Federation of Federation of Chiropractic Chiropractic

Licensing BoardsLicensing Boards77th Annual Congress77th Annual Congress

Orlando, FloridaOrlando, Florida

Accreditation 101 & Accreditation 101 &

Panel DiscussionPanel Discussion

Saturday May 3, 2003Saturday May 3, 2003

9:00 – 10:00 am.9:00 – 10:00 am.

““Accreditation 101”Accreditation 101”

• Introductions• Overview of objectives• Ground rules• What?• Why?• How?

What is accreditation?What is accreditation?• 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.

What is accreditation?What is accreditation?• Accrediting agency… means a

legal entity that conducts accrediting activities through voluntary, non federal peer review and makes decisions concerning the accreditation or pre-accreditation status of institutions, programs or both.

What is accreditation?What is accreditation?• Institutional accrediting

agencies… accredit institutions of higher education

What is accreditation?What is accreditation?• Institution of higher education…

means a public or private nonprofit educational institution that…

• That is legally authorized to operate where the institution is physically located

• Admits as regular students certain “qualified” individuals

• Provides an educational program toward a degree…

What is accreditation?What is accreditation?• Programmatic accreditation

agencies… accredit specific educational programs that prepare students for entry into a profession, occupation or vocation.

What is accreditation?What is accreditation?• Program… means a post secondary

education program… that leads to an academic or professional degree, certificate or other recognized academic credential.

Why is there an Why is there an accreditation process?accreditation process?

• To provide professional judgment as to the quality of an institution or program.

• Formulate and advance educational, scientific and professional principles

• Revise these principles when necessary• Formulate policies and procedures for the

accreditation process• To evaluate the institution or program

Why?Why?• To publish and revise a directory of

“accredited” institutions or programs for interested parties and the public

• To provide interested parties and the public with assurances that such accredited institutions or programs continue to comply with standards

• Conduct periodic reviews and evaluations• To assist the advancement and

improvement of the academic standards of the institutions or programs

Why?Why?• Provide regulatory boards with a national,

uniform basis for decision making regarding licensure

• Provide the public – with an assurance of a conformity to certain

general expectations that are encompassing and contemporary, and

– are designed to assure that the professional services provided to the public are knowledge based and reflective of current standards

Why?Why?• Provide students and prospective students

with assurances that an institution or program has been found to provide a satisfactory educational preparation for licensure and practice

• Provides the profession with a means for participation in setting requirements for preparation to enter the profession

Role of the United States Role of the United States Department of EducationDepartment of Education

• The role of the USDOE is to ensure that accrediting agencies are reliable authorities regarding the quality of education or training offered by institutions or programs that they accredit.

USDOE USDOE • The USDOE assesses applicants for

recognition through an encompassing review of applicable standards

• Link to federal programs• Geographic scope of accrediting activities• Accrediting experience• Acceptance of agency by others• Purpose and organization• Administrative and fiscal responsibilities

USDOEUSDOE• Accreditation and pre-accreditation

standards• Application of standards• Ensuring consistency in decision making• Monitoring and re-evaluating• Enforcement of standards• Review of standards

USDOEUSDOE

• USDOE also requires agencies to establish certain operating procedures

• Due process

USDOEUSDOE• Recognition by USDOE is attained by

• Application• Department review through

» Staff» National Advisory Committee» Secretary» Public comment» Site visits…..

How do regulatory boards use How do regulatory boards use the accreditation process?the accreditation process?

• Reliance upon agency• Expertise• Experience• Fiscal issues• Uniformity• USDOE recognition

How?How?

• Delegation of authority• Legislation via statute• Regulation via rule making• Board policies

How?How?• Examples of actual regulatory language:

– Graduate from a college of chiropractic approved by the examining board

– Graduation from a chiropractic college having status with the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Chiropractic Education

– Graduate from a college of chiropractic which is accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education

How?How?

• Examples of actual regulatory language:

– Graduate from a chiropractic college fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Chiropractic Education or its successor at the time of graduation

– Graduate from a chiropractic college accredited by, or recognized as a candidate for accreditation by, any chiropractic college accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education

Federation of Chiropractic Federation of Chiropractic Licensing BoardsLicensing Boards

Accreditation Panel