HIGHER EDUCATION ACCREDITATION IN THE UNITED STATES What International Education Professionals REALLY Need to Know Presenters: Ann M. Koenig, AACRAO, USA Rolf Lofstad, NOKUT, Norway Chair: Eric Staab, Grinnell College, USA

1.1. What is “accreditation”? Process to ensure quality, accountability, improvement Voluntary Non-governmental Peer review by HE community Continuous It is not “ranking” or quality comparison.

1.2. There is no national body that oversees education or accreditation. Accreditation is NOT governmental. “The Higher Education Act” is a federal law that can affect accreditation. The States can and do make laws about education. The laws vary widely from State to State.

1.3. Accreditation is governed by standards of good practice. Standards of quality assurance are set by the HE community itself, through accrediting associations. Accreditation is a sign that minimum standards have been met and the institution is committed to continuous improvement.

2.1. Scope of Accreditation INSTITUTIONAL The institution as a whole entity PROGRAM or PROFESSIONAL Specific programs of study or curricula

2.2. Approval of accreditation bodies Two organizations review accrediting associations for “approval” 1. U.S. Department of Education – government agency 2. Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) – private, non-governmental association of HEI’s

U.S. Department of Education Implements government education policies - supervises federal programs in education Awards federal money to eligible students and institutions Supports institutions of all types – academic, technical, vocational, career, computer schools, job training, etc.

U.S. Department of Education does not “accredit” institutions directly. approval is not a sign of quality assurance. It only means that the institution is approved to participate in government education programs.

Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Membership organization for HEI’s – over 3000 members Develops quality assurance standards for accrediting bodies Approves accreditors that meet its criteria

CHEA – Criteria for approval of an accrediting association – it must be committed to: Support and advance academic quality Accountability Purposeful change and improvement Appropriate, fair decision-making Continuous re-assessment

2.3. BOGUS or FAKE Accreditation Services They do exist! “Accreditation” for a fee – no quality standards or review Some tied to “diploma mills” – fake “universities” create their own fake “accreditors” to look legitimate See “Resources” – CHEA Web site

New Book Announcement! DEGREE MILLS by Allen Ezell and John Bear, Prometheus Books, January Includes info on bogus accreditation agencies

REGIONAL ACCREDITATION Institutional accreditation Mutual recognition Regionally-accredited institutions recognize degrees and credits from other regionally-accredited institutions.

REGIONAL ACCREDITATION Private, non-governmental, non-profit Six accrediting associations organized by geographic regions of the U.S. May also accredit institutions outside of the U.S. All levels of education – elementary through postsecondary

REGIONAL ACCREDITATION The Six Regional Accreditors: Middle States New England North Central Northwest Southern Western

The Regional Accrediting Associations

3.1. Common Standards for REGIONAL ACCREDITATION The institution must have A stated, appropriate mission and purpose Stated goals based on the mission Functioning systems and resources - fiscal + organizational + academic System of continuous evaluation of progress and planning for future

3.2. Steps in the Regional Accreditation Process Step 1: Self-study report based on accreditation criteria Step 2: Review of self-study by team Step 3: Site visit by team Step 4: Review of recommendations and follow-up Step 5: Accreditor’s decision Step 6: Ongoing process (5 to 10 years)

Accreditation Organization’s Status Decision Candidate – in the application stage; working toward initial accreditation Approval or re-affirmation Probation – a chance to fix or change problem areas, within a certain time limit Denial or revocation

3.3. The Importance of Regional Accreditation The most widely-recognized type of institutional accreditation for academic postsecondary education Recognition of degree and credits Government funding of institutions and students Public confidence in the authenticity of the academic experience

3.3. The Importance of Regional Accreditation Most regionally-accredited institutions will ONLY accept degrees and credits from other regionally-accredited institutions.

4. National Accreditation Institutional For specialized or special-interest institutions – examples: Religious, denominational Distance education Career training / technology Health occupations Cosmetology

National Accreditation “National” does NOT mean “governmental” It is NOT synonymous with “regional” accreditation.

National Accreditation Regionally-accredited institutions generally will not accept degrees or credits from nationally-accredited institutions …. unless they are also regionally- accredited. Few are.

5. PROGRAM or PROFESSIONAL Accreditation “Program” “Professional” “Specialized” All refer to accreditation of specific programs of study or curricula.

PROGRAM or PROFESSIONAL Accreditation An institution that is accredited may also offer accredited programs. Example 1: Alverno College Example 2: Arizona State University

Arizona State University –

6. Roles of Accreditation within the U.S. Evaluation of an individual student’s background for: Admission to postsecondary education Admission to graduate study (master’s or doctorate level) Transfer of credit Academic eligibility (scholarships, athletic activity, research grants, internships, etc.)

Roles of Accreditation within the U.S. Eligibility for government financial assistance Individuals for student financial aid Educational institutions for government programs and funding

Roles of Accreditation within the U.S. Employment For positions that require completion of an “accredited” program For licensure or certification in certain professions

7. Role of Accreditation in Foreign Credential Evaluation Perspective from the U.S. Side There is no “official recognition” process of foreign credentials in the U.S. There is no body that makes “official recognition” or “exchange” agreements. “Recognition” is based on acceptance of the credential by the party reviewing it.

Role of Accreditation in Foreign Credential Evaluation Leadership in good practice in foreign credential evaluation comes from Professional associations (AACRAO, NAFSA) Council on the Evaluation of Foreign Educational Credentials Reputable private credential evaluation organizations Leaders in higher education institutions

Role of Accreditation in Foreign Credential Evaluation “Officially recognized” in other countries is comparable to “accredited” in the U.S.

Resources CHEA Web site – Web sites of the Regional accrediting associations Very EASY to verify an institution’s accreditation status with the regional accreditor Online directory Phone or fax

Additional Resources Bears’ Guides – Ten Speed Press Degree Mills by Allen Ezell and John Bear (expected in Jan. 2005) The “accreditation officer” at each regionally-accredited institution