About Accreditation
Accreditation is a voluntary activity launched by the school that demands a thorough self-assessment as well as an independent, objective evaluation of the institution’s overall educational quality by peers. Accreditation stresses quality assurance and an ongoing commitment to quality improvement.
To receive accreditation from ICHE, a school must:
Comply with stringent requirements.
Create and implement a plan for institutional effectiveness.
Review its financial soundness, retention, and placement rates annually; and
Conduct both scheduled and unscheduled site inspections.
Intitial accreditation may be given for a period ranging from two to six years provided it is determined that the applicant meets the stipulated criteria. Renewal accreditation may be granted for at least five years.
Schools may be granted the following status when going through the accreditation process:
- Applicant
- Candidate
- Probationary
- Full
AUTHORITY OF STATE TO OPERATE
State licensing bodies, higher education commissioners, and other bureaus for private postsecondary education offer operating permission to institutions. ICHE cooperates with states by only accrediting institutions that are licensed, accredited, or have special authority through exemption. ICHE also informs the states of accrediting operations impacting universities in their respective jurisdictions.
Other Resources
National umbrella association for higher education. Current information on higher education policy, legislation, and national developments.
Private, nonprofit national organization that coordinates accreditation activity in the United States.
Main news source for college and university faculty members and administrators. Subscription required; published weekly.
Serves as the source of quality data about the nation’s people and economy.
Features information on programs and services, publications and products, grants and secretary’s initiatives, plus guides for teachers and a host of links to other education sites.
Comprehensive source of news, best practices, research and commentary for those involved with the career college sector.
A free daily online publication that covers a variety of college and university issues.