1. What is the purpose of accreditation and the accreditation process?
2. Is my institution a private, postsecondary career school or college with trade,
occupational or technical educational objectives?
3. What is my school’s primary educational objective?
4. How long has my school been training students?
5. Does my school have a graduate from the longest program offered?
6. Is my school in compliance with state, local and other federal requirements?
7. Is my school financially sound?
8. What is the first step of the accreditation process?
9. Is ACCSC recognized by the United States Department of Education?
10. What types of programs are offered at ACCSC accredited institutions?
11. Is my school too small for ACCSC?
12. What are the benefits of accreditation?
13. How long does the accreditation process take? What are the key areas I should
know about?
14. What expenses can I expect my institution to incur during the accreditation process?
15. What should I know about ACCSC’s mission and organizational philosophy?
16. How do I get more information on ACCSC?
What is the purpose of accreditation and the accreditation process?
Accreditation is a private, voluntary, non-governmental, peer-review process which provides a means of assisting schools and colleges to become stronger and better institutions by setting standards of educational quality. Accreditation seeks to assess and enhance the educational quality of an institution, ensure consistency in institutional operations, promote self-evaluation and institutional improvement, and provide for public accountability. ACCSC accreditation enhances the quality of education provided and promotes institutional accountability by systematically and comprehensively evaluating institutions based upon criteria established via the Standards of Accreditation.
It is ACCSC’s belief that accreditation is a unique partnership among institutions which enhances educational quality and fosters innovation and creativity. The accreditation process is the cornerstone of ACCSC’s ability to continually ensure the high quality of education in our accredited member institutions. Through the accreditation process, ACCSC strives to ensure that our accredited institutions achieve an established level of accomplishment on behalf of their students and graduates.
ACCSC recognizes that many factors influence and reflect the quality of postsecondary education, and believes that by having valid and reliable standards, and a rigorous accreditation process, we can ensure the academic quality of the programs offered by our accredited member institutions, which is essential for parents and students, as well as for any organization, regulatory body, or other entity that is seeking to ensure academic quality for its constituents.
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Is my institution a private, postsecondary career school or college with trade, occupational or technical educational objectives?
Only private, postsecondary career schools and colleges with trade, occupational or technical educational objectives are eligible for accreditation. ACCSC may decline to consider for accreditation otherwise eligible schools if it determines that the programs offered by an applicant school fall outside of the Commission’s primary scope and competence or there is a lack of standards necessary for meaningful review. Please note that schools primarily directed toward avocational or general education objectives are ineligible for accreditation with ACCSC.
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What is my school’s primary educational objective?
In order to be eligible for ACCSC accreditation, an institution’s primary educational objective must be to prepare students for entrance or advancement in one or more occupations requiring technical or career oriented competencies and skills.
All programs offered by a school that fall within the Commission’s scope must be approved by the Commission as within the school’s scope of institutional accreditation through the application of initial accreditation process and substantive change program approval process.
Accreditation by ACCSC is institutional in nature. In order for a program to be included in the institution’s accreditation it must be within the Commission’s scope of accreditation and properly reported to and approved by the Commission.
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How long has my school been training students?
At the time of application, the school must have been appropriately licensed by the state(s) in which it operates and training students continuously for the preceding two consecutive years (except for regularly scheduled breaks and vacation periods) and must commit to operating continuously thereafter.
At the time of initial application, a school must have graduated at least one class of students from the longest program(s) offered during the two-year period preceding its application for accreditation.
Prior to a grant of initial accreditation, the school must be able to provide student achievement outcomes for its programs prepared in accordance with the Commission’s student achievement reporting requirements.
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Does my school have a graduate from the longest program offered?
If you did not answer yes to this question, you may not be eligible for accreditation from ACCSC.
At the time of initial application, a school must have graduated at least one class of students from the longest program(s) offered during the two-year period preceding its application for accreditation.
Additionally, prior to a grant of initial accreditation, the school must be able to provide student achievement outcomes for its programs prepared in accordance with the Commission’s student achievement reporting requirements.
Finally, in order to be eligible for ACCSC accreditation a school must offer at least one program that is 300 clock hours or longer in length.
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Is my school in compliance with state, local and other federal requirements?
The institution must have all necessary authorizations from the state(s) in which it operates and be in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal requirements
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Is my school financially sound?
At the time of initial application, the school must be financially sound with sufficient resources for its proper operation and discharge of its obligations to students. The school must demonstrate two years of operating history through the submission of financial statements that are prepared in accordance with the Instructions for the Preparation and Submission of Financial Statements and Related Information and that show that the school has met the financial tests for initial applicants included in those instructions.
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What is the first step of the accreditation process?
After determining that the institution is eligible for accreditation from ACCSC, the very first step is attendance at an Accreditation Workshop, where the Commission provides training and resources that will assist institutions as they strive towards a meaningful self-evaluation and on-site evaluation experience. The workshop provides the opportunity for the leadership of institutions seeking accreditation to enhance their knowledge and understanding of ACCSC’s standards and procedures, as well as to share experiences with other institutions that will be pursuing accreditation with ACCSC. The Accreditation Workshop will cover the following topics in detail: the Standards of Accreditation, the Accreditation Process, the Application for Accreditation, the Self-Evaluation Report, and On-Site Evaluation Activities.
The Accreditation Workshop provides an opportunity for participants gain a better understanding of the Commission’s standards and procedures, as well as to share experiences with other schools that will be pursuing accreditation with ACCSC.
Click here to access the ACCSC online registration system and Event Calendar.
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Is ACCSC recognized by the United States Department of Education?
Yes.
For more than 40 years, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) has been committed to establishing and advancing quality education at private, postsecondary career schools and colleges. ACCSC is dedicated to ensuring a quality education for more than 200,000 students who annually pursue career education at approximately 800 ACCSC accredited institutions across the United States.
ACCSC has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a reliable authority for the establishment of educational standards since 1967. ACCSC’s scope of recognition by the U.S. Department of Education includes the accreditation of private, postsecondary institutions that are predominantly organized to educate students for occupational, trade and technical careers. The Commission’s recognized scope includes non-degree-granting institutions, degree-granting institutions up to the master’s degree level, and institutions that offer programs via distance education. The Commission is not limited to accreditation only in the United States and has in the past granted accreditation to institutions operating outside of the U.S.
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What types of programs are offered at ACCSC-accredited institutions?
Programs within the medical field continue to have the highest number of enrollments at ACCSC-accredited institutions. Other programs that include a high number of enrollments include program offerings related to automotive repair, information technology, graphic/computer design, the construction fields, massage therapy, electronics, entertainment/media, and culinary arts. Enrollment data reported show that the majority of students continue to enroll into nondegree programs at ACCSC-accredited institutions. Additionally, approximately 38 percent of all ACCSC-accredited institutions currently offer a degree program.
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Is my school too small for ACCSC?
Absolutely not. ACCSC accredits both large and small institutions across the country, and in Puerto Rico. However, a school must, at a minimum, offer at least one program that is 300 clock hours or longer in length.
ACCSC does not compare small schools to large schools, or small schools to other small schools. The purpose of the accreditation process is to ensure that an institution is meeting its own stated education objectives and is in compliance with the Standards of Accreditation.
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What are the benefits of accreditation?
There are many benefits of accreditation in higher education. Chief among them, accreditation encourages continuous efforts to achieve a high level of educational effectiveness. Due to the assurances accreditation provides in regard to educational effectiveness and in terms of the quality of the education provided, the federal government relies upon accrediting agencies that have demonstrated reliability in education assessment to act as a “gatekeeper” for establishing eligibility for federal student tuition assistance. Other entities, governmental and private, use accreditation to make determinations about eligibility for tuition reimbursement benefits, employment and promotion eligibility, and professional certification eligibility.
ACCSC also provides leadership by stimulating and assisting institutions in keeping abreast of employment trends, technological advances, and educational innovations. ACCSC-accredited institutions teach hundreds of thousands of students every year in post-secondary career orientated fields that are designed to lead to successful employment.
ACCSC member institutions strive toward ensuring responsiveness, continued growth, competitiveness, and the ability to give career school students an edge in the labor market, and are provided with focused training that allows them to compete in a demanding and competitive economy. The programs offered by ACCSC-accredited institutions stress practical knowledge and professionalism where students frequently learn by solving real-world problems in job-like settings. Due to specialization, ACCSC institutions can offer students intensive training in their chosen fields in less time than more traditional institutions, enabling students to enter the work force more quickly.
For specific information on these institutions and the programs they offer, visit the School Directory.
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How long does the accreditation process take? What are the key areas I should know about?
Typically, it takes a school 1.5–2 years to complete initial accreditation process. The timeline is dependent on a number of variables, most importantly, that the school submits complete and accurate information to ACCSC in its Application for Initial Accreditation and Self-Evaluation Report. A high level of reliance is placed upon information, data, and statements provided to ACCSC by a school. The integrity and honesty of a school are fundamental and critical to the process, and a compromise of integrity is considered to be an extreme offense. Accredited schools agree to, and must meet or exceed, the Standards of Accreditation at the time of initial accreditation and throughout the accreditation period. ACCSC has built in a series of maximum deadlines for our schools that are seeking accreditation for the first time.
• The ACCSC Financial Review Committee will evaluate the year-end financial statements ( audited statements) submitted with the Application for Initial Accreditation-Part I, prior to the acceptance of the application. Should the financial statements indicate that the institution may not be able to achieve financial viability, the Committee will instruct staff to advise the institution that pursuit of accreditation will rely upon a demonstration of financial viability in accordance with accrediting standards. The non-refundable application processing fee associated with the submission of the Application for Initial Accreditation-Part I is $500.
• Initial applicants must submit their Application for Initial Accreditation-Part I within six months (maximum time frame) following the accreditation workshop. If a school does not submit an Application for Initial Accreditation–Part I within the allotted time, it must attend another accreditation workshop and restart the process.
• The Application for Initial Accreditation-Part I must be accepted by staff within six months of submission. ACCSC staff will look to review all applications within 60 days, however, the application will be deferred at the staff level should a school fail to demonstrate compliance in the areas identified in the Application for Initial Accreditation-Part I. The school may resubmit, incorporating the necessary revisions to demonstrate compliance, within the six-month time frame and remain on the same timeline. If a school does not resubmit an Application for Initial Accreditation-Part I within the allotted time, it must attend another accreditation workshop and restart the process.
• Following acceptance of the Application for Initial Accreditation-Part I, a school must then submit its initial Self-Evaluation Report, Application for Initial Accreditation-Part II, and all corresponding fees, within 6 months of the receipt of the acceptance letter.
• The school must have an orientation visit with an ACCSC staff member. This one-day visit provides an opportunity for the school to meet with staff on-site to review the school’s Application for Initial Accreditation-Part II and Self-Evaluation Report. Staff will identify any areas that require improvement (i.e. record keeping) before the full-team visits the institution to measure the school’s compliance with accrediting standards.
• The revised Application for Initial Accreditation-Part II and Self-Evaluation Report, along with copies of any required Occupation Specialist Materials, and the required visi must be submitted within 45 days following the school’s receipt of its Orientation Visit Report.
• A full team visit is scheduled at the institution. ACCSC will attempt to schedule the site visit 2–3 months following the submission of the revised Application for Initial Accreditation-Part II and Self-Evaluation Report.
• The school receives the Team Summary Report from ACCSC. This report summarizes the team’s observations from its visit to the school. This report is typically sent to the school within 60 days following the visit.
• The school submits its response to the Team Summary Report. The response from the school is due in the Commission office within 45 days following its receipt.
• All materials are submitted to the ACCSC Commissioners for review. The Commissioners make the determination if the school has met, at a minimum, all items identified in the Standards of Accreditation. The Commissioners meet four times per year, in February, May, August and November.
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What expenses can I expect my institution to incur during the accreditation process?
• Accreditation Workshop: $500* per person. This fee covers meals (networking reception, 1 breakfast, 1 lunch), and all materials from the workshop, including: the Accreditation Workbook, a copy of the Standards of Accreditation, Commission Consultant Brochures, Catalog Checklist Guidebook, Enrollment Agreement Checklist Guidebook, and all other promotional materials.
• Application for Initial Accreditation-Part I: $500. A non-refundable processing fee that covers expenses associated with a staff analysis and review by the ACCSC Financial Review Committee.
• Application for Initial Accreditation-Part II: $2000. A non-refundable process fee that covers expenses associated with a comprehensive staff analysis intended to measure the school’s compliance with the Standards of Accreditation.
• Orientation Visit: $1200. This fee covers the expense of a one-day on-site visit at the institution with a member of the ACCSC staff.
• Full Team Visit: $5,250. This fee covers a two-day visit with a member of the ACCSC staff, a Team Leader and Education Specialist, and one local occupational specialist. If the school offers more than one unrelated vocational program, an additional local occupation specialist may be required. There is a $250 fee for each additional occupation specialist.
Note: Once accreditation is achieved, there is a yearly sustaining fee that is based upon the school’s gross tuition. A copy of this policy can be found in the ACCSC Bylaws, which is distributed at the accreditation workshop.
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What should I know about ACCSC’s mission and organizational philosophy?
ACCSC’s mission is to serve as a reliable authority on educational quality and to promote enhanced opportunities for students by establishing, sustaining, and enforcing valid standards and practices which contribute to the development of a highly trained and competitive workforce through quality career oriented education.
ACCSC stimulates, nurtures, verifies, and recognizes ongoing educational quality and integrity in institutions offering programs of a vocational and career-oriented nature. ACCSC’s mission has two primary objectives:
- to assure students and the general public of the quality of educational training provided by ACCSC-accredited institutions and their programs; and
- to assist institutions in continuously improving themselves and the training they provide students.
ACCSC strives to establish and maintain high educational standards that promote ethical business practices and quality education among its accredited institutions and engages in thorough assessment practices designed to evaluate an institution’s compliance with those standards. ACCSC accreditation ensures that an institution and its educational programs meet established standards that will benefit students. Likewise, institutions benefit through continuous self-evaluation and self-improvement. As a management tool, accreditation allows institutions the opportunity of introspective analysis and constructive change. ACCSC accreditation is also a means of assisting private career schools and colleges to improve by requiring institutions to engage in continuous self-evaluation and institutional assessment and improvement activities.
As a way for the Commission to continually meet its mission in a committed fashion, ACCSC has established a values-based framework supported by the following foundational core values: Integrity, Accountability, Continuous Improvement, Open Communication and Teamwork. The Commission, its professional staff, and its corps of volunteers were all instrumental in developing these core values as a way to convey how we strive to go about our work. ACCSC uses the following definitions to give a deeper expression of its core values.
Integrity
Accomplishing our mission with a commitment to ethics, honesty, trust, consistency, and fairness.
Accountability
Fulfilling our responsibilities to one another, the higher education community, and the public.
Continuous Improvement
Cultivating personal and professional growth through learning, goal setting, innovation, commitment, and participation.
Open Communication
Fostering a free and timely exchange of ideas and information in a collegial environment.
Teamwork
Creating strong partnerships while recognizing individual strengths and emphasizing respect and mutual support.
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How do I get more information on ACCSC?
ACCSC has created a brochure that provides more information on the Commission and the accrediting process. Click here to download a PDF version of this brochure.
Also, potential applicants are encourage to visit www.accsc.org to learn more about the accreditation process, hot-topic issues relevant to higher education, current ACCSC publications, and a current workshop schedule. Additionally, all of ACCSC’s required forms and reports are available for download at no charge.
For more information about the accreditation process, please contact Christopher Lambert, Director of External Affairs at 703-247-4516 or via email. For more information on the accreditation workshops, please contact Kerry Lambert, Conference and Events Manager at 703-247-4527 or via email. ACCSC can be reached directly at our main line, 703-247-4212, or at info@accsc.org.
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