredited Membership COUNCIL ON EDUCATION FOR PUBLIC HEALTH: Preaccreditation COUNCIL ON NATUROPATHIC MEDICAL EDUCATION: Pre-accreditation COUNCIL ON OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION: Candidate for Accreditation MIDWIFERY EDUCATION ACCREDITATION COUNCIL: Preaccreditation TEACHER EDUCATION ACCREDITATION COUNCIL TRANSNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS: Candidate for Accreditation ACCREDITING AGENCIES RECOGNIZED FOR TITLE IV PURPOSES The following is a list of accrediting agencies whose accreditation enables the institutions they accredit to establish eligibility to participate in the Federal student financial assistance programs administered by the Department under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended. *ACCREDITATION COMMISSION FOR ACUPUNCTURE AND ORIENTAL MEDICINE (FORMERLY NACAOM) ACCREDITING BUREAU OF HEALTH EDUCATION SCHOOLS ACCREDITING COMMISSION OF CAREER SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES OF TECHNOLOGY ACCREDITING COUNCIL FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION AND TRAINING ACCREDITING COUNCIL FOR INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS *AMERICAN ACADEMY FOR LIBERAL EDUCATION AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, COUNCIL OF THE SECTION OF LEGAL EDUCATION AND ADMISSIONS TO THE BAR AMERICAN BOARD OF FUNERAL SERVICE EDUCATION, COMMITTEE ON ACCREDITATION AMERICAN COLLEGE OF NURSE-MIDWIVES, ACCREDITATION COMMISSION FOR MIDWIFERY EDUCATION AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION, COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION APPROVAL FOR DIETETICS EDUCATION *AMERICAN OSTEOPATHIC ASSOCIATION, COMMISSION ON OSTEOPATHIC COLLEGE ACCREDITATION *AMERICAN PODIATRIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, COUNCIL ON PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION *ASSOCIATION FOR BIBICAL HIGHER EDUCATION, COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION *ASSOCIATION OF ADVANCED RABBINICAL AND TALMUDIC SCHOOLS, ACCREDITATION COMMISSION *COMMISSION ON ACCREDITING OF THE ASSOCIATION OF THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS COMMISSION ON MASSAGE THERAPY ACCREDITATION THE COUNCIL ON CHIROPRACTIC EDUCATION, COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION COUNCIL ON ACCREDITATION OF NURSE ANESTHESIA EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS *COUNCIL ON OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION, COMMISSION (FORMERLY SACS-COEI) DISTANCE EDUCATION AND TRAINING COUNCIL, ACCREDITING COMMISSION JOINT REVIEW COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION IN RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY *MIDDLE STATES ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS, COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION MIDDLE STATES COMMISSION ON SECONDARY SCHOOLS MIDWIFERY EDUCATION ACCREDITATION COUNCIL MONTESSORI ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR TEACHER EDUCATION, COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION NATIONAL ACCREDITING COMMISSION OF COSMETOLOGY ARTS & SCIENCES NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS OF ART AND DESIGN, COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS OF DANCE, COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS OF MUSIC, COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS OF THEATRE, COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR NURSING ACCREDITING COMMISSION *NEW ENGLAND ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, COMMISSION ON INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION *NEW ENGLAND ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, COMMISSION ON TECHNICAL AND CAREER INSTITUTIONS NEW YORK STATE BOARD OF REGENTS, AND THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION *NORTH CENTRAL ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS, THE HIGHER LEARNING COMMISSION *NORTH CENTRAL ASSOCIATION COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION AND SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT, BOARD OF TRUSTEES *NORTHWEST COMMISSION ON COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES *SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS, COMMISSION ON COLLEGES *TRANSNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS, ACCREDITING COMMISSION *WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, ACCREDITING COMMISSION FOR COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES *WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, ACCREDITING COMMISSION FOR SCHOOLS *WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, ACCREDITING COMMISSION FOR SENIOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES * Preaccreditation status may be used as an alternative to full accreditation by any public or private non-profit institutions accredited by this agency for the purpose of establishing eligibility to participate in Title IV programs. Please note that preaccreditation is not available as an option for establishing such eligibility by a for-profit institution accredited by this agency.
ACCREDITING AGENCIES RECOGNIZED FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION The following is a list of accrediting agencies recognized for Distance Education. Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology Accrediting Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools American Board of Funeral Service Education, Committee on Accreditation American College of Nurse-Midwives, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation American Dietetic Association, Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education American Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs Council on Education for Public Health Council on Occupational Education Distance Education and Training Council, Accrediting Commission Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools Midwifery Education Accreditation Council Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education, Commission on Accreditation National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation National Association of Schools of Dance, Commission on Accreditation National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education New York Board of Regents and the Commission of Education North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities The procedures and criteria for recognizing accrediting agencies are contained in Title 34 of the \Code of Federal Regulations. The procedures and criteria that go into effect July 1, 2000 were published in the Federal Register on October 20, 1999 as follows: PART 602–THE SECRETARY’S RECOGNITION OF ACCREDITING AGENCIES Sec. Subpart B–The Criteria for Recognition Basic Eligibility Requirements 602.10 Link to Federal programs. Organizational and Administrative Requirements 602.14 Purpose and organization. Required Standards and Their Application 602.16 Accreditation and preaccreditation standards. Required Operating Policies and Procedures 602.22 Substantive change. Subpart C–The Recognition Process Application and Review by Department Staff 602.30 How does an agency apply for recognition? Review by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity Review and Decision by the Secretary 602.34 What does the Secretary consider when making a recognition decision? 602.40 How may the Secretary limit, suspend, or terminate an agency’s recognition? Appeal Rights and Procedures 602.44 How may an agency appeal the subcommittee’s recommendation? Subpart E–Department Responsibilities 602.50 What information does the Department share with a recognized agency about its accredited institutions and programs? Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b, unless otherwise noted. 602.1 Why does the Secretary recognize accrediting agencies? (a) The Secretary recognizes accrediting agencies to ensure that these agencies are, for the purposes of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), or for other Federal purposes, reliable authorities regarding the quality of education or training offered by the institutions or programs they accredit. (b) The Secretary lists an agency as a nationally recognized accrediting agency if the agency meets the criteria for recognition listed in subpart B of this part. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b) 602.2 How do I know which agencies the Secretary recognizes? (a) Periodically, the Secretary publishes a list of recognized agencies in the Federal Register, together with each agency’s scope of recognition. You may obtain a copy of the list from the Department at any time. The list is also available on the Department’s Web site. (b) If the Secretary denies continued recognition to a previously recognized agency, or if the Secretary limits, suspends, or terminates the agency’s recognition before the end of its recognition period, the Secretary publishes a notice of that action in the Federal Register. The Secretary also makes the reasons for the action available to the public, on request. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b) 602.3 What definitions apply to this part? The following definitions apply to this part: Accreditation means the status of public recognition that an accrediting agency grants to an educational institution or program that meets the agency’s standards and requirements. Accrediting agency or agency means a legal entity, or that part of a legal entity, that conducts accrediting activities through voluntary, non-Federal peer review and makes decisions concerning the accreditation or preaccreditation status of institutions, programs, or both. Act means the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. Adverse accrediting action or adverse action means the denial, withdrawal, suspension, revocation, or termination of accreditation or preaccreditation, or any comparable accrediting action an agency may take against an institution or program. Advisory Committee means the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. Branch campus means a location of an institution that meets the definition of branch campus in 34 CFR 600.2. Distance education means an educational process that is characterized by the separation, in time or place, between instructor and student. The term includes courses offered principally through the use of– (1) Television, audio, or computer transmission, such as open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, or satellite transmission; (2) Audio or computer conferencing; (3) Video cassettes or disks; or (4) Correspondence. Final accrediting action means a final determination by an accrediting agency regarding the accreditation or preaccreditation status of an institution or program. A final accrediting action is not appealable within the agency. Institution of higher education or institution means an educational institution that qualifies, or may qualify, as an eligible institution under 34 CFR part 600. Institutional accrediting agency means an agency that accredits institutions of higher education. Nationally recognized accrediting agency, nationally recognized agency, or recognized agency means an accrediting agency that the Secretary recognizes under this part. Preaccreditation means the status of public recognition that an accrediting agency grants to an institution or program for a limited period of time that signifies the agency has determined that the institution or program is progressing towards accreditation and is likely to attain accreditation before the expiration of that limited period of time. Program means a postsecondary educational program offered by an institution of higher education that leads to an academic or professional degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential. Programmatic accrediting agency means an agency that accredits specific educational programs that prepare students for entry into a profession, occupation, or vocation. Representative of the public means a person who is not– (1) An employee, member of the governing board, owner, or shareholder of, or consultant to, an institution or program that either is accredited or preaccredited by the agency or has applied for accreditation or preaccreditation; (2) A member of any trade association or membership organization related to, affiliated with, or associated with the agency; or (3) A spouse, parent, child, or sibling of an individual identified in paragraph (1) or (2) of this definition. Scope of recognition or scope means the range of accrediting activities for which the Secretary recognizes an agency. The Secretary may place a limitation on the scope of an agency’s designation of scope defines the recognition granted according to– (1) Geographic area of accrediting activities; (2) Types of degrees and certificates covered; (3) Types of institutions and programs covered; (4) Types of preaccreditation status covered, if any; and (5) Coverage of accrediting activities related to distance education, if any. Secretary means the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education or any official or employee of the Department acting for the Secretary under a delegation of authority. Senior Department official means the senior official in the U.S. Department of Education who reports directly to the Secretary regarding accrediting agency recognition. State means a State of the Union, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. The latter three are also known as the Freely Associated States. Teach-out agreement means a written agreement between institutions that provides for the equitable treatment of students if one of those institutions stops offering an educational program before all students enrolled in that program have completed the program. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b) Subpart B — The Criteria for Recognition BASIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 602.10 Link to Federal programs. The agency must demonstrate that– (a) If the agency accredits institutions of higher education, its accreditation is a required element in enabling at least one of those institutions to establish eligibility to participate in HEA programs; or (b) If the agency accredits institutions of higher education or higher education programs, or both, its accreditation is a required element in enabling at least one of those entities to establish eligibility to participate in non-HEA Federal programs. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b) 602.11 Geographic scope of accrediting activities. The agency must demonstrate that its accrediting activities cover– (a) A State, if the agency is part of a State government; (b) A region of the United States that includes at least three States that are reasonably close to one another; or (c) The United States. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b) 602.12 Accrediting experience. (a) An agency seeking initial recognition must demonstrate that it has– (1) Granted accreditation or preaccreditation– (i) To one or more institutions if it is requesting recognition as an institutional accrediting agency and to one or more programs if it is requesting recognition as a programmatic accrediting agency; (ii) That covers the range of the specific degrees, certificates, institutions, and programs for which it seeks recognition; and (iii) In the geographic area for which it seeks recognition; and (2) Conducted accrediting activities, including deciding whether to grant or deny accreditation or preaccreditation, for at least two years prior to seeking recognition. (b) A recognized agency seeking an expansion of its scope of recognition must demonstrate that it has granted accreditation or preaccreditation covering the range of the specific degrees, certificates, institutions, and programs for which it seeks the expansion of scope. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b) 602.13 Acceptance of the agency by others. The agency must demonstrate that its standards, policies, procedures, and decisions to grant or deny accreditation are widely accepted in the United States by– (a) Educators and educational institutions; and (b) Licensing bodies, practitioners, and employers in the professional or vocational fields for which the educational institutions or programs within the agency’s jurisdiction prepare their students. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b) ORGANIZATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS 602.14 Purpose and organization. (a) The Secretary recognizes only the following four categories of agencies:
(b) For purposes of this section, the term separate and independent means that– (1) The members of the agency’s decision-making body–who decide the accreditation or preaccreditation status of institutions or programs, establish the agency’s accreditation policies, or both–are not elected or selected by the board or chief executive officer of any related, associated, or affiliated trade association or membership organization; (2) At least one member of the agency’s decision-making body is a representative of the public, and at least one-seventh of that body consists of representatives of the public; (3) The agency has established and implemented guidelines for each member of the decision-making body to avoid conflicts of interest in making decisions; (4) The agency’s dues are paid separately from any dues paid to any related, associated, or affiliated trade association or membership organization; and (5) The agency develops and determines its own budget, with no review by or consultation with any other entity or organization. (c) The Secretary considers that any joint use of personnel, services, equipment, or facilities by an agency and a related, associated, or affiliated trade association or membership organization does not violate the separate and independent requirements in paragraph (b) of this section if– (1) The agency pays the fair market value for its proportionate share of the joint use; and (2) The joint use does not compromise the independence and confidentiality of the accreditation process. (d) For purposes of paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the Secretary may waive the “separate and independent” requirements in paragraph (b) of this section if the agency demonstrates that– (1) The Secretary listed the agency as a nationally recognized agency on or before October 1, 1991 and has recognized it continuously since that date; (2) The related, associated, or affiliated trade association or membership organization plays no role in making or ratifying either the accrediting or policy decisions of the agency; (3) The agency has sufficient budgetary and administrative autonomy to carry out its accrediting functions independently; and (4) The agency provides to the related, associated, or affiliated trade association or membership organization only information it makes available to the public. (e) An agency seeking a waiver of the “separate and independent” requirements under paragraph (d) of this section must apply for the waiver each time the agency seeks recognition or continued recognition. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b) 602.15 Administrative and fiscal responsibilities. The agency must have the administrative and fiscal capability to carry out its accreditation activities in light of its requested scope of recognition. The agency meets this requirement if the agency demonstrates that– (a) The agency has– (1) Adequate administrative staff and financial resources to carry out its accrediting responsibilities; (2) Competent and knowledgeable individuals, qualified by education and experience in their own right and trained by the agency on its standards, policies, and procedures, to conduct its on-site evaluations, establish its policies, and make its accrediting and preaccrediting decisions; (3) Academic and administrative personnel on its evaluation, policy, and decision-making bodies, if the agency accredits institutions; (4) Educators and practitioners on its evaluation, policy, and decision-making bodies, if the agency accredits programs or single-purpose institutions that prepare students for a specific profession; (5) Representatives of the public on all decision-making bodies; and (6) Clear and effective controls against conflicts of interest, or the appearance of conflicts of interest, by the agency’s- (i) Board members; (ii) Commissioners; (iii) Evaluation team members; (iv) Consultants; (v) Administrative staff; and (vi) Other agency representatives; and (b) The agency maintains complete and accurate records of– (1) Its last two full accreditation or preaccreditation reviews of each institution or program, including on-site evaluation team reports, the institution’s or program’s responses to on-site reports, periodic review reports, any reports of special reviews conducted by the agency between regular reviews, and a copy of the institution’s most recent self-study; and (2) All decisions regarding the accreditation and preaccreditation of any institution or program, including all correspondence that is significantly related to those decisions. (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1845-0003) (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b) REQUIRED STANDARDS AND THEIR APPLICATION 602.16 Accreditation and preaccreditation standards. (a) The agency must demonstrate that it has standards for accreditation, and preaccreditation, if offered, that are sufficiently rigorous to ensure that the agency is a reliable authority regarding the quality of the education or training provided by the institutions or programs it accredits. The agency meets this requirement if- (1) The agency’s accreditation standards effectively address the quality of the institution or program in the following areas: (i) Success with respect to student achievement in relation to the institution’s mission, including, as appropriate, consideration of course completion, State licensing examination, and job placement rates. (ii) Curricula. (iii) Faculty. (iv) Facilities, equipment, and supplies. (v) Fiscal and administrative capacity as appropriate to the specified scale of operations.
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