Accreditation
What Is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a systematic and ongoing process that provides a recognized and objective assessment of an institution's quality, competence, and adherence to established standards. It plays a vital role in ensuring and promoting excellence and accountability in various sectors, benefiting both the institutions being accredited and the constituents they serve.
Steps to Accreditation
01
Initial Inquiry tracs.org/start
03
Submit Application -demonstrate compliance with IERs
05
Self-Study
07
Accreditation Commission Appearance
02
Application Orientation - overview of IER and suggested documentation
04
Self-study Proposal
06
Evaluation Team Visit & Response
08
Candidacy!
If you want more detailed information about each step, please visit our Resource Page.
Comparison of Accreditation in the USA versus other countries
Aspect of Accreditation | USA | Other Countries |
|---|---|---|
Documentation and Evaluation | Extensive documentation, site visits, peer reviews | Varies in documentation and evaluation methods |
Purpose of Accreditation | Quality assurance, federal funding eligibility, accountability | Primarily quality assurance, standards compliance, and accountability |
Transparency and Reporting | Transparent, public availability of accreditation status | Transparency practices vary |
Accreditation Models | Voluntary, peer-review model | May be mandatory for institutions or follow a voluntary model |
Professional Licensure | Important for some professions (e.g., law, medicine) | May or may not be linked to professional licensure requirements |
Accreditation Cycles | Typically 10-year cycles, with periodic reviews | Duration and requirements vary widely |
Regulatory Oversight | U.S. Department of Education, Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) | Varies by country, can be government agencies or independent bodies |
Recognition and Transferability | Globally recognized, credits often transfer easily | Recognition and transferability can vary; may require additional evaluation |
Accreditation Impact | Credibility, eligibility for federal funding, transferability | Credibility, quality assurance, access to certain benefits and resources |
Cultural and Regional Factors | Influenced by institutional autonomy and diversity | Reflects unique cultural and educational contexts |
Compliance with Standards | Important for federal funding and accountability | Important for quality assurance and regulatory compliance |
