How does accreditation work?
Accrediting bodies are comprised of committees with professional, experienced members who conduct a peer review process that determines whether educational institutions meet standards of educational effectiveness. While every accrediting agency has its own procedure, there are common steps: self-evaluation, on-site evaluation, publication, monitoring, and re-evaluation. Many agencies will also expect the institution to send a representative to a workshop or seminar, usually before or after they have first submitted an application for accreditation. Institutions seeking accreditation must also demonstrate the following:
- Disclosure of its corporate organization, including names of directors, administrators, officers, and trustees
- A clear mission to which its admissions, recruitment and credit transfer regulations adhere, as well as evidence of integrity in ethical practices, responsibilities, and competence
- Evidence of the professional experience and credentials of directors and administrators
- Evidence of professional degrees and credentials of faculty members and staff
- Evidence of financial stability
- Catalogue with information about program curricula, prerequisites, and credits
- Continuous evaluation of goals, guidelines, and procedures for faculty, curricula, and individual courses
- Adequate library resources and services
- Legitimate and readily available grants, scholarships, and loans that are financed by the institution
