Accreditation Role of Course and Block Directors Michael Levitzky LSU Health Sciences Center

Regional Accrediting Agencies for Educational Institutions in the United States Middle States Commission on Higher Education New England Association of Schools and Colleges Higher Learning Commission (formerly part of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools) Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (formerly part of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges) Eligibility for Federal Financial Aid

Legend: MSA (Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools) NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) NCA (North Central Association of Colleges and Schools) NAC (Northwest Accreditation Commission) SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges)Middle States Association of Colleges and SchoolsNew England Association of Schools and CollegesNorth Central Association of Colleges and SchoolsNorthwest Accreditation CommissionSouthern Association of Colleges and SchoolsWestern Association of Schools and Colleges From Wikipedia

Specialized/Professional Accreditation At LSU Health Sciences Center School of Allied Health Professions CAA Accreditation for Audiology Program CAAHEP Accreditation for Cardiovascular Technology Program NAACLS Accreditation for Medical Laboratory Science Program ACOTE Accreditation for Occupational Therapy Program ARC-PA Accreditation for Physician Assistant Studies Program CAE-PT Accreditation for Physical Therapy Program CRE Accreditation for Rehabilitation Counseling Program CoARC Accreditation for Respiratory Therapy Program CAA Accreditation for Speech-Language Pathology Program School of Dentistry (CODA Accreditation for Dental Education Programs) School of Medicine (LCME Accreditation) School of Nursing CCNE Accreditation for BSN and MN Programs CCNE Accreditation for DNP Program COA Accreditation for DNP/Nurse Anesthesia Programs School of Public Health (CEPH Accreditation)

Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools Accredits approximately 900 Private (many for-profit) schools, offering associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in “programs in professional, technical, and occupational fields.” Recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Recently under scrutiny by U.S. Department of Education for favorable decisions regarding some for-profit institutions that went bankrupt or were accused of illegal business practices.

Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges Accredits approximately 800 Private (many for-profit) schools, offering associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in “programs in occupational, trade and technical careers.” Recently under scrutiny for favorable decisions regarding some for- profit institutions that went bankrupt or were accused of illegal business practices.

Institutional Effectiveness: Continuous Quality Improvement The feedback loop Objectives Assessment Feedback: changes made

Role of Course Directors Faculty Qualifications/Justifications Course content (specialized/professional accreditation) Participation in self-studies

Faculty Credentials Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges 1866 Southern Lane Decatur, Georgia FACULTY CREDENTIALS - Guidelines -

Faculty Credentials SACSCOC Comprehensive Standard of the Principles of Accreditation reads as follows: The institution employs competent faculty members qualified to accomplish the mission and goals of the institution. When determining acceptable qualifications of its faculty, an institution gives primary consideration to the highest earned degree in the discipline. The institution also considers competence, effectiveness, and capacity, including, as appropriate, undergraduate and graduate degrees, related work experiences in the field, professional licensure and certifications, honors and awards, continuous documented excellence in teaching, or other demonstrated competencies and achievements that contribute to effective teaching and student learning outcomes. For all cases, the institution is responsible for justifying and documenting the qualifications of its faculty.

Faculty Credentials SACSCOC When an institution defines faculty qualifications using faculty credentials, institutions should use the following as credential guidelines: a. Faculty teaching general education courses at the undergraduate level: doctorate or master’s degree in the teaching discipline or master’s degree with a concentration in the teaching discipline (a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline). b. Faculty teaching associate degree courses designed for transfer to a baccalaureate degree: doctorate or master’s degree in the teaching discipline or master’s degree with a concentration in the teaching discipline (a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline). c. Faculty teaching associate degree courses not designed for transfer to the baccalaureate degree: bachelor’s degree in the teaching discipline, or associate’s degree and demonstrated competencies in the teaching discipline.

Faculty Credentials SACSCOC d. Faculty teaching baccalaureate courses: doctorate or master’s degree in the teaching discipline or master’s degree with a concentration in the teaching discipline (minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline). e. Faculty teaching graduate and post-baccalaureate course work: earned doctorate/terminal degree in the teaching discipline or a related discipline. f. Graduate teaching assistants: master’s in the teaching discipline or 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline, direct supervision by a faculty member experienced in the teaching discipline, regular in-service training, and planned and periodic evaluations. Approved: College Delegate Assembly, December 2006