The Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training
ACCET provides institutional accreditation for organizations whose primary function is for educational purposes and also for organizations offering continuing education as a clearly identified institutional objective within the operational entity, such as in-service corporate training. ACCET accreditation can include educational institutions that offer programs at locations other than the main headquarters under specified conditions and controls. ACCET accredits noncollegiate
continuing education and training organizations throughout the United States and
accredits programs abroad.
ACCET provides institutional
accreditation for organizations whose primary function is for educational
purposes and also for organizations offering continuing education as a clearly
identified institutional objective within the operational entity, such as
in-service corporate training. ACCET
accreditation can include educational institutions that offer programs at
locations other than the main headquarters under specified conditions and
controls. ACCET accredits
noncollegiate continuing education and training organizations throughout the
United States and accredits programs abroad. Institutions that may be eligible
for accreditation include:
Trade and professional associations
Private Career Schools
Corporate training
departments
Intensive English Programs
Trade and Professional
Associations
Labor union training
programs
Religious organizations
and ethical societies
Public affairs and
cultural societies
Social service, volunteer
and personal development organizations
The Eligibility Requirements for ACCET
To be
eligible for accreditation by ACCET, an institution must meet the following
requirements:
1. It
has an identified body of individuals actively involved in a prescribed learning
format and setting. Programs offered must provide a clearly interactive
component of educational methodology appropriate to the subject matter and
expected training outcomes.
2. It
meets applicable state licensing requirements.
3. It
has a predominant portion of the participants involved in a continuing education
experience convergent with those outlined in Document 24 - Profile of
Institutional Clientele and Programs.
4. It can
demonstrate continuous, on-going and successful operation of the institution in
the delivery of education and/or training programs for at least two consecutive
years immediately prior to application. At minimum, one graduating class
must have completed their training. The term
"continuous operation" means that the principal educational and training
activities of an institution, for which accreditation or reaccreditation is
sought, has proceeded as scheduled without interruption. Exceptions
may be recognized after the fact when the interruption is caused by forces of
nature, civil disorder, or abrupt and unforeseeable change in law or regulation
affecting the institution. An
institution may apply for an exception before the fact upon application to the
Commission and a showing of good cause for the exception. Applications must be
submitted in a timely manner, considering the circumstances, in order to permit
proper consideration of the application.
5. It
has not had a prior accreditation withdrawn from a nationally recognized
accrediting agency, nor has it voluntarily withdrawn under a show cause action,
within one year prior to application to ACCET.
6. It
has been under the same ownership and/or control for at least two (2) years
immediately prior to application. This requirement may be waived by the
Commission upon provision of acceptable documentation showing the applicant
institution is owned or controlled by an educational organization with a
reputable history of stable operations and by individual(s) with extensive
credentials that demonstrate competent administration of an accredited
institution.
7. It
is an educational establishment that offers post secondary certificates,
diplomas, or degrees up to the Associate's level. If the institution offers
more advanced degrees, specifically at the Bachelor's degree level and above,
that entity will not be eligible for accreditation. This restriction does not
apply to a stand-alone department within a higher education institution that
offers Intensive English Programs (IEPs).
8. It
prescribes a correspondent time function of education and training offered in
continuing education units, clock hours, or credit hours.
9. It
offers education and training other than that required for academic credentials.
10. It
agrees upon application and accreditation to abide by the ACCET Bylaws,
Principles of Ethics, and Standards for Accreditation, policies and procedures
and to support the goals and integrity of the accreditation process.
The Accreditation
Process for ACCET
Inquiry
Following a letter of inquiry from the institution, ACCET forwards introductory
materials describing its function, structure, overview of accreditation and a
preliminary profile request for information about the institution.
Application Formal
application to ACCET for initial review and consideration to determine
eligibility, requires the submission of ACCET Document 4 - Application for
Accreditation, supporting documentation and a processing fee. Acceptance of the
application is not an indication or assessment of the institution's compliance
with the Standards for Accreditation but simply an initial indicator of
congruence with the eligibility requirements.
Accreditation and
Evaluation Workshop All
applicants are required to send at least one representative to the ACCET
Accreditation and Evaluation Workshop before submitting the Analytic
Self-Evaluation Report (ASER). The workshops are designed to provide an in-depth
study of the ACCET accreditation process in order to assist the institution in
the preparation of the ASER, the on-site evaluation and the actions of the
Commission.
Analytic
Self-Evaluation Report (ASER)
Following acceptance of the application and registration/participation at the
Workshop, the institution will complete and submit to ACCET the Analytic
Self-Evaluation Report (ASER). The ASER is not simply an assemblage of
descriptive data and information but must reflect a penetrating analysis of the
operation, its strengths and weaknesses. This evaluation is expected to be a
vital experience which yields significant insights for program improvement. The
analysis is expected to induce the applicant to reassess its objectives,
resources, programs, policies, procedures, and achievements.
Examination Team After
the ASER has been received by the ACCET staff, arrangements are made for an
examination team to make an on-site visit. Examination team members are chosen
with particular regard for the unique characteristics of the institution and
program(s) to be evaluated. Examination teams vary in size and constituency
depending upon the focus and complexity of the applicant's program(s). The team
members are assigned various individual responsibilities depending upon their
area(s) of expertise with one team member serving as chairperson. Each major
content area will be examined by a competent specialist with an educational and
experiential background in the subject field. The composition of a team will
typically include a Commission Representative, a Management/Administration
Specialist, and a Continuing Education/Curriculum Content Specialist(s) as
needed.
On-Site
Examination The
On-Site Examination Team visit is a fact-finding initiative on behalf of the
Accrediting Commission. The primary responsibility of the Team during the visit
is to establish an objective comparative analysis of the institution's ASER and
the operational characteristics relevant to each of the Standards for
Accreditation, as demonstrated by actual practices. Team examiners will seek to
verify the accuracy and validity of the information and data contained in the
ASER through inquiry, observation and sampling techniques. Both administrative
and educational activities are reviewed in the context of the ACCET standards,
policies and procedures.
Team Report The
Team prepares a report of the visit and submits it to the ACCET office for
processing. A copy of this report is sent to the applicant institution,
providing an opportunity to respond and to submit additional documentation,
pertinent to factors existent at the time of the visit, for consideration by the
Accrediting Commission.
Accrediting
Commission Action Report The
Accrediting Commission meets periodically to review and evaluate institutions,
and may accredit for a period up to five years (a maximum of three years for
initial vocational school applicants), defer accreditation pending further
evidence or required changes, deny accreditation or, withdraw accreditation from
an institution that is currently accredited. A written report of the
Commission's decision is made to the applicant within 30 days from the
conclusion of the Commission meeting.
Time Schedule While
there is no fixed, definitive timeframe for completing the accreditation review
process, twelve (12) months is a reasonable estimate for an institution
committed to a serious investment of the necessary resources. An initial
application expires one year from the date of receipt at ACCET, unless
officially accepted along with the subsequent receipt of an ASER, request for
on-site visit and fees within that timeframe. Applicants accepted prior to the
conclusion of a given Commission review cycle (April, August or December) may be
scheduled for an on-site evaluation during the following review cycle based upon
timely submission of the appropriate documentation and fees.
You should consider accreditation with ACCET if your corporation
offers in service continuing education.I provide services to support
your school throughout the accreditation process from basic education on the
standards to oversight and management of the preparation process. By suggesting
strategies to improve compliance, preparing for accreditation, quality
management and improvement and providing the expertise you need to make quality
happen.
Please call me at 818-666-1333 or contact me and we can discuss getting your school
accredited.
