Accreditation Process
Educational institutions openly choose to go through the accreditation process in the US. Enough people have voluntary submitted to the process that it has become an industry standard. Around the world, accreditation is undertaken by governmental agencies and is usually required.Accreditation is the result of a qualification process to ensure the high quality of education. Accreditation requires that this institution upholds high standards and is regularly reviewed by the accrediting body.
Around the world, the process of accreditation has 3 components:
- Institutional Self-Evaluation
- External Evaluation/Inspection
- Recommendations
Institutional Self-Evaluation
Vital to the success of accreditation is the initiative taken by individual institutions to ensure mission-driven education with integrity and quality control at all levels. Evaluations of students, teachers, faculty, and the community, which gives an initial indication of the institution’s standing.Elsewhere in the world, this evaluation is done by a 3rd Party with similar results:
- Determining if institution meets accreditation criteria.
- Examining if stated mission and the goals of the institution are in line with governmental expectations.
- Measuring student outcomes and program effectiveness
- Recommend improvements
External Evaluation/Inspection
Once an institution conducts a self-evaluation, the third party usually visits the institution and assesses the pluses and minuses of the education. This is ascertained by evaluating school data and interviewing members of the institution community to assure that the institution meets the ordained requirements. This team will present its findings in a report.Recommendations
After the preceding steps are taken, final recommendation are given to the accrediting body. With all this information taken into account, the accrediting body recommends whether or not to grant accreditation.How does this benefit the Schools?
Accreditation gives focus to the educational programs enabling students to have continuity in their education.
These schools and institutions may then:
- Receive federal financial aid support for students
- Maintain and improve community of employer opinion of the institution
- Mirror established criteria in curricula and operations
- Set up systems for constant improvement of institution’s education.
- Enable networking with other professional and trade associations.
