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HIGHER EDUCATION ACCREDITATION
IN THE UNITED STATESWhat International Education
Professionals REALLY Need to Know
Presenters: Ann M. Koenig, AACRAO, USARolf 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 thatminimum standards have been met and the institution is committed to continuous
improvement.
2.1. Scope of Accreditation
INSTITUTIONALThe institution as a whole entity
PROGRAM or PROFESSIONALSpecific 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 – http://www.chea.org
Criteria for approval of an accrediting association – it must be committed to:Support and advance academic qualityAccountabilityPurposeful change and improvementAppropriate, fair decision-makingContinuous 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 2005
www.prometheusbooks.com
Includes info on bogus accreditation agencies
REGIONAL ACCREDITATION
Institutional accreditation
Mutual recognitionRegionally-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 StatesNew EnglandNorth CentralNorthwestSouthernWestern
The Regional Accrediting Associations
3.1. Common Standards for REGIONAL ACCREDITATION
The institution must haveA stated, appropriate mission and purposeStated goals based on the missionFunctioning systems and resources -
fiscal + organizational + academicSystem 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 teamStep 3: Site visit by teamStep 4: Review of recommendations and
follow-upStep 5: Accreditor’s decisionStep 6: Ongoing process (5 to 10 years)
3.2.5. Accreditation Organization’sStatus 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 educationRecognition of degree and creditsGovernment funding of institutions and
studentsPublic 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
InstitutionalFor specialized or special-interest institutions – examples:
Religious, denominationalDistance educationCareer training / technologyHealth occupationsCosmetology
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 – www.asu.edu
6. Roles of Accreditation within the U.S.
Evaluation of an individual student’s background for:Admission to postsecondary educationAdmission to graduate study (master’s or
doctorate level)Transfer of creditAcademic eligibility (scholarships, athletic
activity, research grants, internships, etc.)
Roles of Accreditation within the U.S.
Eligibility for government financial assistance Individuals for student financial aidEducational institutions for government
programs and funding
Roles of Accreditationwithin 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. SideThere 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 CredentialsReputable private credential evaluation organizationsLeaders 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 – www.chea.org
Web sites of the Regional accrediting associations
Very EASY to verify an institution’s accreditation status with the regional accreditor
Online directoryPhone 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