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ELIGIBILITY, CANDIDACY AND ACCREDITATION
Basic Standards

Institutional Eligibility, Candidacy and Accreditation

Eligible pre-school, primary, secondary, post-secondary and university institutions located any-where in the world, and offering one or more programs leading to a certificate, diploma and/or baccalaureate or a higher degree may apply to the Commission for Candidacy or, in some circumstances, directly for initial accreditation.
The Candidacy for Accreditation status offers all institutions the opportunity to establish an initial but formal and publicly recognized relationship with the corresponding Commission. It is a status designed for both new and established institutions.
Candidacy is an affiliation with the Commission that indicates that an institution has achieved initial registry and recognition, and is progressing towards accreditation. An institution with candidacy status has a maximum period of three years to become accredited. This candidacy period enables an institution to organize its operations; establish sound and adequate policies, procedures, and management information Systems according to international standards; improve quality; and demonstrate compliance with Commission standards. Candidacy does not assure or imply accreditation. If, after being approved for eligibility under these procedures, an institution believes it can qualify directly for initial accreditation, it should consult with Commission staff. Neither candidacy nor accreditation is retroactive.
Prior to making a formal application, an institution desiring candidacy must begin by assessing itself in relation to the basic criteria for institutional eligibility, as stated below. The standards of accreditation and Commission policies should also be reviewed as they will provide a clear statement of ultimate Commission expectations of institutional performance and quality and give further definition to the eligibility criteria. The eligibility process is designed to screen institutions prior to a period of formal, and extensive, institutional self study, so that only institutions meeting the basic criteria for eligibility may proceed.
The eligibility process consists of the following Steps:
  • 1. The institution determines its readiness by review of the eligibility criteria, Commission policies and standards. If there are questions concerning the interpretation of these criteria, a meeting with Commission staff can be arranged.
  • 2. The institution submits an eligibility report res-ponding to each of the eligibility criteria and the Summary Data Form .
  • 3. The Commission staff convenes an eligibility committee which reviews the documents submitted and meets with institutional representatives before determining eligibility. The committee files a report of its action and a review of the institution in relation to each of the criteria.
  • 4. The institution proceeds to self-study if the eligibility criteria are met; if they are not met, the institution may reapply when it can demonstrate that it has responded to the areas of concern identified by the committee.
  • 5. An institution wishing to appeal an eligibility determination may do so by receiving the eligibility committee report. The requesting institution provides in writing to the Executive Director, within 30 days thereafter, a statement clearly setting forth the reasons the institution disagrees with the eligibility committee report. The institutional statement, along with the committee report, is presented to the relevant Commission for its review and final determi-nation. "The formal Commission review and appeal process (described in the Handbook of Accreditation does not apply to eligibility denials. "The requesting institution pays an eligibility appeal processing fee.

    The Commission accredits both institutions and programs. In so doing, therefore, it reviews structures, processes and resources, as well as the academic quality of those educational programs sponsored by the institution.

    Whereas an institution provides programs not commonly offered by accredited institutions of any kind in the United States, it bears the burden of demonstrating that the subject matter offered is appropriate to the corresponding level, academic in quality and rigor, and is able to be reviewed by peers from accredited institutions.

    It is the purpose of the Commission to validate to the public the ongoing credibility of an institution and/or its program. It is the responsibility of the institution to demonstrate it has the resources, organizational arrangements, academic standards and processes necessary to give assurance of continuous self-monitoring, as well as the continued stability of its purposes, its programs, its faculty and staff, and its financial and physical resources for a minimum of three years. Unless an institution clearly exhibits such characteristics, the Commission is unable to express confidence in the institution through recognition as a Candidate for Accreditation or as an accredited institution.

    The institution must have:

  • 1. A charter and/or formal authority to award degrees from the appropriate governmental agency in the country or region and operate within its authority. Such authority must be obtained in each country, state or jurisdiction in which programs are offered.

  • 2. A formally adopted statement of institutional purposes, demonstrating that the fundamental purposes of the institution are educational, appropriate to a degree granting institution, and suited to the needs of the society it seeks to serve.

  • 3. A governing board that operates as an independent policy-making body, and includes representation reflecting the public interest. If a separate institutional governing board is not possible or appropriate, the Commission may approve alternative means by which this criterion may be met.

  • 4. A chief executive officer whose full-time or major responsibility is to the institution, and sufficient administrative staff to conduct the affairs of the institution.

  • 5. One or more educational programs leading to a degree, educational objectives for each program that are clearly defined and published, as well as appropriate to the intended level, standards, and quality, and a clear statement of the means for achieving the stated educational objectives.

  • 6. In higher education, a coherent and substantial program of general education as either a prerequisite to or an essential element of the programs offered.

  • 7. Faculty sufficient in terms of number, back-ground, and experience to support the pro-grams offered, and including a core of faculty whose primary responsibility is to the institution. In addition, a clear statement of faculty responsibilities must exist.

  • 8. Evidence of adequate learning resources to support the programs offered on or off-/campus. To supplement these resources beyond the core library of the institution, there may be specific long-term written arrangements for student access to readily available resources. The institution must also be able to demonstrate that library use is a fundamental part of all curricula.

  • 9. Admissions policies and procedures consistent with the institution's stated objectives and appropriate to the degree level offered.

  • 10. Evidence of basic planning for the development of the institution. Planning should identify and integrate plans for academic, personnel, libra-ry, and financial development, as well as pro-cedures for program review and institutional improvement.

  • 11. An adequate financial base of funding commit-ments, with sufficient financial reserves, to assure future stability. A copy of the current budget and the prior two years' audited financial statements, prepared by an outside certified public accountant who has no other relationship to the institution, must be submitted.

  • 12. A published policy and procedure, in keeping with generally accepted practices, for refunding fees and charges to students who withdraw from enrollment. (For guidance, institu-tions should refer to the American Council on Education's "Policy Guidelines for the Refund of Student Charges")

  • 13. An accurate and current catalog or other compa-rable publication available to students and the public, setting forth purposes and objectives, entrance requirements and procedures, rules and regulations for conduct, programs and courses, degree completion requirements, full and part-time faculty and degrees held, costs, and other items relative to attending the institution or withdrawing from it.

    If an institution has reviewed itself in relation to these criteria, has considered the standards of accreditation and Commission policies, and belie-ves itself ready to proceed towards candidacy, it should apply for eligibility review by submitting the required eligibility application fee (attached) and four copies of a report addressing each of the eligibility criteria, a completed Summary Data Form (attached), and four sets of other appropriate supporting documents, including planning studies, current catalog/s, current budget, the prior two years' audited financial statements and management letters, charter or articles of incorporation, bylaws of the governing board, proof of state authority to grant diplomas or degrees, vitae of full-time or core faculty, and sample course syllabi.

    The institution will be notified of the composition of the eligibility committee and the date the committee will meet. "The chief executive officer will be invited to appear before the committee. In some circumstances, the committee will meet at the institution. In addition to the application fee, the institution will be responsible for all travel expenses incurred by the eligibility committee.

    Should a reapplication be necessary, there will be an additional fee.