The goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality. Accreditation in the United States involves non-governmental entities as well as governmental agencies.

Accrediting agencies, which are private educational associations of regional or national scope, develop evaluation criteria and conduct peer evaluations to assess whether or not those criteria are met. Institutions and/or programs that request an agency's evaluation and that meet an agency's criteria are then "accredited" by that agency.

The U.S. Department of Education does not accredit educational institutions and/or programs. However, the Secretary of Education is required by law to publish a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies that the Secretary determines to be reliable authorities as to the quality of education or training provided by the institutions of higher education and the higher education programs they accredit. An agency seeking national recognition by the Secretary must meet the Secretary's procedures and criteria for the recognition of accrediting agencies, as published in the Federal Register. Some of the criteria for recognition, such as the criterion requiring a link to Federal programs, have no bearing on the quality of an accrediting agency; however, they do have the effect of making some agencies ineligible for recognition for reasons other than quality. The recognition process involves not only filing an application with the U. S. Department of Education but also review by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, which makes a recommendation to the Secretary regarding recognition. The Secretary, after considering the Committee's recommendation, makes the final determination regarding recognition.

The U.S. Secretary of Education also recognizes State agencies for the approval of public postsecondary vocational education and State agencies for the approval of nurse education. These agencies must meet the Secretary's criteria and procedures for such recognition and must undergo review by the National Advisory Committee.

The U. S. Department of Education does not accredit institutions in foreign countries. However, the Secretary of Education does appoint members to the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation. The law gives that Committee the responsibility for reviewing the standards that foreign countries use to accredit medical schools to determine whether those standards are comparable to the standards used to accredit medical schools in the United States. The comparability decisions made by the Committee affect whether U.S. students attending foreign medical schools can receive loans under the Federal Family Education Loan Program.

The United States has no Federal Ministry of Education or other centralized authority exercising single national control over postsecondary educational institutions in this country. The States assume varying degrees of control over education, but, in general, institutions of higher education are permitted to operate with considerable independence and autonomy. As a consequence, American educational institutions can vary widely in the character and quality of their programs.

In order to ensure a basic level of quality, the practice of accreditation arose in the United States as a means of conducting non-governmental, peer evaluation of educational institutions and programs. Private educational associations of regional or national scope have adopted criteria reflecting the qualities of a sound educational program and have developed procedures for evaluating institutions or programs to determine whether or not they are operating at basic levels of quality.

Some Functions of Accreditation

1. Verifying that an institution or program meets established standards;
2. Assisting prospective students in identifying acceptable institutions;
3. Assisting institutions in determining the acceptability of transfer credits;
4. Helping to identify institutions and programs for the investment of public and private funds;
5. Protecting an institution against harmful internal and external pressure;
6. Creating goals for self-improvement of weaker programs and stimulating a general raising of standards among educational institutions;
7. Involving the faculty and staff comprehensively in institutional evaluation and planning;
8. Establishing criteria for professional certification and licensure and for upgrading courses offering such preparation; and
9. Providing one of several considerations used as a basis for determining eligibility for Federal assistance.

The Accrediting Procedure

1. Standards: The accrediting agency, in collaboration with educational institutions, establishes standards.
2. Self-study: The institution or program seeking accreditation prepares an in-depth self-evaluation study that measures its performance against the standards established by the accrediting agency.
3. On-site Evaluation: A team selected by the accrediting agency visits the institution or program to determine first-hand if the applicant meets the established standards.
4. Publication: Upon being satisfied that the applicant meets its standards, the accrediting agency grants accreditation or preaccreditation status and lists the institution or program in an official publication with other similarly accredited or preaccredited institutions or programs.
5. Monitoring: The accrediting agency monitors each accredited institution or program throughout the period of accreditation granted to verify that it continues to meet the agency's standards.
6. Reevaluation: The accrediting agency periodically reevaluates each institution or program that it lists to ascertain whether continuation of its accredited or preaccredited status is warranted.

Types of Accreditation

There are two basic types of educational accreditation, one identified as "institutional" and one referred to as "specialized" or "programmatic."

Institutional accreditation normally applies to an entire institution, indicating that each of an institution's parts is contributing to the achievement of the institution's objectives, although not necessarily all at the same level of quality. The various commissions of the regional accrediting associations, for example, perform institutional accreditation, as do many national accrediting agencies.

Specialized or programmatic accreditation normally applies to programs, departments, or schools that are parts of an institution. The accredited unit may be as large as a college or school within a university or as small as a curriculum within a discipline. Most of the specialized or programmatic accrediting agencies review units within an institution of higher education that is accredited by one of the regional accrediting commissions. However, certain accrediting agencies also accredit professional schools and other specialized or vocational institutions of higher education that are free-standing in their operations. Thus, a "specialized " or "programmatic " accrediting agency may also function in the capacity of an "institutional " accrediting agency. In addition, a number of specialized accrediting agencies accredit educational programs within non-educational settings, such as hospitals.

Accreditation does not provide automatic acceptance by an institution of credit earned at another institution, nor does it give assurance of acceptance of graduates by employers. Acceptance of students or graduates is always the prerogative of the receiving institution or employer. For these reasons, besides ascertaining the accredited status of a school or program, students should take additional measures to determine, prior to enrollment, whether or not their educational goals will be met through attendance at a particular institution. These measures should include inquiries to institutions to which transfer might be desired or to prospective employers and, if possible, personal inspection of the institution at which enrollment is contemplated.

Non-governmental Coordinating Agency

For more than 50 years, there has been some type of nongovernmental coordinating agency for accreditation. This body, whatever its form, has existed primarily for the purpose of coordinating and improving the practice of accreditation. For example, the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation (COPA), which was established in 1974 and existed until December 1993, served as a nongovernmental organization whose purpose was to foster and facilitate the role of accrediting agencies in promoting and ensuring the quality and diversity of American postsecondary education. Through its Committee on Recognition, COPA recognized, coordinated, and periodically reviewed the work of its member accrediting agencies and the appropriateness of existing or proposed accrediting agencies and their activities, through its granting of recognition and performance of other related functions. COPA itself was created through the merger of two organizations: the National Commission on Accreditation, founded in 1949 as the first national organization to develop criteria and recognize accrediting agencies; and the Federation of Regional Accrediting Commission of Higher Education.

After COPA voted to dissolve in December 1993, a new entity, the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation (CORPA) was established in January 1994 to continue the recognition of accrediting agencies previously carried out by COPA until such time as a new national organization for accreditation could be established. CORPA was dissolved in April 1997 after the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) was created. CHEA is currently the entity that carries out a recognition function in the private, nongovernmental sector. Information about CHEA may be found on the agency's website, www.chea.org.

The U.S. Secretary of Education is required by statute to publish a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies that the Secretary determines to be reliable authorities as to the quality of education or training provided by the institutions of higher education and the higher education programs they accredit. The Secretary only evaluates accrediting agencies that apply for recognition, and certain criteria for recognition that are unrelated to the quality of accrediting activities limit the scope of the Secretary's recognition activities.

Most institutions attain eligibility for Federal funds by holding accredited or preaccredited status with one of the accrediting agencies recognized by the Secretary, in addition to fulfilling other eligibility requirements. For example, accreditation by a nationally recognized institutional accrediting agency enables the institutions it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in the Federal student financial assistance programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

The commissions of the institutional (regional and national) accrediting agencies that are recognized by the Secretary have no legal control over educational institutions or programs. They promulgate standards of quality or criteria of institutional excellence and approve or renew membership of those institutions that apply for meet their accreditation and standards or criteria.

The Accrediting Agency Evaluation Unit

The Accrediting Agency Evaluation Unit has been established within the Department of Education to deal with accreditation matters. Located in the Office of Postsecondary Education, the Unit carries out the following major functions with respect to accreditation:

1. Conduct a continuous review of standards, policies, procedures, and issues in the area of the Department of Education's interests and responsibilities relative to accreditation;
2. Administer the process whereby accrediting agencies and State approval agencies secure initial and renewed recognition by the Secretary of Education;
3. Serve as the Department's liaison with accrediting agencies and State approval agencies;
4. Provide consultative services to institutions, associations, State agencies, other Federal agencies, and Congress regarding accreditation;
5. Interpret and disseminate policy relative to accreditation issues in the case of all appropriate programs administered by the Department of Education;
6. Conduct and stimulate appropriate research; and
7. Provide support for the Secretary's National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity.

The Recognition Process for Accrediting Agencies

The recognition procedures for accrediting agencies are set forth in subpart B of part 602. Other information related to an agency's application for recognition is provided below.

The Application for Recognition

Accrediting agencies desiring to be recognized by the Secretary of Education must apply for recognition and must demonstrate their compliance with the Criteria for Secretarial Recognition (34 CFR Part 602). An agency's application for recognition generally consists of a statement of the agency's requested scope of recognition, evidence of the agency's compliance with the criteria for recognition set forth in part 602, and supporting documentation.

There is no standard application form to be used by agencies applying for recognition. Rather, an agency's application for initial recognition or renewal of recognition consists of a narrative statement, organized on a criterion-by-criterion basis, showing how the agency complies with the Criteria for Secretarial Recognition. For many recognition requirements, the narrative statement need consist only of a brief narrative demonstrating how that the agency complies with a particular requirement. This statement must, however, be accompanied by clearly referenced supporting documentation demonstrating that the agency meets the requirement. For example, Section 602.15(a)(6) of the regulations requires an agency to have clear and effective controls against conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest by the agency's board members, commissioners, evaluation team members, consultants, administrative staff, and other agency representatives. The agency's narrative statement addressing this issue might simply be a statement that the agency's policies against conflicts of interest may be found in a particular policy document. The agency would have to submit a copy of that document and identify the pages on which the relevant policies were located. The agency might also choose to include a copy of the minutes of a meeting at which an agency representative abstained from voting because of a conflict of interest to demonstrate that it adheres to its written policies.

For other recognition requirements, because of their nature, the brief narrative statement, with supporting documentation, is insufficient to demonstrate compliance. In these cases, the agency's narrative statement should provide sufficient information to demonstrate that the agency's policies, standards, procedures, and practices comply with the requirement. For example, Section 602.21 of the regulations requires that an agency maintain a program of review designed to ensure that its criteria and standards are valid and reliable indicators of the quality of the education or training provided and are relevant to the education or training needs of affected students. As this requirement is fundamental to sound accreditation practices, the agency's narrative statement would have to describe in depth the processes the agency uses to review and update its criteria and standards, the tests it uses to determine their adequacy and relevance in evaluating educational quality, as well as the results of those tests, and how it determines they are relevant to the needs of affected students. The agency would also have to provide relevant supporting documentation, such as policy statements pertaining to its review program for validating and updating its standards, surveys and the results of those surveys, the constituencies involved in the review process, etc. The agency's statement and documentation would need to establish that the program of review is comprehensive; occurs at regular, yet reasonable, intervals or on an ongoing basis; examines each of the agency's standards and the standards as a whole; and involves all of the agency's relevant constituencies in the review, affording them a meaningful opportunity to provide input. The agency would also need to establish that it has the requisite procedures in place for timely changing its standards in response to the results of the review.

If an agency's application for recognition does not make specific reference to the following documents and does not include them as supporting documentation for one or more of the recognition requirements, the agency must include them as additional supporting documentation:

The agency's accreditation standards and procedures

The agency's policies and procedures

The agency's most recent externally audited financial statement

Published lists of accredited schools or programs

Self-study guidelines

Guidance aid training materials for visiting team members

Sample completed self-study reports

Sample site visit reports

Sample institution responses to site visit reports

Sample minutes of decision meetings

A list of all complaints received by the agency against an accredited program during the six-month period immediately preceding the agency's submission of its application for recognition, together with a summary of the issues involved in each complaint, the agency's disposition of that complaint, and the current status of the complaint, if it is not resolved by the time the agency submits its application

The agency's constitution and by-laws.

Note: it would be helpful if the samples provided by an agency for items 7-10 above referred to the same institution(s) or program(s).

Copies of the Application

An agency's application for recognition plus three copies should be submitted to the Accrediting Agency Evaluation unit (AAE) at the address below. Only the original of bulkier exhibit items, such as self-study reports or team reports, need to be submitted with the petition; there is no need for three copies of these items.

Accrediting Agency Evaluation
Accreditation and State Liaison
U.S. Department of Education
1990 K Street, NW, #7126
Washington, DC 20006-8509
Telephone: (202) 219-7011

Time Frame for Submission of an Application

Application for Initial Recognition

AAE accepts applications for initial recognition at any time. To receive consideration at a particular meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, an agency seeking initial recognition must submit its application at least six months in advance of that meeting. Consideration of the agency's application at the first Advisory Committee meeting that occurs after the six-month time frame is not guaranteed, however, as Department staff may need more time to complete its independent evaluation of the agency and to observe at least some of the agency's site visits and decision meetings, as required by Section 602.31(b)of the regulations.

An agency considering applying for initial recognition is encouraged to contact AAE as early as possible to discuss its possible application and to afford Department staff the opportunity to observe its site visits and decision meetings. Because observation of an agency's site visits and decision meetings by Department staff is a critical component of the review of the agency's application, it is imperative that an agency seeking initial recognition submit a list of scheduled site visits and decision meetings with its application for recognition. If an agency does not provide Department staff with an opportunity to observe an adequate number of site visits and decision meetings (typically 2-3 of each) before the Advisory Committee meeting at which the agency requests consideration of its application, Department staff may recommend that the agency's application be denied.

Agencies seeking initial recognition are reminded that recognition by the Secretary is not a prerequisite for an agency to function as an accrediting body, i.e., an agency does not have to obtain recognition before it begins to accredit institutions or programs. Rather, recognition is granted by the Secretary to an agency that meets certain Federal eligibility requirements and can demonstrate compliance with all of the criteria for recognition, establishing through its accrediting actions and decisions that it is a reliable authority regarding the quality of education offered by the institutions or programs it accredits. In general, a new accrediting agency will need to have had at least two years' experience functioning as an accrediting agency - establishing standards, evaluating institutions or programs for compliance with those standards, and making accrediting decisions based on those standards - before it submits its application for recognition. In addition, a new agency will need to be mindful of the recognition criterion requiring it to establish that it has gained wide acceptance of its standards, methods of evaluation, and accreditation decisions, as required by Section 602.13 of the regulations. Department staff will also consider whether the new agency has been organized under conditions that reasonably ensure its stability and permanence.

Application for Continued Recognition

Agencies that have been granted recognition by the Secretary are notified by the Secretary, each time recognition is granted or renewed, of the expiration date of their recognition period. They should plan to submit their application for renewal of recognition approximately six months in advance of the spring or fall meeting of the Advisory Committee that precedes the expiration date. AAE usually notifies agencies a year in advance of the Advisory Committee meeting at which their renewal application is to be considered and informs them of the date by which their application is due to AAE. In the same notice, AAE also requests a schedule of the agencies' site visits and decision meetings for the upcoming year in order to plan its observation of at least some of those activities, as required by Section 602.31(b) of the regulations.

Hearing Before the Advisory Committee

When Department staff completes its evaluation of an agency's application for recognition, the agency's application is placed on the meeting agenda of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. In preparation for the meeting, the Advisory Committee is provided with the accrediting agency's application and supporting documentation, the Department staff analysis of the application, all information relied upon by Department staff in developing the analysis, any response by the agency to the analysis or third-party comment, any Department concurrence with or rebuttal to the agency's response, and any third-party information the Secretary receives regarding the agency.

The Advisory Committee meets at least twice a year to review applications for recognition submitted by accrediting agencies. The usual times for the Committee meetings are spring (May-June) and fall (November-December). Although each member of the Advisory Committee receives every Department staff analysis of an application for recognition and all the other materials mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the Executive Director of the Advisory Committee usually assigns two or more Committee members to serve as principal readers for each application.

An agency that applies for recognition is invited to make an oral presentation before the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee also hears oral presentations from Department staff and from third parties who request to be heard.

The Advisory Committee conducts its business in public, and a transcript of the proceedings is made. After each meeting, the Advisory Committee's recommendations concerning recognition are forwarded to the Secretary, who makes the final determination regarding recognition.  An appeal process is available to any agency that disagrees with the Advisory Committee's recommendation on the agency's application.

Expansion of Scope

An application for expansion of an agency's scope of recognition may be included as an integral part of an application for renewal of recognition or it may be submitted separately. If expansion of scope is sought prior to the agency's next regularly scheduled review, agency personnel should consult with AAE staff concerning the application format.

The Department of Education is making available a searchable database of postsecondary institutions and programs accredited by accrediting agencies or state approval agencies recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. This database includes approximately 6,900 postsecondary educational institutions and programs.

The U.S. Secretary of Education recognizes those agencies determined to be reliable authorities as to the quality of education or training provided by the institutions of higher education and the higher education programs they accredit. Accreditation of an institution or program by a recognized accrediting agency provides a reasonable assurance of quality and acceptance by employers of diplomas and degrees.

The Department believes that the list will be a helpful tool for employers evaluating education credentials and for consumers making decisions about postsecondary institutions to attend. Consumers are encouraged to do additional research on institutions before making a selection of a school, checking, for example, on the transferability of credits between institutions, the availability of financial aid, etc.

The database does not include a number of postsecondary educational institutions and programs that elect not to seek accreditation but nevertheless may provide a quality postsecondary education. The U.S. Department of Education recommends that the database be used as one source of qualitative information and that additional sources of qualitative information be consulted. Other sources of reputable qualitative information include the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), a nongovernmental higher education organization that scrutinizes the quality of a universe of accrediting agencies. More information on CHEA as well as other sources of information for use in researching postsecondary institutions may be found at the Web site on diploma mills and accreditation.

Postsecondary Educational Institutions and Programs Accredited by Accrediting Agencies and State Approval Agencies Recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education

United States Department of Education

Office of Postsecondary Education
Accreditation and State Liaison

January 18, 2007

Dear Colleague:

In keeping with Goal Five of the President's Management Agenda -- expanded e-government -- the Accreditation and State Liaison (ASL) staff undertook to leverage information technology to more efficiently perform our business functions and to improve service for our customers and partners. With the help of a consulting team, ASL applied business process mapping and analysis to the existing Secretarial recognition process. This analysis resulted in recommendations for the sweeping transformation of the process from a paper-driven process to an electronic submission and review process utilizing the Internet.

The e-petition submission process was implemented in early 2005. Accrediting agencies submitting petitions and reports for review by the Secretary's National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) are to submit them into the U. S. Department of Education's On-Line Secretarial Recognition Submission System. This electronic Internet-based system can be accessed at http://opeweb.ed.gov/aslweb/.

The Web site greatly reduces the effort required to submit and process documents. Some of the features are:

• Easily upload petition narratives and supporting documents directly to the Web site,
• Indicate which of the Secretary's Criteria for Recognition each document addresses,
• Enter a brief response to each criterion,
• Review documents before opting to submit them,
• Update ASL's records with the current agency contact, telephone and email information, and
• Submit additional documents, upon request.

Accrediting agencies seeking initial recognition by the Secretary should review the information regarding its initial review at http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/
accreditation_pg12.html#Part602-Secretary'sRecognition and contact the Accreditation and State Liaison Unit at 202/219-2011 with any questions and for additional information.

Carol Griffiths, Chief
Accrediting Agency Evaluation Unit,
Accreditation and State Liaison

The regional and national accrediting agencies linked to below are recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as reliable authorities concerning the quality of education or training offered by the institutions of higher education or higher education programs they accredit. The dates specified for each entry are the date of initial listing as a nationally recognized agency, the date of the Secretary's most recent grant of renewed recognition, and the date of the agency's next scheduled review for renewal of recognition by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. Unless otherwise noted in a Title IV note after the agency's name, accreditation by an agency included on the lists linked to below may be used by an institution accredited by the agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

(Note: S = Spring meeting and F = Fall meeting)

• Regional and National Institutional Accrediting Agencies

• Specialized Accrediting Agencies

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Education Training
  • Legal
  • Community and Social Services
  • Personal Care and Services
  • Healthcare

• Accrediting Agencies Recognized for Their Preaccreditation Categories

• Accrediting Agencies Recognized for Title IV Purposes

The dates specified for each entry are the date of initial listing as a recognized agency, the date of the Secretary's most recent grant of renewed recognition, and the date of the agency's next scheduled review for renewal of recognition by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. (Note: S = Spring meeting and F =Fall meeting.)

Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology
1967/2005/F2009
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of private, postsecondary, nondegree-granting institutions and degree-granting institutions in the United States, including those granting associate, baccalaureate and master's degrees, that are predominantly organized to educate students for occupational, trade and technical careers, and including institutions that offer programs via distance education.

Michale McComis, Executive Director
2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 302
Arlington, Virginia 22201
Tel. (703) 247-4212, Fax (703) 247-4533
E-mail address: mccomis@accsct.org
Web address: www.accsct.org

Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training
1978/2008/F2012
Scope of recognition: Scope of recognition: the accreditation throughout the United States of institutions of higher education that offer continuing education and vocational programs that confer certificates or occupational associate degrees, including those programs offered via distance education.
Title IV Note: Only those institutions classified by this agency as "vocational " may use accreditation by the agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Roger J. Williams, Executive Director
1722 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 955-1113, Fax (202) 955-1118
E-mail address: rjwilliams@accet.org
Web address: www.accet.org

Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
1956/2006/S2011
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of private postsecondary institutions offering certificates or diplomas, and postsecondary institutions offering associate, bachelor's, or master's degrees in programs designed to educate students for professional, technical, or occupational careers, including those that offer those programs via distance education.

Albert Gray, Executive Director
750 First Street, NE, Suite 980
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Tel. (202) 336-6780, Fax (202) 842-2593
E-mail address: agray@acics.org
Web address: www.acics.org

Council on Occupational Education
1969/2007/S2011
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidacy Status") throughout the United States of postsecondary occupational education institutions offering non-degree and applied associate degree programs in specific career and technical education fields, including institutions that offer programs via distance education.

Gary Puckett, Executive Director
41 Perimeter Center East, NE, Suite 640
Atlanta, Georgia 30346
Tel. (770) 396-3898, (800) 917-2081, Fax (770) 396-3790
E-mail address: puckettg@council.org
Web address: www.council.org

Distance Education and Training Council, Accrediting Commission
1959/2007/F2011
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of postsecondary institutions in the United States that offer degree programs primarily by the distance education method up to and including the professional doctoral degree, and are specifically certified by the agency as accredited for Title IV purposes; and for the accreditation of postsecondary institutions in the United States not participating in Title IV that offer programs primarily by the distance education method up through the professional doctoral degrees.
Title IV Note: Only accredited institutions that are certified by the agency as accredited for Title IV purposes may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs..

Michael P. Lambert, Executive Director
1601 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Tel. (202) 234-5100, Fax (202) 332-1386
E-mail address: Detc@detc.org
Web address:www.detc.org

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education
1952/2007/S2012
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidacy status") of institutions of higher education in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including distance education programs offered at those institutions.

Jean Avnet Morse, President
3624 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
Tel. (267) 284-5000, Fax (215) 662-5950
E-mail address: info@msche.org
Web address: www.msche.org

Henry Cram, Executive Director
3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor Annex
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-2680
Tel. (215) 662-5603, Fax (215) 662-0957
E-mail address: kkastle@css-msa.org
Web address: www.css-msa.org

New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
1952/2008/F2012
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidacy status") of institutions of higher education in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont that award associate's, bachelor's, master's, and/or doctoral degrees, including the accreditation of programs offered via distance education within these institutions. This recognition extends to the Board of Trustees of the Association jointly with the Commission for decisions involving pre-accreditation, initial accreditation, and adverse actions.

Barbara E. Brittingham, Director
209 Burlington Road
Bedford, Massachusetts 01730-1433
Tel. (781) 271-0022, Fax (781) 271-0950
E-mail address:bbrittingham@neasc.org
Web address: www.neasc.org

New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Technical and Career Institutions
1952/2006/F2008
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidate status") of secondary institutions with vocational-technical programs at the 13th and 14th grade level, postsecondary institutions, and institutions of higher education that provide primarily vocational/technical education at the certificate, associate, and baccalaureate degree levels in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. This recognition extends to the Board of Trustees of the Association jointly with the Commission for decisions involving preaccreditation, initial accreditation, and adverse actions.
Title IV Note: Any vocational/technical schools accredited by this agency that offer non-degree, postsecondary education and that wish to use that accreditation to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs must be accredited by the agency as offering education through the 13th or 14th grade level.

Paul Bento, Director
209 Burlington Road, Suite 201
Bedford, Massachusetts 01730-1433
Tel. (781) 541-5416, Fax (781) 271-0950
E-mail address: pbento@neasc.org
Web address: www.neasc.org

New York State Board of Regents, and the Commissioner of Education
1952/2007/S2012
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of those degree-granting institutions of higher education in New York that designate the agency as their sole or primary nationally recognized accrediting agency for purposes of establishing eligibility to participate in HEA programs.

Richard Mills, Commissioner of Education
State Education Department
The University of the State of New York
Albany, New York 12234
Tel. (518) 474-5844 Fax (518) 473-4909
E-Mail address: rmills@mail.nysed.gov
Web address: www.nysed.gov

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
1952/2008/F2012
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidate for Accreditation") of degree-granting institutions of higher education in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, including tribal institutions, and the accreditation of programs offered via distance education within these institutions. This recognition extends to the Institutional Actions Committee jointly with the Board of Trustees of the Commission for decisions on cases for continued accreditation or reaffirmation and continued candidacy. This recognition also extends to the Review Committee of the Accreditation Review Council, jointly with the Board of Trustees of the Commission, for decisions on cases for continued accreditation or candidacy and for initial candidacy or initial accreditation when there is a consensus decision by the Review Committee.

Sylvia Manning, President
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Tel. (312) 263-0456, (800) 621-7440, Fax (312) 263-7462
E-mail address: smanning@hlcommission.org
Web address: www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org

North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, Board of Trustees
1974/2007/F2011
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidacy status") of schools offering non-degree, postsecondary education in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and in the Navajo Nation.
Title IV Note:Only those vocational/technical schools accredited by this agency that offer non-degree, postsecondary education may use that accreditation to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Mark Elgart, Executive Director
Arizona State University
7665 S. Research Drive
P.O. Box 871008
Tempe, Arizona 85287-1008
Tel. (800) 525-9517, (480) 773-6900, Fax (480) 965-8658
E-mail address: nca@ncacasi.org
Web address: www.ncacasi.org

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
1952/2008/F2012
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidacy status") of postsecondary degree-granting educational institutions in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, including the accreditation of programs offered via distance education within these institutions.

Sandra E. Elman, President
8060 165th Avenue, NE, Suite 100
Redmond, Washington 98052
Tel. (425) 558-4224, Fax (425) 376-0596
E-mail address: selman@nwccu.org
Web address: www.nwccu.org

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
1952/2006/S2011
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidate for Accreditation") of degree-granting institutions of higher education in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, including distance education programs offered at those institutions.

Belle S. Wheelan, President
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097
Tel. (404) 679-4512, Fax (404) 679-4528
E-mail address: bwheelan@sacscoc.org
Web address: www.sacs.org

Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission
1991/2005/F2009
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidate" status) of postsecondary institutions in the United States that offer certificates, diplomas, and associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees, including institutions that offer distance education.

Russell Guy Fitzgerald, Jr., Executive Director
P.O. Box 328
Forest, Virginia 24551
Tel. (434) 525-9539, Fax (434) 525-9538
E-mail address: rfitzgerald@tracs.org
Web address: www.tracs.org

Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
1952/2008/F2012
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation ("Candidate for Accreditation") of two-year, associate degree-granting institutions located in California, Hawaii, the United States territories of Guam and American Samoa, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, including the accreditation of such programs offered via distance education at these colleges.

Barbara A. Beno, President
10 Commercial Boulevard, Suite 204
Novato, California 94949
Tel. (415) 506-0234, Fax (415) 506-0238
E-mail address: accjc@accjc.org
Web address: www.wascweb.org

Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Schools
1974/2006/F2008
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidate for Accreditation") of adult and postsecondary schools that offer programs below the degree level in California, Hawaii, the United States territories of Guam and American Samoa, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Title IV Note: Only adult and postsecondary schools accredited by this agency that offer postsecondary programs below the degree level may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

David E. Brown, Executive Director
533 Airport Boulevard, Suite 200
Burlingame, California 94010
Tel. (650) 696-1060, Fax (650) 696-1867
E-mail address: mail@acswasc.org
Web address: www.wascweb.org

Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities
1952/2007/F2011
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidate for Accreditation") of senior colleges and universities in California, Hawaii, the United States territories of Guam and American Samoa, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, including distance education programs offered at those institutions.

Ralph Wolff
President and Executive Director
985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100
Alameda, California 94501
Tel. (510) 748-9001, Fax (510) 748-9797
E-mail address: wascsr@wascsenior.org
Web address: www.wascweb.org

The dates specified for each entry are the date of initial listing as a recognized agency, the date of the Secretary's most recent grant of renewed recognition, and the date of the agency's next scheduled review for renewal of recognition by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. (Note: S = Spring meeting and F = Fall meeting)

ARTS AND HUMANITIES |EDUCATION TRAINING |LEGAL |COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES |PERSONAL CARE AND SERVICES| HEALTHCARE|

American Academy for Liberal Education
1995/2007/F2010
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidacy for Accreditation") of institutions of higher education and programs within institutions of higher education throughout the United States that offer liberal arts degree(s) at the baccalaureate level or a documented equivalency.
Title IV Note: Only institutions of higher education accredited by this agency may use that accreditation to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Jeffrey D. Wallin, President
1050 17th Street, N.W., Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036
Tel (202) 452-8611, Fax (202) 452-8620
E-mail address: jwallin@aale.org
Web address: www.aale.org

National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation
1966/2008/F2012
Scope of recognition: for the accreditation throughout the United States of freestanding institutions and units offering art/design and art/design-related programs (both degree- and non-degree-granting), including those offered via distance education.
Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of art and design may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Samuel Hope, Executive Director
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston, Virginia 20190
Tel. (703) 437-0700, Fax (703) 437-6312
E-mail address: info@arts-accredit.org
Web address: www.arts-accredit.org

National Association of Schools of Dance, Commission on Accreditation
1983/2008/F2012
Scope of recognition: for the accreditation throughout the United States of freestanding institutions and units offering dance and dance-related programs (both degree- and non-degree-granting), including those offered via distance education.
Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of dance may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Samuel Hope, Executive Director
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston, Virginia 20190
Tel. (703) 437-0700, Fax (703) 437-6312
E-mail address: info@arts-accredit.org
Web address: www.arts-accredit.org

National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation,
1952/2008/F2012
Scope of recognition: the accreditation throughout the United States of freestanding institutions and units offering music and music-related programs (both degree- and non-degree-granting), including those offered via distance education.
Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of music may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Samuel Hope, Executive Director
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston, Virginia 20190
Tel. (703) 437-0700, Fax (703) 437-6312
E-mail address: info@arts-accredit.org
Web address: www.arts-accredit.org

National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation
1982/2008/F2012
Scope of recognition: the accreditation throughout the United States of freestanding institutions and units offering theatre and theatre-related programs (both degree- and non-degree-granting), including those offered via distance education.
Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of theatre may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Samuel Hope, Executive Director
11250 Roger Bacon Drive. Suite 21
Reston, Virginia 20190
Tel. (703) 437-0700, Fax (703) 437-6312
E-mail address: info@arts-accredit.org
Web address: www.arts-accredit.org

Top

EDUCATION TRAINING

Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education, Commission on Accreditation
1995/2003/S2008
Scope of recognition: The accreditation of Montessori teacher education institutions and programs throughout the United States.
Title IV Note: Only freestanding Montessori teacher education schools may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs. Further, that accreditation must have been granted in conjunction with the accrediting activities of the review committees listed above.

Gretchen Warner, Executive Director
Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education
524 Main Street, Suite 202
Racine, Wisconsin 53403
Tel. (262) 898-1846, Fax (262) 898-1849
E-mail address: warner@macte.org
Web address: www.MACTE.org

National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
1952/2006/S2011
Scope of recognition: the accreditation throughout the United States of professional education units providing baccalaureate and graduate degree programs for the preparation of teachers and other professional personnel for elementary and secondary schools, including programs offering distance education.
Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Arthur Wise, President
2010 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036-1023
Tel. (202) 466-7496, Fax (202) 296-6620
E-mail address:ncate@ncate.org
Web address: ncate.org

Teacher Education Accreditation Council, Accreditation Committee
2003/2005/S2010
Scope of recognition: for the accreditation and pre-accreditation throughout the United States of professional teacher education programs in institutions offering baccalaureate and graduate degrees for the preparation of K-12 teachers.
Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Frank B. Murray, President
One Dupont Circle, Suite 320
Washington, DC 20036-0110
Tel. (202) 466-7236, Fax (202) 466-7238
E-mail address: frank@teac.org
Web address: www.teac.org

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LEGAL

American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar
1952/2007/F2008
Scope of recognition: the accreditation throughout the United States of programs in legal education that lead to the first professional degree in law, as well as freestanding law schools offering such programs. This recognition also extends to the Accreditation Committee of the Section of Legal Education (Accreditation Committee) for decisions involving continued accreditation (referred to by the agency as "approval") of law schools.
Title IV Note: Only freestanding law schools may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Hulett H. Askew
Consultant on Legal Education, ABA
321 North Clark Street, 21st Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60610-4714
Tel. (312) 988-6746, Fax (312) 988-5681
E-mail address: askewh@staff.abanet.org
Web address: www.abanet.org/legaled/

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COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education
1978/2006/F2010
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidacy") throughout the United States of clinical training programs in marriage and family therapy at the master's, doctoral, and postgraduate levels.
Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Jeff S. Harmon
Director of Accreditation Services
112 South Alfred Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3061
Tel. (703) 253-0459, Fax (703) 253-0508
E-mail address: jharmon@aamft.org
Web address: www.aamft.org

Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation
1952/2007/F2011
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidate for Accreditation") of Bible colleges and institutes in the United States offering undergraduate programs through both campus-based instruction and distance education.

Ralph E. Enlow, Jr, Executive Director
5575 S. Semoran Boulevard, Suite 26
Orlando, Florida 32822-1781
Tel. (407) 207-0808, Fax (407) 207-0840
E-mail address: renlow@abhe.org
Web address: abhe.gospelcom.net

Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc., Accreditation Commission
1969/2007/F2011
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of both clinical pastoral education (CPE) centers and CPE and Supervisory CPE programs located within the United States and territories.
Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Teresa E. Snorton, Executive Director
1549 Claremont Road, Suite 103
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4611
Tel. (404) 320-1472 fax (404) 320-0849
E-mail address: acpe@acpe.edu
Web address: www.acpe.edu

Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools, Accreditation Commission
1974/2007/S2012
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Correspondent" and "Candidate") within the United States of advanced rabbinical and Talmudic schools.

Bernard Fryshman, Executive Vice-President
11 Broadway, Suite 405
New York, New York 10004
Tel. (212)363-1991, Fax (212) 533-5335

Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools
1952/2004/S2009
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidate for Accredited Membership") of theological schools and seminaries, as well as schools or programs that are parts of colleges or universities, in the United States, offering post baccalaureate degrees in professional and academic theological education, including delivery via distance education.
Title IV Note: Only freestanding institutions, colleges, or seminaries of theology may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Daniel O. Aleshire, Executive Director
10 Summit Park Drive
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15275-1103
Tel. (412) 788-6505, Fax (412) 788-6510
E-mail address: ats@ats.edu
Web address: www.ats.edu

Commission on English Language Program Accreditation
2003/2005/S2010
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of postsecondary, non-degree-granting English language programs and institutions in the United States.
Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Teresa D. O'Donnell, Executive Director
1725 Duke Street, Suite 500
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3457
Tel. (703) 519-2070, Fax (703)683-8099
E-mail address: todonnell@cea-accredit.org
Web address:www.cea-accredit.org

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PERSONAL CARE AND SERVICES

American Board of Funeral Service Education, Committee on Accreditation
1972/2002/S2008
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of institutions and programs within the United States awarding diplomas, associate degrees and bachelor's degrees in funeral service or mortuary science, including the accreditation of distance learning courses and programs offered by these programs and institutions.
Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of funeral service or mortuary science may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Michael Smith, Executive Director
3432 Ashland Avenue, Suite U
St. Joseph, Missouri 64506
Tel. (816) 233-3747, Fax (816) 233-3793
E-mail address: exdir@abfse.org
Web address: www.abfse.org

Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation
2002/2004/S2009
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of institutions in the United States, that award postsecondary certificates, postsecondary diplomas, and academic Associate degrees, in the practice of massage therapy and bodywork.

John R. Goss, III
Interim Executive Director
Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation
5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 440
Washington, DC 20015
Tel. (202) 895-1518, Fax (202) 895-1519
E-mail address: jgoss@comta.org
Web address: www.comta.org

National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences
1970/2006/S2008
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of postsecondary schools and departments of cosmetology arts and sciences and massage therapy.

Anthony Mirando
Executive Director
4401 Ford Avenue, Suite 1300
Arlington, Virginia 22303
Tel. (703) 600-7600, Fax (703) 379-2200
E-mail address: amirando@naccas.org
Web address: www.naccas.org

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HEALTHCARE

Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
1988/2006/F2010
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidacy" status) throughout the United States of first-professional master's degree and professional master's level certificate and diploma programs in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, as well as freestanding institutions and colleges of acupuncture or Oriental medicine that offer such programs.
Title IV Note: Only freestanding institutions or colleges of acupuncture or Oriental medicine may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Dort S. Bigg, Executive Director 
Maryland Trade Center 3 
7501 Greenway Center Drive, Suite 820
Greenbelt, MD 20770
Tel. (301) 313-0855, Fax (301) 313-0912
E-mail address: dort.bigg@acaom.org
Web address: www.acaom.org

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
1952/2006/S2011
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation of professional degree programs in pharmacy leading to the degree of Doctor of Pharmacy.
Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Peter H. Vlasses, Executive Director
20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500
Chicago, Illinois 60602-5109
Tel. (312) 664-3575, Fax (312) 664-46522
E-mail address: pvlasses@acpe-accredit.org
Web address: www.acpe-accredit.org

Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
1969/2005/F2009
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of private, postsecondary institutions in the United States offering predominantly allied health education programs and the programmatic accreditation of medical assistant, medical laboratory technician and surgical technology programs, leading to a certificate, diploma, Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Occupational Science, or Academic Associate degree, including those offered via distance education.
Title IV Note: Only freestanding allied health education institutions and institutions that offer predominantly allied health programs may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Carol Moneymaker, Executive Director
7777 Leesburg Pike, Suite 314N
Falls Church, Virginia 22043
Tel. (703) 917-9503, Fax (703) 917-4109
E-mail address: CMoneymaker@abhes.org
Web address: www.abhes.org

American College of Nurse-Midwives, Accreditation Commission
1982/2006/S2011
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation of basic certificate, basic graduate nurse-midwifery, direct entry midwifery, and pre-certification nurse-midwifery education programs. The accreditation and pre-accreditation of freestanding institutions of midwifery education that may offer other related health care programs to include nurse practitioner programs, and including those institutions and programs that offer distance education.
Title IV Note: Only freestanding institutions of midwifery education may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Mary Brucker
Chair, ACNM Accreditation Commission
Nurse-Midwifery Program
8403 Colesville Road, Suite 1550
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
Tel. (240) 485-1800, Fax (240) 485-1818
E-mail address: Mary_Brucker@baylor.edu
Web address: www.midwife.org

American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation
1952/2006/S2011
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of predoctoral dental education programs (leading to the D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree), advanced dental education programs, and allied dental education programs that are fully operational or have attained "Initial Accreditation" status, including programs offered via distance education.
Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Anthony Ziebert, Director
Commission on Dental Accreditation
American Dental Association
211 East Chicago Avenue, 18th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Tel. (312) 440-2712, (800) 621-8099, Fax (312) 440-2915
E-mail address: zieberta@ada.org
Web address: www.ada.org

American Dietetic Association, Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education
1974/2007/S2012
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation, within the United States, of Didactic and Coordinated Programs in Dietetics at both the undergraduate and graduate level, post-baccalaureate Dietetic Internships, and Dietetic Technician Programs at the associate degree level, and for its accreditation of such programs offered via distance education.
Title IV Note: Only postbaccalaureate dietetic internship programs may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Ulric K. Chung, Senior Director
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
Tel. (312) 899-4872, Fax (312) 899-4817
E-mail address: UChung@eatright.org
Web address: www.eatright.org/cade

American Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
1952/2007/F2011
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of occupational therapy educational programs offering the professional master's degree, combined baccalaureate/master's degree, and occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) degree; the accreditation of occupational therapy assistant programs offering the associate degree or a certificate; and the accreditation of these programs offered via distance education.
Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Neil Harvison
Director of Accreditation
4720 Montgomery Lane
PO Box 31220
Bethesda, Maryland 20824-1220
Tel. (301) 652-2682x2912, Fax (301) 652-7711
E-mail address: nharvison@aota.org
Web address: www.aota.org

American Optometric Association, Accreditation Council on Optometric Education
1952/2008/F2012
Scope of recognition: the accreditation in the United States of professional optometric degree programs, optometric technician (associate degree) programs, and optometric residency programs, and for the pre-accreditation categories of Preliminary Approval for professional optometric degree programs and Candidacy Pending for optometric residency programs in Department of Veterans Affairs facilities.
Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Joyce L. Urbeck, Administrative Director
243 North Lindbergh Boulevard
St. Louis, Missouri 63141
Tel. (314) 991-4100, Fax (314) 991-4101
E-mail address: JLUrbeck@aoa.org
Web address: www.aoanet.org

American Osteopathic Association, Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation
1952/2006/F2010
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Provisional Accreditation") throughout the United States of freestanding, public and private non-profit institutions of osteopathic medicine and programs leading to the degree of Doctor of Osteopathy or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of osteopathic medicine may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Konrad C. Miskowicz-Retz, Director
Department of Education
American Osteopathic Association
142 East Ontario Street
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Tel. (312) 202-8048 fax (312) 202-8202
E-mail address: kretz@osteopathic.org
Web address: www.osteopathic.org

American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
1977/2007/F2011
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidate for Accreditation") in the United States of physical therapist education programs leading to the first professional degree at the master's or doctoral level and physical therapist assistant education programs at the associate degree level and for its accreditation of such programs offered via distance education.
Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Mary Jane Harris, Director
Department of Accreditation
Trans Potomac Plaza
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Tel. (703) 706-3245, Fax (703) 684-7343
E-mail address: maryjaneharris@apta.org
Web address: www.apta.org

American Podiatric Medical Association, Council on Podiatric Medical Education
1952/2006/F2010
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidate Status") throughout the United States of freestanding colleges of podiatric medicine and programs of podiatric medicine, including first professional programs leading to the degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.
Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of podiatric medicine may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Alan R. Tinkleman, Director
9312 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, Maryland 20814-1621
Tel. (301) 571-9200, Fax (301) 571-4903
E-mail address: artinkleman@apma.org
Web address: www.cpme.org

American Psychological Association, Committee on Accreditation
1970/2005/F2009
Scope of recognition: the accreditation in the United States of doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, school and combined professional-scientific psychology; predoctoral internship programs in professional psychology; and postdoctoral residency programs in professional psychology.
Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Susan Zlotlow, Director
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Tel. (202) 336-5979, Fax (202) 336-5978
E-mail address: szlotlow@apa.org
Web address: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
1967/2003/S2008
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation (Accreditation Candidate) throughout the United States of education programs in audiology and speech-language pathology leading to the first professional or clinical degree at the master's or doctoral level, and the accreditation of these programs offered via distance education.
Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Patrima L. Tice
Director of Credentialing
2200 Research Boulevard
Rockville, Maryland 20850-3289
Tel. (301) 897-5700, Fax (301) 571-0457
E-mail address: ptice@asha.org
Web address: www.asha.org

American Veterinary Medical Association, Council on Education
1952/2007/F2011
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Reasonable Assurance") in the United States of programs leading to professional degrees (D.V.M. or D.M.D.) in veterinary medicine.
Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Elizabeth Sabin, Assistant Director
Education and Research Division
1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100
Schaumburg, Illinois 60173
Tel. (847) 925-8070, (800) 248-2862, Fax (847) 925-1329
E-mail address: esabin@avma.org
Web address: www.avma.org

Commission on Acceditation of Healthcare Management Education
1970/2007/S2012
Scope of recognition: the accreditation throughout the United States of graduate programs in healthcare management.
Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

John S. Lloyd, President and CEO
Director of Accreditation Operations
2000 14th Street North, Suite 780
Arlington, Virginia 22201
Tel. (703) 894-0960, Fax (703) 894-0941
E-mail address: jlloyds@cahme.org
Web address: www.cahme.org

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
2000/2007/F2011
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of nursing education programs in the United States, at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels, including programs offering distance education.
Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Jennifer L. Butlin, Director
One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 530
Washington, DC 20036-1120
Tel. (202) 887-6791, Fax (202) 887-8476
E-mail address: jbutlin@aacn.nche.edu
Web address: www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation/index.htm

Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
1955/2007/S2012
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of institutions and programs of nurse anesthesia within the United States at the post master's certificate, master's, or doctoral degree levels, including programs offering distance education.
Title IV Note: Only hospital-based nurse anesthesia programs and freestanding nurse anesthesia institutions may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs

Francis Gerbasi
Director of Accreditation and Education
222 South Prospect, Suite 304
Park Ridge, Illinois 60068-4010
Tel. (847) 692-7050, Fax (847) 692-7137
E-mail address: fgerbasi@aana.com
Web address: www.aana.com

The Council on Chiropractic Education, Commission on Accreditation
1974/2006/S2011
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of programs leading to the Doctor of Chiropractic degree and single-purpose institutions offering the Doctor of Chiropractic program.
Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of chiropractic may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Lee Van Dusen, Executive Director
8049 N. 85th Way
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-4321
Tel. (480) 443-8877, Fax (480) 483-7333
E-mail address: cce@cce-usa.org
Web address: www.cce-usa.org

Council on Education for Public Health
1974/2007/S2012
Scope of recognition: the accreditation within the United States of schools of public health and public health programs outside schools of public health, at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels, including those offered via distance education.
Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Laura Rasar King, Executive Director
800 Eye Street, NW, Suite 202
Washington, DC 20001-3710
Tel. (202) 789-1050, Fax (202) 789-1895
E-mail address: lking@ceph.org
Web address: www.ceph.org

Council on Naturopathic Medical Education
2003/2005/S2008
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation throughout the United States of graduate-level, four-year naturopathic medical education programs leading to the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.M.D.) or Doctor of Naturopathy (N.D.).
Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Daniel Seitz
Executive Director
P.O. Box 178
Great Barrington, Massachusetts 01230
Tel. (413) 528-8877, Fax (413) 528-8880
E-mail address: council@cnme.org
Web address: www.cnme.org

Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology
1974/2006/S2011
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of higher education programs for the nuclear medicine technologist.
Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Jan M Winn, Executive Director
2000 W. Danforth Road
Ste. 130, #203
Edmond, Oklahoma 73003
Tel. (405) 285-0546, Fax (405) 285-0579
E-mail address:jrcnmt@coxinet.net
Web address: www.jrcnmt.org

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
1957/2006/S2011
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of educational programs in radiography, magnetic resonance, radiation therapy, and medical dosimetry, including those offered via distance education, at the certificate, associate, and baccalaureate levels.
Title IV Note: Only hospital-based radiologic technology programs and freestanding radiologic technology institutions may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Leslie F. Winter, Chief Executive Director
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, Illinois 60606-3182
Tel. (312) 704-5300, Fax (312) 704-5304
E-mail address: mail@jrcert.org
Web address: www.jrcert.org

Liaison Committee on Medical Education
1952/2007/S2012
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of medical education programs within the United States leading to the M.D. degree.
Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

The LCME is administered in odd-numbered years, beginning each July 1, by:

Barbara Barzanski, Interim Secretary
Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association
515 North State Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610
Tel. (312) 464-1690, Fax (312) 464-5830
E-mail address: barbara_barzansk@ama-assn.org
Web address: www.ama-assn.org

The LCME is administered in even-numbered years, beginning each July 1, by:
Dan Hunt, Secretary
Association of American Medical Colleges
2450 N Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20037
Tel. (202) 828-0596, Fax (202) 828-1125
E-mail address: dhunt@aamc.org
Web address: www.lcme.org

Midwifery Education Accreditation Council
2001/2003/S2009
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation throughout the United States of direct-entry midwifery educational institutions and programs conferring degrees and certificates, including the accreditation of such programs offered via distance education.
Title IV Note: Only freestanding direct-entry midwifery educational institutions may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Jo Anne Myers-Ciecko, Executive Director
P.O. Box 984
La Conner, Washington 98257
Tel. (360) 466-2080, Fax (480) 907-2936
E-mail address: executivedirector@meacschools.org
Web address: www.meacschools.org

National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission
1952/2007/F2011
Scope of recognition: the accreditation in the United States of programs in practical nursing, and diploma, associate, baccalaureate and higher degree nurse education programs.
Title IV Note: Only diploma programs and practical nursing programs not located in a regionally accredited college or university may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Sharon J. Tanner, Executive Director
61 Broadway, 33rd Floor
New York, New York 10006
Tel. (800) 669-1656, Fax (212) 812-0390
E-mail address: stanner@nlnac.org
Web address: www.nlnac.org

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Under the terms of the Higher Education Act and other Federal legislation providing funding assistance to postsecondary education, an institution or program is eligible to apply for participation in certain Federal programs if, in addition to meeting other statutory requirements, it is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or if it is an institution or program with respect to which the U.S. Secretary of Education has determined that there is satisfactory assurance the institution or program will meet the accreditation standards of such an agency or association within a reasonable time. An institution of program may establish satisfactory assurance of accreditation by acquiring preaccreditation status with a nationally recognized agency that has been recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education for the award of such status. According to the Criteria for Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies, if an accrediting agency has developed a preaccreditation status, it must demonstrate that it applies criteria and follows procedures that are appropriately related to those used to award accreditation status. The criteria for recognition also require an agency's standards for preaccreditation to permit an institution or program to hold preaccreditation no more than five years.

The following is a list of accrediting agencies recognized for their preaccreditation categories and the categories that are recognized:

Regional Institutional Accrediting Agencies

MIDDLE STATES ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS--
Commission on Higher Education: Candidate for Accreditation

NEW ENGLAND ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES:
Commission on Institutions of Higher Education: Candidate for Accreditation
Commission on Technical and Career Institutions: Candidate for Accreditation

NORTH CENTRAL ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS--
Commission on Institutions of Higher Education: Candidate for Accreditation
Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, Board of Trustees

NORTHWEST COMMISSION ON COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS--
Commission on Colleges: Candidate for Accreditation

WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES--
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges: Candidate for Accreditation
Accrediting Commission for Schools: Candidate for Accreditation
Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities: Candidate for Accreditation

National Institutional and Specialized Accrediting Bodies

ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR PHARMACY EDUCATION: Candidate, Precandidate

AMERICAN ACADEMY FOR LIBERAL EDUCATION: Candidate for Accreditation

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY
Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education: Candidacy

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF NURSE-MIDWIVES
Division of Accreditation: Preaccreditation

AMERICAN OSTEOPATHIC ASSOCIATION--
Bureau of Professional Education: Provisional Accreditation

AMERICAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION--
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education: Candidate for Accreditation

AMERICAN PODIATRIC ASSOCIATION--
Council on Podiatric Medical Education: Candidate Status

AMERICAN SPEECH-LANGUAGE-HEARING ASSOCIATION--
Council on Academic Accreditation: Candidate Status

AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION--
Council on Education: Reasonable Assurance

ASSOCIATION FOR BIBLICAL HIGHER EDUCATION--
Commission on Accrediting: Candidate for Accreditation

ASSOCIATION OF ADVANCED RABBINICAL AND TALMUDIC SCHOOLS--
Accreditation Commission: Correspondent, Candidate

COMMISSION ON ACCREDITING OF THE ASSOCIATION OF THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS: Candidate for Accredited Membership

COUNCIL ON EDUCATION FOR PUBLIC HEALTH: Preaccreditation

COUNCIL ON NATUROPATHIC MEDICAL EDUCATION: Pre-accreditation

COUNCIL ON OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION: Candidate for Accreditation

MIDWIFERY EDUCATION ACCREDITATION COUNCIL: Preaccreditation

TEACHER EDUCATION ACCREDITATION COUNCIL
Accreditation Committee: Pre-accreditation

TRANSNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS: Candidate for Accreditation

The following is a list of accrediting agencies whose accreditation enables the institutions they accredit to establish eligibility to participate in the Federal student financial assistance programs administered by the Department under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended.

*ACCREDITATION COMMISSION FOR ACUPUNCTURE AND ORIENTAL MEDICINE (FORMERLY NACAOM)
Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of acupuncture or Oriental medicine may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

ACCREDITING BUREAU OF HEALTH EDUCATION SCHOOLS
Title IV Note: Only freestanding allied health education schools may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

ACCREDITING COMMISSION OF CAREER SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES OF TECHNOLOGY
(recognition includes distance education)

ACCREDITING COUNCIL FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION AND TRAINING
(recognition includes distance education)
Title IV Note: Only those institutions classified by this agency as "vocational" may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

ACCREDITING COUNCIL FOR INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS

(recognition includes distance education)

*AMERICAN ACADEMY FOR LIBERAL EDUCATION
Title IV Note: Only institutions of higher education accredited by this agency may use that accreditation to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, COUNCIL OF THE SECTION OF LEGAL EDUCATION AND ADMISSIONS TO THE BAR
Title IV Note: Only freestanding law schools may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

AMERICAN BOARD OF FUNERAL SERVICE EDUCATION, COMMITTEE ON ACCREDITATION
Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of funeral service or mortuary science may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF NURSE-MIDWIVES, ACCREDITATION COMMISSION
Title IV Note: Only freestanding institutions of midwifery education may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION, COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION APPROVAL FOR DIETETICS EDUCATION
(recognition includes distance education)
Title IV Note: Only postbaccalaureate dietetic internship programs may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

*AMERICAN OSTEOPATHIC ASSOCIATION, COMMISSION ON OSTEOPATHIC COLLEGE ACCREDITATION
Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of osteopathic medicine may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

*AMERICAN PODIATRIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, COUNCIL ON PODIATRIC MEDICAL EDUCATION
Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of podiatric medicine may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

*ASSOCIATION FOR BIBICAL HIGHER EDUCATION, COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION
(recognition includes distance education)

*ASSOCIATION OF ADVANCED RABBINICAL AND TALMUDIC SCHOOLS, ACCREDITATION COMMISSION

*COMMISSION ON ACCREDITING OF THE ASSOCIATION OF THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS
(recognition includes distance education)
Title IV Note: Only freestanding institutions, colleges, or seminaries of theology may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

COMMISSION ON MASSAGE THERAPY ACCREDITATION

THE COUNCIL ON CHIROPRACTIC EDUCATION, COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION
Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of chiropractic may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

COUNCIL ON ACCREDITATION OF NURSE ANESTHESIA EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Title IV Note: Only hospital-based nurse anesthesia programs and freestanding nurse anesthesia institutions may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

*COUNCIL ON OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION, COMMISSION (FORMERLY SACS-COEI)
(recognition includes distance education)

DISTANCE EDUCATION AND TRAINING COUNCIL, ACCREDITING COMMISSION
Title IV Note: Only accredited institutions that are certified by the agency as accredited for Title IV purposes may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

JOINT REVIEW COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION IN RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY
Title IV Note: Only hospital-based radiologic technology programs and freestanding radiologic-technology institutions may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

*MIDDLE STATES ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS, COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION
(recognition includes distance education)

MIDDLE STATES COMMISSION ON SECONDARY SCHOOLS
(recognition includes distance education)
Title IV Note: Only those vocational/technical schools accredited by this agency that offer non-degree, postsecondary education may use that accreditation to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

MIDWIFERY EDUCATION ACCREDITATION COUNCIL
(recognition includes distance education)
Title IV Note: Only freestanding, direct-entry midwifery educational institutions may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in the Title IV programs.

MONTESSORI ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR TEACHER EDUCATION, COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION
Title IV Note: Only freestanding Montessori teacher education schools may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs. Further, that accreditation must have been granted in conjunction with the accrediting activities of the review committees listed above.

NATIONAL ACCREDITING COMMISSION OF COSMETOLOGY ARTS & SCIENCES

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS OF ART AND DESIGN, COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION
Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of art and design may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS OF DANCE, COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION
Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of dance may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS OF MUSIC,
COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION AND THE
COMMISSION ON NON-DEGREE-GRANTING ACCREDITATION,
COMMISSION ON COMMUNITY/JUNIOR COLLEGE ACCREDITATION
Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of music may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS OF THEATRE, COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION
Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of theatre may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR NURSING ACCREDITING COMMISSION
Title IV Note: Only diploma programs and practical nursing programs not located in a regionally accredited college or university may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

*NEW ENGLAND ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, COMMISSION ON INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
(recognition includes distance education)

*NEW ENGLAND ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, COMMISSION ON TECHNICAL AND CAREER INSTITUTIONS
Title IV Note: Any public vocational/technical schools accredited by this agency that offer non-degree, postsecondary education and that wish to use that accreditation to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs must be accredited by the agency as offering education through the 13th and/or 14th grade level.

NEW YORK STATE BOARD OF REGENTS, AND THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION

*NORTH CENTRAL ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS, THE HIGHER LEARNING COMMISSION
(recognition includes distance education)

*NORTH CENTRAL ASSOCIATION COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION AND SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT, BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Title IV Note: Only those vocational/technical schools accredited by this agency that offer non-degree, postsecondary education may use that accreditation to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

*NORTHWEST COMMISSION ON COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
(recognition includes distance education)

*SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS, COMMISSION ON COLLEGES
(recognition includes distance education)

*TRANSNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS, ACCREDITING COMMISSION
(recognition includes distance education)

*WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, ACCREDITING COMMISSION FOR COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES
(recognition includes distance education)

*WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, ACCREDITING COMMISSION FOR SCHOOLS
Title IV Note: Only adult and postsecondary schools accredited by this agency that offer postsecondary programs below the degree level may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

*WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, ACCREDITING COMMISSION FOR SENIOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
(recognition includes distance education)

* Preaccreditation status may be used as an alternative to full accreditation by any public or private non-profit institutions accredited by this agency for the purpose of establishing eligibility to participate in Title IV programs. Please note that preaccreditation is not available as an option for establishing such eligibility by a for-profit institution accredited by this agency.

The following is a list of accrediting agencies recognized for Distance Education.

Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools

Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology Accrediting

Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training

Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools

American Board of Funeral Service Education, Committee on Accreditation

American College of Nurse-Midwives, Accreditation Commission

American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation

American Dietetic Association, Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education

American Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education

American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation

Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs

Council on Education for Public Health

Council on Occupational Education

Distance Education and Training Council, Accrediting Commission

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education

Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools

Midwifery Education Accreditation Council

National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Dance, Commission on Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation

National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges

Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission

Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges

Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities

The procedures and criteria for recognizing accrediting agencies are contained in Title 34 of the \Code of Federal Regulations. The procedures and criteria that go into effect July 1, 2000 were published in the Federal Register on October 20, 1999 as follows:

PART 602--THE SECRETARY'S RECOGNITION OF ACCREDITING AGENCIES

Subpart A--General

Sec.
602.1 Why does the Secretary recognize accrediting agencies?
602.2 How do I know which agencies the Secretary recognizes?
602.3 What definitions apply to this part?

Subpart B--The Criteria for Recognition

Basic Eligibility Requirements

602.10 Link to Federal programs.
602.11 Geographic scope of accrediting activities.
602.12 Accrediting experience.
602.13 Acceptance of the agency by others.

Organizational and Administrative Requirements

602.14 Purpose and organization.
602.15 Administrative and fiscal responsibilities.

Required Standards and Their Application

602.16 Accreditation and preaccreditation standards.
602.17 Application of standards in reaching an accrediting decision.
602.18 Ensuring consistency in decision-making.
602.19 Monitoring and reevaluation of accredited institutions and programs.
602.20 Enforcement of standards.
602.21 Review of standards.

Required Operating Policies and Procedures

602.22 Substantive change.
602.23 Operating procedures all agencies must have.
602.24 Additional procedures certain institutional accreditors must have.
602.25 Due process.
602.26 Notification of accrediting decisions.
602.27 Other information an agency must provide the Department.
602.28 Regard for decisions of States and other accrediting agencies.

Subpart C--The Recognition Process

Application and Review by Department Staff

602.30 How does an agency apply for recognition?
602.31 How does Department staff review an agency's application?

Review by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity
602.32 What is the role of the Advisory Committee and the senior Department official in the review of an agency's application?
602.33 How may an agency appeal a recommendation of the Advisory Committee?

Review and Decision by the Secretary

602.34 What does the Secretary consider when making a recognition decision?
602.35 What information does the Secretary's recognition decision include?
602.36 May an agency appeal the Secretary's final recognition decision?

Subpart D--Limitation, Suspension, or Termination of Recognition Limitation, Suspension, and Termination Procedures

602.40 How may the Secretary limit, suspend, or terminate an agency's recognition?
602.41 What are the notice procedures?
602.42 What are the response and hearing procedures?
602.43 How is a decision on limitation, suspension, or termination of recognition reached?

Appeal Rights and Procedures

602.44 How may an agency appeal the subcommittee's recommendation?
602.45 May an agency appeal the Secretary's final decision to limit, suspend, or terminate its recognition?

Subpart E--Department Responsibilities

602.50 What information does the Department share with a recognized agency about its accredited institutions and programs?

Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b, unless otherwise noted.

602.1 Why does the Secretary recognize accrediting agencies?

(a) The Secretary recognizes accrediting agencies to ensure that these agencies are, for the purposes of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), or for other Federal purposes, reliable authorities regarding the quality of education or training offered by the institutions or programs they accredit.

(b) The Secretary lists an agency as a nationally recognized accrediting agency if the agency meets the criteria for recognition listed in subpart B of this part.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.2 How do I know which agencies the Secretary recognizes?

(a) Periodically, the Secretary publishes a list of recognized agencies in the Federal Register, together with each agency's scope of recognition. You may obtain a copy of the list from the Department at any time. The list is also available on the Department's Web site.

(b) If the Secretary denies continued recognition to a previously recognized agency, or if the Secretary limits, suspends, or terminates the agency's recognition before the end of its recognition period, the Secretary publishes a notice of that action in the Federal Register. The Secretary also makes the reasons for the action available to the public, on request.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.3 What definitions apply to this part?

The following definitions apply to this part:

Accreditation means the status of public recognition that an accrediting agency grants to an educational institution or program that meets the agency's standards and requirements.

Accrediting agency or agency means a legal entity, or that part of a legal entity, that conducts accrediting activities through voluntary, non-Federal peer review and makes decisions concerning the accreditation or preaccreditation status of institutions, programs, or both.

Act means the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

Adverse accrediting action or adverse action means the denial, withdrawal, suspension, revocation, or termination of accreditation or preaccreditation, or any comparable accrediting action an agency may take against an institution or program.

Advisory Committee means the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity.

Branch campus means a location of an institution that meets the definition of branch campus in 34 CFR 600.2.

Distance education means an educational process that is characterized by the separation, in time or place, between instructor and student. The term includes courses offered principally through the use of--

(1) Television, audio, or computer transmission, such as open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, or satellite transmission;

(2) Audio or computer conferencing;

(3) Video cassettes or disks; or

(4) Correspondence.

Final accrediting action means a final determination by an accrediting agency regarding the accreditation or preaccreditation status of an institution or program. A final accrediting action is not appealable within the agency.

Institution of higher education or institution means an educational institution that qualifies, or may qualify, as an eligible institution under 34 CFR part 600.

Institutional accrediting agency means an agency that accredits institutions of higher education.

Nationally recognized accrediting agency, nationally recognized agency, or recognized agency means an accrediting agency that the Secretary recognizes under this part. Preaccreditation means the status of public recognition that an accrediting agency grants to an institution or program for a limited period of time that signifies the agency has determined that the institution or program is progressing towards accreditation and is likely to attain accreditation before the expiration of that limited period of time.

Program means a postsecondary educational program offered by an institution of higher education that leads to an academic or professional degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential.

Programmatic accrediting agency means an agency that accredits specific educational programs that prepare students for entry into a profession, occupation, or vocation.

Representative of the public means a person who is not--

(1) An employee, member of the governing board, owner, or shareholder of, or consultant to, an institution or program that either is accredited or preaccredited by the agency or has applied for accreditation or preaccreditation;

(2) A member of any trade association or membership organization related to, affiliated with, or associated with the agency; or

(3) A spouse, parent, child, or sibling of an individual identified in paragraph (1) or (2) of this definition.

Scope of recognition or scope means the range of accrediting activities for which the Secretary recognizes an agency. The Secretary may place a limitation on the scope of an agency's designation of scope defines the recognition granted according to--

(1) Geographic area of accrediting activities;

(2) Types of degrees and certificates covered;

(3) Types of institutions and programs covered;

(4) Types of preaccreditation status covered, if any; and

(5) Coverage of accrediting activities related to distance education, if any.

Secretary means the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education or any official or employee of the Department acting for the Secretary under a delegation of authority. Senior Department official means the senior official in the U.S. Department of Education who reports directly to the Secretary regarding accrediting agency recognition.

State means a State of the Union, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. The latter three are also known as the Freely Associated States.

Teach-out agreement means a written agreement between institutions that provides for the equitable treatment of students if one of those institutions stops offering an educational program before all students enrolled in that program have completed the program.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

BASIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

602.10 Link to Federal programs.

The agency must demonstrate that--

(a) If the agency accredits institutions of higher education, its accreditation is a required element in enabling at least one of those institutions to establish eligibility to participate in HEA programs; or

(b) If the agency accredits institutions of higher education or higher education programs, or both, its accreditation is a required element in enabling at least one of those entities to establish eligibility to participate in non-HEA Federal programs.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.11 Geographic scope of accrediting activities.

The agency must demonstrate that its accrediting activities cover--

(a) A State, if the agency is part of a State government;

(b) A region of the United States that includes at least three States that are reasonably close to one another; or

(c) The United States.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.12 Accrediting experience.

(a) An agency seeking initial recognition must demonstrate that it has--

(1) Granted accreditation or preaccreditation--

(2) Conducted accrediting activities, including deciding whether to grant or deny accreditation or preaccreditation, for at least two years prior to seeking recognition.

(b) A recognized agency seeking an expansion of its scope of recognition must demonstrate that it has granted accreditation or preaccreditation covering the range of the specific degrees, certificates, institutions, and programs for which it seeks the expansion of scope.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.13 Acceptance of the agency by others.

The agency must demonstrate that its standards, policies, procedures, and decisions to grant or deny accreditation are widely accepted in the United States by--

(a) Educators and educational institutions; and

(b) Licensing bodies, practitioners, and employers in the professional or vocational fields for which the educational institutions or programs within the agency's jurisdiction prepare their students.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

ORGANIZATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS

602.14 Purpose and organization.

(a) The Secretary recognizes only the following four categories of agencies:

(b) For purposes of this section, the term separate and independent means that--

(1) The members of the agency's decision-making body--who decide the accreditation or preaccreditation status of institutions or programs, establish the agency's accreditation policies, or both--are not elected or selected by the board or chief executive officer of any related, associated, or affiliated trade association or membership organization;

(2) At least one member of the agency's decision-making body is a representative of the public, and at least one-seventh of that body consists of representatives of the public;

(3) The agency has established and implemented guidelines for each member of the decision-making body to avoid conflicts of interest in making decisions;

(4) The agency's dues are paid separately from any dues paid to any related, associated, or affiliated trade association or membership organization; and

(5) The agency develops and determines its own budget, with no review by or consultation with any other entity or organization.

(c) The Secretary considers that any joint use of personnel, services, equipment, or facilities by an agency and a related, associated, or affiliated trade association or membership organization does not violate the separate and independent requirements in paragraph (b) of this section if--

(1) The agency pays the fair market value for its proportionate share of the joint use; and

(2) The joint use does not compromise the independence and confidentiality of the accreditation process.

(d) For purposes of paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the Secretary may waive the "separate and independent" requirements in paragraph (b) of this section if the agency demonstrates that--

(1) The Secretary listed the agency as a nationally recognized agency on or before October 1, 1991 and has recognized it continuously since that date;

(2) The related, associated, or affiliated trade association or membership organization plays no role in making or ratifying either the accrediting or policy decisions of the agency;

(3) The agency has sufficient budgetary and administrative autonomy to carry out its accrediting functions independently; and

(4) The agency provides to the related, associated, or affiliated trade association or membership organization only information it makes available to the public.

(e) An agency seeking a waiver of the "separate and independent" requirements under paragraph (d) of this section must apply for the waiver each time the agency seeks recognition or continued recognition.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.15 Administrative and fiscal responsibilities.

The agency must have the administrative and fiscal capability to carry out its accreditation activities in light of its requested scope of recognition. The agency meets this requirement if the agency demonstrates that--

(a) The agency has--

(1) Adequate administrative staff and financial resources to carry out its accrediting responsibilities;

(2) Competent and knowledgeable individuals, qualified by education and experience in their own right and trained by the agency on its standards, policies, and procedures, to conduct its on-site evaluations, establish its policies, and make its accrediting and preaccrediting decisions;

(3) Academic and administrative personnel on its evaluation, policy, and decision-making bodies, if the agency accredits institutions;

(4) Educators and practitioners on its evaluation, policy, and decision-making bodies, if the agency accredits programs or single-purpose institutions that prepare students for a specific profession;

(5) Representatives of the public on all decision-making bodies; and

(6) Clear and effective controls against conflicts of interest, or the appearance of conflicts of interest, by the agency's-

(b) The agency maintains complete and accurate records of--

(1) Its last two full accreditation or preaccreditation reviews of each institution or program, including on-site evaluation team reports, the institution's or program's responses to on-site reports, periodic review reports, any reports of special reviews conducted by the agency between regular reviews, and a copy of the institution's most recent self-study; and

(2) All decisions regarding the accreditation and preaccreditation of any institution or program, including all correspondence that is significantly related to those decisions.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1845-0003)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

REQUIRED STANDARDS AND THEIR APPLICATION

602.16 Accreditation and preaccreditation standards.

(a) The agency must demonstrate that it has standards for accreditation, and preaccreditation, if offered, that are sufficiently rigorous to ensure that the agency is a reliable authority regarding the quality of the education or training provided by the institutions or programs it accredits. The agency meets this requirement if-

(1) The agency's accreditation standards effectively address the quality of the institution or program in the following areas:

(2) The agency's preaccreditation standards, if offered, are appropriately related to the agency's accreditation standards and do not permit the institution or program to hold preaccreditation status for more than five years.

(b) If the agency only accredits programs and does not serve as an institutional accrediting agency for any of those programs, its accreditation standards must address the areas in paragraph (a)(1) of this section in terms of the type and level of the program rather than in terms of the institution.

(c) If none of the institutions an agency accredits participates in any Title IV, HEA program, or if the agency only accredits programs within institutions that are accredited by a nationally recognized institutional accrediting agency, the agency is not required to have the accreditation standards described in paragraphs (a)(1)(viii) and (a)(1)(x) of this section.

(d) An agency that has established and applies the standards in paragraph (a) of this section may establish any additional accreditation standards it deems appropriate.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1845-0003)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.17 Application of standards in reaching an accrediting decision.

The agency must have effective mechanisms for evaluating an institution's or program's compliance with the agency's standards before reaching a decision to accredit or preaccredit the institution or program. The agency meets this requirement if the agency demonstrates that it--

(a) Evaluates whether an institution or program--

(1) Maintains clearly specified educational objectives that are consistent with its mission and appropriate in light of the degrees or certificates awarded;

(2) Is successful in achieving its stated objectives; and

(3) Maintains degree and certificate requirements that at least conform to commonly accepted standards;

(b) Requires the institution or program to prepare, following guidance provided by the agency, an in-depth self-study that includes the assessment of educational quality and the institution's or program's continuing efforts to improve educational quality;

(c) Conducts at least one on-site review of the institution or program during which it obtains sufficient information to determine if the institution or program complies with the agency's standards;

(d) Allows the institution or program the opportunity to respond in writing to the report of the on-site review;

(e) Conducts its own analysis of the self-study and supporting documentation furnished by the institution or program, the report of the on-site review, the institution's or program's response to the report, and any other appropriate information from other sources to determine whether the institution or program complies with the agency's standards; and

(f) Provides the institution or program with a detailed written report that assesses--

(1) The institution's or program's compliance with the agency's standards, including areas needing improvement; and

(2) The institution's or program's performance with respect to student achievement.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.18 Ensuring consistency in decision-making.

The agency must consistently apply and enforce its standards to ensure that the education or training offered by an institution or program, including any offered through distance education, is of sufficient quality to achieve its stated objective for the duration of any accreditation or preaccreditation period granted by the agency. The agency meets this requirement if the agency--

(a) Has effective controls against the inconsistent application of the agency's standards;

(b) Bases decisions regarding accreditation and preaccreditation on the agency's published standards; and

(c) Has a reasonable basis for determining that the information the agency relies on for making accrediting decisions is accurate.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.19 Monitoring and reevaluation of accredited institutions and programs.

(a) The agency must reevaluate, at regularly established intervals, the institutions or programs it has accredited or preaccredited.

(b) The agency must monitor institutions or programs throughout their accreditation or preaccreditation period to ensure that they remain in compliance with the agency's standards. This includes conducting special evaluations or site visits, as necessary.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.20 Enforcement of standards.

(a) If the agency's review of an institution or program under any standard indicates that the institution or program is not in compliance with that standard, the agency must--

(1) Immediately initiate adverse action against the institution or program; or

(2) Require the institution or program to take appropriate action to bring itself into compliance with the agency's standards within a time period that must not exceed--

(b) If the institution or program does not bring itself into compliance within the specified period, the agency must take immediate adverse action unless the agency, for good cause, extends the period for achieving compliance.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.21 Review of standards.

(a) The agency must maintain a systematic program of review that demonstrates that its standards are adequate to evaluate the quality of the education or training provided by the institutions and programs it accredits and relevant to the educational or training needs of students.

(b) The agency determines the specific procedures it follows in evaluating its standards, but the agency must ensure that its program of review--

(1) Is comprehensive;

(2) Occurs at regular, yet reasonable, intervals or on an ongoing basis;

(3) Examines each of the agency's standards and the standards as a whole; and

(4) Involves all of the agency's relevant constituencies in the review and affords them a meaningful opportunity to provide input into the review.

(c) If the agency determines, at any point during its systematic program of review, that it needs to make changes to its standards, the agency must initiate action within 12 months to make the changes and must complete that action within a reasonable period of time. Before finalizing any changes to its standards, the agency must--

(1) Provide notice to all of the agency's relevant constituencies, and other parties who have made their interest known to the agency, of the changes the agency proposes to make;

(2) Give the constituencies and other interested parties adequate opportunity to comment on the proposed changes; and

(3) Take into account any comments on the proposed changes submitted timely by the relevant constituencies and by other interested parties.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

REQUIRED OPERATING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

602.22 Substantive change.

(a) If the agency accredits institutions, it must maintain adequate substantive change policies that ensure that any substantive change to the educational mission, program, or programs of an institution after the agency has accredited or preaccredited the institution does not adversely affect the capacity of the institution to continue to meet the agency's standards. The agency meets this requirement if--

(1) The agency requires the institution to obtain the agency's approval of the substantive change before the agency includes the change in the scope of accreditation or preaccreditation it previously granted to the institution; and

(2) The agency's definition of substantive change includes at least the following types of change:

(b) The agency may determine the procedures it uses to grant prior approval of the substantive change. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, these may, but need not, require a visit by the agency.

(c) If the agency's accreditation of an institution enables the institution to seek eligibility to participate in Title IV, HEA programs, the agency's procedures for the approval of an additional location described in paragraph (a)(2)(vii) of this section must determine if the institution has the fiscal and administrative capacity to operate the additional location. In addition, the agency's procedures must include--

(1) A visit, within six months, to each additional location the institution establishes, if the institution--

(2) An effective mechanism for conducting, at reasonable intervals, visits to additional locations of institutions that operate more than three additional locations; and

(3) An effective mechanism, which may, at the agency's discretion, include visits to additional locations, for ensuring that accredited and preaccredited institutions that experience rapid growth in the number of additional locations maintain educational quality.

(d) The purpose of the visits described in paragraph (c) of this section is to verify that the additional location has the personnel, facilities, and resources it claimed to have in its application to the agency for approval of the additional location.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.23 Operating procedures all agencies must have.

(a) The agency must maintain and make available to the public, upon request, written materials describing--

(1) Each type of accreditation and preaccreditation it grants;

(2) The procedures that institutions or programs must follow in applying for accreditation or preaccreditation;

(3) The standards and procedures it uses to determine whether to grant, reaffirm, reinstate, restrict, deny, revoke, terminate, or take any other action related to each type of accreditation and preaccreditation that the agency grants;

(4) The institutions and programs that the agency currently accredits or preaccredits and, for each institution and program, the year the agency will next review or reconsider it for accreditation or preaccreditation; and

(5) The names, academic and professional qualifications, and relevant employment and organizational affiliations of--

(b) In providing public notice that an institution or program subject to its jurisdiction is being considered for accreditation or preaccreditation, the agency must provide an opportunity for third-party comment concerning the institution's or program's qualifications for accreditation or preaccreditation. At the agency's discretion, third-party comment may be received either in writing or at a public hearing, or both.

(c) The accrediting agency must--

(1) Review in a timely, fair, and equitable manner any complaint it receives against an accredited institution or program that is related to the agency's standards or procedures;

(2) Take follow-up action, as necessary, including enforcement action, if necessary, based on the results of its review; and

(3) Review in a timely, fair, and equitable manner, and apply unbiased judgment to, any complaints against itself and take follow-up action, as appropriate, based on the results of its review.

(d) If an institution or program elects to make a public disclosure of its accreditation or preaccreditation status, the agency must ensure that the institution or program discloses that status accurately, including the specific academic or instructional programs covered by that status and the name, address, and telephone number of the agency.

(e) The accrediting agency must provide for the public correction of incorrect or misleading information an accredited or preaccredited institution or program releases about--

(1) The accreditation or preaccreditation status of the institution or program;

(2) The contents of reports of on-site reviews; and

(3) The agency's accrediting or preaccrediting actions with respect to the institution or program.

(f) The agency may establish any additional operating procedures it deems appropriate. At the agency's discretion, these may include unannounced inspections.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1845-0003)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.24 Additional procedures certain institutional accreditors must have.

If the agency is an institutional accrediting agency and its accreditation or preaccreditation enables those institutions to obtain eligibility to participate in Title IV, HEA programs, the agency must demonstrate that it has established and uses all of the following procedures:

(a) Branch campus.

(1) The agency must require the institution to notify the agency if it plans to establish a branch campus and to submit a business plan for the branch campus that describes--

(i) The educational program to be offered at the branch campus;

(ii) The projected revenues and expenditures and cash flow at the branch campus; and

(iii) The operation, management, and physical resources at the branch campus.

(2) The agency may extend accreditation to the branch campus only after it evaluates the business plan and takes whatever other actions it deems necessary to determine that the branch campus has sufficient educational, financial, operational, management, and physical resources to meet the agency's standards.

(3) The agency must undertake a site visit to the branch campus as soon as practicable, but no later than six months after the establishment of that campus.

(b) Change in ownership.

The agency must undertake a site visit to an institution that has undergone a change of ownership that resulted in a change of control as soon as practicable, but no later than six months after the change of ownership.

(c) Teach-out agreements.

(1) The agency must require an institution it accredits or preaccredits that enters into a teach-out agreement with another institution to submit that teach-out agreement to the agency for approval.

(2) The agency may approve the teach-out agreement only if the agreement is between institutions that are accredited or preaccredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency, is consistent with applicable standards and regulations, and provides for the equitable treatment of students by ensuring that--

(i) The teach-out institution has the necessary experience, resources, and support services to provide an educational program that is of acceptable quality and reasonably similar in content, structure, and scheduling to that provided by the closed institution; and

(ii) The teach-out institution demonstrates that it can provide students access to the program and services without requiring them to move or travel substantial distances.

(3) If an institution the agency accredits or preaccredits closes, the agency must work with the Department and the appropriate State agency, to the extent feasible, to ensure that students are given reasonable opportunities to complete their education without additional charge.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1845-0003)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.25 Due process.

The agency must demonstrate that the procedures it uses throughout the accrediting process satisfy due process. The agency meets this requirement if the agency does the following:

(a) The agency uses procedures that afford an institution or program a reasonable period of time to comply with the agency's requests for information and documents.

(b) The agency notifies the institution or program in writing of any adverse accrediting action or an action to place the institution or program on probation or show cause. The notice describes the basis for the action.

(c) The agency permits the institution or program the opportunity to appeal an adverse action and the right to be represented by counsel during that appeal. If the agency allows institutions or programs the right to appeal other types of actions, the agency has the discretion to limit the appeal to a written appeal.

(d) The agency notifies the institution or program in writing of the result of its appeal and the basis for that result.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.26 Notification of accrediting decisions.

The agency must demonstrate that it has established and follows written procedures requiring it to provide written notice of its accrediting decisions to the Secretary, the appropriate State licensing or authorizing agency, the appropriate accrediting agencies, and the public. The agency meets this requirement if the agency, following its written procedures--

(a) Provides written notice of the following types of decisions to the Secretary, the appropriate State licensing or authorizing agency, the appropriate accrediting agencies, and the public no later than 30 days after it makes the decision:

(1) A decision to award initial accreditation or preaccreditation to an institution or program.

(2) A decision to renew an institution's or program's accreditation or preaccreditation;

(b) Provides written notice of the following types of decisions to the Secretary, the appropriate State licensing or authorizing agency, and the appropriate accrediting agencies at the same time it notifies the institution or program of the decision, but no later than 30 days after it reaches the decision:

(1) A final decision to place an institution or program on probation or an equivalent status.

(2) A final decision to deny, withdraw, suspend, revoke, or terminate the accreditation or preaccreditation of an institution or program;

(c) Provides written notice to the public of the decisions listed in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section within 24 hours of its notice to the institution or program;

(d) For any decision listed in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, makes available to the Secretary, the appropriate State licensing or authorizing agency, and the public upon request, no later than 60 days after the decision, a brief statement summarizing the reasons for the agency's decision and the comments, if any, that the affected institution or program may wish to make with regard to that decision; and

(e) Notifies the Secretary, the appropriate State licensing or authorizing agency, the appropriate accrediting agencies, and, upon request, the public if an accredited or preaccredited institution or program--

(1) Decides to withdraw voluntarily from accreditation or preaccreditation, within 30 days of receiving notification from the institution or program that it is withdrawing voluntarily from accreditation or preaccreditation; or

(2) Lets its accreditation or preaccreditation lapse, within 30 days of the date on which accreditation or preaccreditation lapses.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1845-0003)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.27 Other information an agency must provide the Department.

The agency must submit to the Department--

(a) A copy of any annual report it prepares;

(b) A copy, updated annually, of its ulectory of accredited and preaccredited institutions and programs;

(c) A summary of the agency's major accrediting activities during the previous year (an annual data summary), if requested by the Secretary to carry out the Secretary's responsibilities related to this part;

(d) Any proposed change in the agency's policies, procedures, or accreditation or preaccreditation standards that might alter its--

(1) Scope of recognition; or

(2) Compliance with the criteria for recognition;

(e) The name of any institution or program it accredits that the agency has reason to believe is failing to meet its Title IV, HEA program responsibilities or is engaged in fraud or abuse, along with the agency's reasons for concern about the institution or program; and

(f) If the Secretary requests, information that may bear upon an accredited or preaccredited institution's compliance with its Title IV, HEA program responsibilities, including the eligibility of the institution or program to participate in Title IV, HEA programs. The Secretary may ask for this information to assist the Department in resolving problems with the institution's participation in the Title IV, HEA programs.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1845-0003)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.28 Regard for decisions of States and other accrediting agencies.

(a) If the agency is an institutional accrediting agency, it may not accredit or preaccredit institutions that lack legal authorization under applicable State law to provide a program of education beyond the secondary level.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the agency may not grant initial or renewed accreditation or preaccreditation to an institution, or a program offered by an institution, if the agency knows, or has reasonable cause to know, that the institution is the subject of--

(1) A pending or final action brought by a State agency to suspend, revoke, withdraw, or terminate the institution's legal authority to provide postsecondary education in the State;

(2) A decision by a recognized agency to deny accreditation or preaccreditation;

(3) A pending or final action brought by a recognized accrediting agency to suspend, revoke, withdraw, or terminate the institution's accreditation or preaccreditation; or

(4) Probation or an equivalent status imposed by a recognized agency.

(c) The agency may grant accreditation or preaccreditation to an institution or program described in paragraph (b) of this section only if it provides to the Secretary, within 30 days of its action, a thorough and reasonable explanation, consistent with its standards, why the action of the other body does not preclude the agency's grant of accreditation or preaccreditation.

(d) If the agency learns that an institution it accredits or preaccredits, or an institution that offers a program it accredits or preaccredits, is the subject of an adverse action by another recognized accrediting agency or has been placed on probation or an equivalent status by another recognized agency, the agency must promptly review its accreditation or preaccreditation of the institution or program to determine if it should also take adverse action or place the institution or program on probation or show cause.

(e) The agency must, upon request, share with other appropriate recognized accrediting agencies and recognized State approval agencies information about the accreditation or preaccreditation status of an institution or program and any adverse actions it has taken against an accredited or preaccredited institution or program.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1845-0003)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

APPLICATION AND REVIEW BY DEPARTMENT STAFF

602.30 How does an agency apply for recognition?

(a) An accrediting agency seeking initial or continued recognition must submit a written application to the Secretary. The application must consist of--

(1) A statement of the agency's requested scope of recognition;

(2) Evidence that the agency complies with the criteria for recognition listed in subpart B of this part; and

(3) Supporting documentation.

(b) By submitting an application for recognition, the agency authorizes Department staff to observe its site visits and decision meetings and to gain access to agency records, personnel, and facilities on an announced or unannounced basis.

(c) The Secretary does not make available to the public any confidential agency materials a Department employee reviews during the evaluation of either the agency's application for recognition or the agency's compliance with the criteria for recognition.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1845-0003)

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.31 How does Department staff review an agency's application?

(a) Upon receipt of an agency's application for either initial or continued recognition, Department staff--

(1) Establishes a schedule for the review of the agency by Department staff, the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, and the Secretary;

(2) Publishes a notice of the agency's application in the Federal Register, inviting the public to comment on the agency's compliance with the criteria for recognition and establishing a deadline for receipt of public comment; and

(3) Provides State licensing or authorizing agencies, all currently recognized accrediting agencies, and other appropriate organizations with copies of the Federal Register notice.

(b) Department staff analyzes the agency's application to determine whether the agency satisfies the criteria for recognition, taking into account all available relevant information concerning the compliance of the agency with those criteria and any deficiencies in the agency's performance with respect to the criteria. The analysis includes--

(1) Site visits, on an announced or unannounced basis, to the agency and, at the Secretary's discretion, to some of the institutions or programs it accredits or preaccredits;

(2) Review of the public comments and other third-party information the Department staff receives by the established deadline, as well as any other information Department staff assembles for purposes of evaluating the agency under this part; and

(3) Review of complaints or legal actions involving the agency.

(c) Department staff's evaluation may also include a review of information directly related to institutions or programs accredited or preaccredited by the agency relative to their compliance with the agency's standards, the effectiveness of the standards, and the agency's application of those standards.

(d) If, at any point in its evaluation of an agency seeking initial recognition, Department staff determines that the agency fails to demonstrate substantial compliance with the basic eligibility requirements in 602.10 through 602.13, the staff-

(1) Returns the agency's application and provides the agency with an explanation of the deficiencies that caused staff to take that action; and

(2) Recommends that the agency withdraw its application and reapply when the agency can demonstrate compliance.

(e) Except with respect to an application that is withdrawn under paragraph (d) of this section, when Department staff completes its evaluation of the agency, the staff--

(1) Prepares a written analysis of the agency, which includes a recognition recommendation;

(2) Sends the analysis and all supporting documentation, including all third-party comments the Department received by the established deadline, to the agency no later than 45 days before the Advisory Committee meeting; and

(3) Invites the agency to provide a written response to the staff analysis and third-party comments, specifying a deadline for the response that is at least two weeks before the Advisory Committee meeting.

(f) If Department staff fails to provide the agency with the materials described in paragraph (e)(2) of this section at least 45 days before the Advisory Committee meeting, the agency may request that the Advisory Committee defer acting on the application at that meeting. If Department staff's failure to send the materials at least 45 days before the Advisory Committee meeting is due to the failure of the agency to submit reports or other information the Secretary requested by the deadline the Secretary established, the agency forfeits its right to request a deferral.

(g)Department staff reviews any response to the staff analysis that the agency submits. If necessary, Department staff prepares an addendum to the staff analysis and provides the agency with a copy.

(h) Before the Advisory Committee meeting, Department staff provides the Advisory Committee with the following information:

(1) The agency's application for recognition and supporting documentation.

(2) The Department staff analysis of the agency.

(3) Any written third-party comments the Department received about the agency on or before the established deadline.

(4) Any agency response to either the Department staff analysis or third-party comments.

(5) Any addendum to the Department staff analysis.

(6) Any other information Department staff relied on in developing its analysis.

(i) At least 30 days before the Advisory Committee meeting, the Department publishes a notice of the meeting in the Federal Register inviting interested parties, including those who submitted third-party comments concerning the agency's compliance with the criteria for recognition, to make oral presentations before the Advisory Committee.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

REVIEW BY THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON INSTITUTIONAL QUALITY AND INTEGRITY

602.32 What is the role of the Advisory Committee and the senior Department official in the review of an agency's application?

(a) The Advisory Committee considers an agency's application for recognition at a public meeting and invites Department staff, the agency, and other interested parties to make oral presentations at the meeting. A transcript is made of each Advisory Committee meeting.

(b) When it concludes its review, the Advisory Committee recommends that the Secretary either approve or deny recognition or that the Secretary defer a decision on the agency's application for recognition.

(1)(i) The Advisory Committee recommends approval of recognition if the agency complies with the criteria for recognition listed in subpart B of this part and if the agency is effective in its performance with respect to those criteria.

(ii) If the Advisory Committee recommends approval, the Advisory Committee also recommends a recognition period and a scope of recognition.

(iii) If the recommended scope or period of recognition is less than that requested by the agency, the Advisory Committee explains its reasons for recommending the lesser scope or recognition period.

(2)(i) If the agency fails to comply with the criteria for recognition in subpart B of this part, or if the agency is not effective in its performance with respect to those criteria, the Advisory Committee recommends denial of recognition, unless the Advisory Committee concludes that a deferral under paragraph (b)(3) of this section is warranted.

(ii) If the Advisory Committee recommends denial, the Advisory Committee specifies the reasons for its recommendation, including all criteria the agency fails to meet and all areas in which the agency fails to perform effectively.

(3)(i) The Advisory Committee may recommend deferral of a decision on recognition if it concludes that the agency's deficiencies do not warrant immediate loss of recognition and if it concludes that the agency will demonstrate or achieve compliance with the criteria for recognition and effective performance with respect to those criteria before the expiration of the deferral period.

(ii) In its deferral recommendation, the Advisory Committee states the bases for its conclusions, specifies any criteria for recognition the agency fails to meet, and identifies any areas in which the agency fails to perform effectively with respect to the criteria.

(iii) The Advisory Committee also recommends a deferral period, which may not exceed 12 months, either as a single deferral period or in combination with any expiring deferral period in which similar deficiencies in compliance or performance were cited by the Secretary.

(c) At the conclusion of its meeting, the Advisory Committee forwards its recommendations to the Secretary through the senior Department official.

(d) For any Advisory Committee recommendation not appealed under 602.33, the senior Department official includes with the Advisory Committee materials forwarded to the Secretary a memorandum containing the senior Department official's recommendations regarding the actions proposed by the Advisory Committee.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b and 1145)

602.33 How may an agency appeal a recommendation of the Advisory Committee?

(a) Either the agency or the senior Department official may appeal the Advisory Committee's recommendation. If a party wishes to appeal, that party must--

(1) Notify the Secretary and the other party in writing of its intent to appeal the recommendation no later than 10 days after the Advisory Committee meeting;

(2) Submit its appeal in writing to the Secretary no later than 30 days after the Advisory Committee meeting; and

(3) Provide the other party with a copy of the appeal at the same time it submits the appeal to the Secretary.

(b) The non-appealing party may file a written response to the appeal. If that party wishes to do so, it must--

(1) Submit its response to the Secretary no later than 30 days after receiving its copy of the appeal; and

(2) Provide the appealing party with a copy of its response at the same time it submits its response to the Secretary.

(c) Neither the agency nor the senior Department official may include any new evidence in its submission; i.e., evidence it did not previously submit to the Advisory Committee.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b and 1145)

REVIEW AND DECISION BY THE SECRETARY

602.34 What does the Secretary consider when making a recognition decision?

The Secretary makes the decision regarding recognition of an agency based on the entire record of the agency's application, including the following:

(a) The Advisory Committee's recommendation.

(b) The senior Department official's recommendation, if any.

(c) The agency's application and supporting documentation.

(d) The Department staff analysis of the agency.

(e) All written third-party comments forwarded by Department staff to the Advisory Committee for consideration at the meeting.

(f) Any agency response to the Department staff analysis and third-party comments.

(g) Any addendum to the Department staff analysis.

(h) All oral presentations at the Advisory Committee meeting.

(i) Any materials submitted by the parties, within the established timeframes, in an appeal taken in accordance with 602.33.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.35 What information does the Secretary's recognition decision include?

(a) The Secretary notifies the agency in writing of the Secretary's decision regarding the agency's application for recognition.

(b) The Secretary either approves or denies recognition or defers a decision on the agency's application for recognition.

(1)(i) The Secretary approves recognition if the agency complies with the criteria for recognition listed in subpart B of this part and if the agency is effective in its performance with respect to those criteria.

(ii) If the Secretary approves recognition, the Secretary's recognition decision defines the scope of recognition and the recognition period.

(iii) If the scope or period of recognition is less than that requested by the agency, the Secretary explains the reasons for approving a lesser scope or recognition period.

(2)(i) If the agency fails to comply with the criteria for recognition in subpart B of this part, or if the agency is not effective in its performance with respect to those criteria, the Secretary denies recognition, unless the Secretary concludes that a deferral under paragraph (b)(3) of this section is warranted.

(ii) If the Secretary denies recognition, the Secretary specifies the reasons for this decision, including all criteria the agency fails to meet and all areas in which the agency fails to perform effectively.

(3)(i) The Secretary may defer a decision on recognition if the Secretary concludes that the agency's deficiencies do not warrant immediate loss of recognition and if the Secretary concludes that the agency will demonstrate or achieve compliance with the criteria for recognition and effective performance with respect to those criteria before the expiration of the deferral period.

(ii) In the deferral decision, the Secretary states the bases for the Secretary's conclusions, specifies any criteria for recognition the agency fails to meet, and identifies any areas in which the agency fails to perform effectively with respect to the criteria.

(iii) The Secretary also establishes a deferral period, which begins on the date of the Secretary's decision.

(iv) The deferral period may not exceed 12 months, either as a single deferral period or in combination with any expiring deferral period in which similar deficiencies in compliance or performance were cited by the Secretary, except that the Secretary may grant an extension of an expiring deferral period at the request of the agency for good cause shown.

(c) The recognition period may not exceed five years.

(d) If the Secretary does not reach a final decision to approve or deny an agency's application for continued recognition before the expiration of its recognition period, the Secretary automatically extends the recognition period until the final decision is reached.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.36 May an agency appeal the Secretary's final recognition decision?

An agency may appeal the Secretary's decision under this part in the Federal courts as a final decision in accordance with applicable Federal law.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.40 How may the Secretary limit, suspend, or terminate an agency's recognition?

(a) If the Secretary determines, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, that a recognized agency does not comply with the criteria for recognition in subpart B of this part or that the agency is not effective in its performance with respect to those criteria, the Secretary--

(1) Limits, suspends, or terminates the agency's recognition; or

(2) Requires the agency to take appropriate action to bring itself into compliance with the criteria and achieve effectiveness within a timeframe that may not exceed 12 months.

(b) If, at the conclusion of the timeframe specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the Secretary determines, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, that the agency has failed to bring itself into compliance or has failed to achieve effectiveness, the Secretary limits, suspends, or terminates recognition, unless the Secretary extends the timeframe, on request by the agency for good cause shown.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.41 What are the notice procedures?

(a) Department staff initiates an action to limit, suspend, or terminate an agency's recognition by notifying the agency in writing of the Secretary's intent to limit, suspend, or terminate recognition. The notice--

(1) Describes the specific action the Secretary seeks to take against the agency and the reasons for that action, including the criteria with which the agency has failed to comply;

(2) Specifies the effective date of the action; and

(3) Informs the agency of its right to respond to the notice and request a hearing.

(b) Department staff may send the notice described in paragraph (a) of this section at any time the staff concludes that the agency fails to comply with the criteria for recognition in subpart B of this part or is not effective in its performance with respect to those criteria.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.42 What are the response and hearing procedures?

(a) If the agency wishes either to respond to the notice or request a hearing, or both, it must do so in writing no later than 30 days after it receives the notice of the Secretary's intent to limit, suspend, or terminate recognition.

(1) The agency's submission must identify the issues and facts in dispute and the agency's position on them.

(2) If neither a response nor a request for a hearing is filed by the deadline, the notice of intent becomes a final decision by the Secretary.

(b)(1) After receiving the agency's response and hearing request, if any, the Secretary chooses a subcommittee composed of five members of the Advisory Committee to adjudicate the matter and notifies the agency of the subcommittee's membership.

(2) The agency may challenge membership of the subcommittee on grounds of conflict of interest on the part of one or more members and, if the agency's challenge is successful, the Secretary will replace the member or members challenged.

(c) After the subcommittee has been selected, Department staff sends the members of the subcommittee copies of the notice to limit, suspend, or terminate recognition, along with the agency's response, if any.

(d)(1) If a hearing is requested, it is held in Washington, DC, at a date and time set by Department staff.

(2) A transcript is made of the hearing.

(3) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, the subcommittee allows Department staff, the agency, and any interested party to make an oral or written presentation, which may include the introduction of written and oral evidence.

(e) On agreement by Department staff and the agency, the subcommittee review may be based solely on the written materials submitted.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.43 How is a decision on limitation, suspension, or termination of recognition reached?

(a) After consideration of the notice of intent to limit, suspend, or terminate recognition, the agency's response, if any, and all submissions and presentations made at the hearing, if any, the subcommittee issues a written opinion and sends it to the Secretary, with copies to the agency and the senior Department official. The opinion includes--

(1) Findings of fact, based on consideration of all the evidence, presentations, and submissions before the subcommittee;

(2) A recommendation as to whether a limitation, suspension, or termination of the agency's recognition is warranted; and

(3) The reasons supporting the subcommittee's recommendation.

(b) Unless the subcommittee's recommendation is appealed under 602.44, the Secretary issues a final decision on whether to limit, suspend, or terminate the agency's recognition. The Secretary bases the decision on consideration of the full record before the subcommittee and the subcommittee's opinion.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

APPEAL RIGHTS AND PROCEDURES

602.44 How may an agency appeal the subcommittee's recommendation?

(a) Either the agency or the senior Department official may appeal the subcommittee's recommendation. If a party wishes to appeal, that party must--

(1) Notify the Secretary and the other party in writing of its intent to appeal the recommendation no later than 10 days after receipt of the recommendation;

(2) Submit its appeal to the Secretary in writing no later than 30 days after receipt of the recommendation; and

(3) Provide the other party with a copy of the appeal at the same time it submits the appeal to the Secretary.

(b) The non-appealing party may file a written response to the appeal. If that party wishes to do so, it must--

(1) Submit its response to the Secretary no later than 30 days after receiving its copy of the appeal; and

(2) Provide the appealing party with a copy of its response at the same time it submits its response to the Secretary.

(c) Neither the agency nor the senior Department official may include any new evidence in its submission, i.e., evidence it did not previously submit to the subcommittee.

(d) If the subcommittee's recommendation is appealed, the Secretary renders a final decision after taking into account that recommendation and the parties' written submissions on appeal, as well as the entire record before the subcommittee and the subcommittee's opinion.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.45 May an agency appeal the Secretary's final decision to limit, suspend, or terminate its recognition?

An agency may appeal the Secretary's final decision limiting, suspending, or terminating its recognition to the Federal courts as a final decision in accordance with applicable Federal law.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

602.50 What information does the Department share with a recognized agency about its accredited institutions and programs?

(a) If the Department takes an action against an institution or program accredited by the agency, it notifies the agency no later than 10 days after taking that action.

(b) If another Federal agency or a State agency notifies the Department that it has taken an action against an institution or program accredited by the agency, the Department notifies the agency as soon as possible but no later than 10 days after receiving the written notice from the other Government agency.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

The U.S. Secretary of Education also recognizes two categories of State agencies:

• State agencies for the approval of public postsecondary vocational education, and
• State agencies for the approval of nurse education.

Public Postsecondary Vocation Education

The criteria and procedures used by the Secretary in designating a State agency as a reliable authority concerning the quality of public postsecondary vocational education in a State are contained in Part 603 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Those State agencies that have requested recognition and have been determined to meet the established criteria are granted recognition for a period not to exceed four years. The Secretary publishes a list of those State agencies that he recognizes as reliable authorities.

The criteria and procedures used by the Secretary in designating a State agency as a reliable authority concerning the quality of training offered by schools of nursing in a State are contained in regulations published in the January 16, 1969 FEDERAL REGISTER. Those State agencies that have requested recognition and have been determined to meet the established criteria are granted recognition for a period not to exceed four years. The Secretary publishes a list of those State agencies that he recognizes as reliable authorities.

The Recognition Process for State Agencies

The recognition procedures following by the Secretary in reviewing State approval agencies are the same as those for accrediting agencies seeking recognition by the Secretary. These procedures are set forth in detail in subpart B of part 602. Other information related to a State agency's application for recognition is provided below.

The Application for Recognition

State approval agencies desiring to be recognized by the Secretary of Education must apply for recognition and must demonstrate their compliance with the Criteria for Secretarial Recognition. An agency's application for recognition generally consists of evidence of the agency's compliance with the criteria for recognition and supporting documentation.

There is no standard application form to be used by agencies applying for recognition. Rather, an agency's application for initial recognition or renewal of recognition consists of a narrative statement, organized on a criterion-by- criterion basis, showing how the agency complies with the Criteria for Secretarial Recognition. The narrative statement must be accompanied by clearly referenced supporting documentation, including the agency's standards and procedures, published lists of approved schools or programs, self-evaluation guidelines, guidance materials for visiting team members, and sample completed self-evaluations and site visit reports, as appropriate to the criteria used.

Copies of the Application

An agency's application plus three copies should be submitted to the Accrediting Agency Evaluation unit (AAE) at the address below. Only the original of bulkier exhibit items, such as self-study reports or team reports, need be submitted with the petition; there is no need for three copies of these items.

Accrediting Agency Evaluation
Accrediation and State Liaison
U.S. Department of Education
1990 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006-8509
Telephone: (202) 219-7011

Time Frame for Submission of an Application

AAE accepts applications for initial recognition at any time. To receive consideration at a particular meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, an agency seeking initial recognition must submit its petition at least six months in advance of that meeting. Consideration of the agency's petition at the first Advisory Committee meeting that occurs after the six-month time frame is not guaranteed, however, as AAE staff may need more to complete its independent evaluation of the agency.

Agencies considering applying for initial recognition are encouraged to contact AAE as early as possible to discuss their possible application and to afford Department staff the opportunity to observe several agency site visits and decision meetings.

Agencies that have been granted recognition by the Secretary are notified by the Secretary, each time recognition is granted or renewed, of the expiration date of their recognition period. They should plan to submit their application for renewal of recognition approximately six months in advance of the spring or fall meeting of the Advisory Committee meeting that precedes that expiration date. AAE usually notifies agencies a year in advance of the Advisory Committee at which their renewal application is to be considered and informs them of the date by which their application is due to AAE. In the same notice, AAE also requests a schedule of the agencies' site visits and decision meetings for the upcoming year in order to plan its observation of at least some of those activities.

Staff Analysis of an Agency's Application

The application review process conducted by the Department of Education includes analysis of the application and observation of some of the agency's site visit and decision-making activities by Department staff. Staff members may also visit agency administrative offices to conduct interviews of agency staff and to review the agency's facilities, records and administrative operations. They may also conduct interviews or surveys of other persons, organizations, or institutions concerning the applicant agency's approval process in order to obtain further information relating to the agency's compliance with the Criteria. Department staff then prepares a written analysis of the agency's application for recognition.

Hearing Before the Advisory Committee

When Department staff completes its evaluation of an agency's application for recognition, the agency's application is placed on the agenda of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. Department staff also provides the Advisory Committee with the agency's application and supporting documentation, its analysis of the application, all information it relied upon in developing the analysis, any response by the agency to the analysis or third-party comment, any Department concurrence with or rebuttal to the agency's response, and any third-party information the Secretary receives regarding the agency.

The Advisory Committee meets at least twice a year to review petitions from accrediting and State approval agencies. The usual times for the Committee meetings are spring (May-June) and fall (November-December). Although each member of the Advisory Committee receives every Department staff analysis of an application for recognition and all the other materials mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the Executive Director of the Advisory Committee usually assigns two or more Committee members to serve as principal readers for each application.

An agency that applies for recognition is invited to make an oral presentation before the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee also hears oral presentations from Department staff and from third parties who request to be heard.

The Advisory Committee conducts its business in public, and a transcript of the proceedings is made.

The Secretary's Decision

The Secretary of Education makes the final decision regarding recognition or renewal of recognition of a State agency. Agencies may be granted initial recognition or renewal of recognition for a period of up to four years.

The Secretary's list of recognized State agencies is published periodically in the FEDERAL REGISTER.

The following are the criteria used by the Secretary in designating a State agency as a reliable authority concerning the quality of public postsecondary vocational education in its State.

The criteria and procedures for listing State agencies are contained in Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

PART 603--SECRETARY'S RECOGNITION PROCEDURES FOR STATE AGENCIES

Subpart A--(reserved)

Subpart B--Criteria for State Agencies

Sec.
603.20 Scope.
603.21 Publication of list.
603.22 Inclusion on list.
603.23 Initial recognition; reevaluation.
603.24 Criteria.

Authority: Sec. 438(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, Public Law 89-329 as amended by Public Law 92-318, 86 Stat. 235, 264 (20 U.S.C. 1094(b) (3)).

Subpart B - Criteria for State Agencies

Section 603.20 Scope.

(a) Pursuant to section 438(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended by the Public Law 92-318, the United States Secretary of Education is required to publish a list of State agencies which he determines to be reliable authorities as to the quality of public postsecondary vocational education in their respective States for the purpose of determining eligibility for Federal student assistance programs administered by the Department of Education.

(b) Approval by a State agency included on the list will provide an alternative means of satisfying statutory standards as to the quality of public postsecondary vocational education to be undertaken by students receiving assistance under such programs.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094(b)(3))

Section 603.21 Publication of list.

Periodically the U.S. Secretary of Education will publish a list in the FEDERAL REGISTER of the State agencies which he determines to be reliable authorities as to the quality of public postsecondary vocational education in their respective States.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094 (b)(3))

Section 603.22 Inclusion on list.

Any State agency which desires to be listed by the Secretary as meeting the criteria set forth in the Section 603.24 should apply in writing to the Accrediting Agency Evaluation, Accreditation and State Liaison, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20006-8509.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094(b)(3))

Section 603.23 Initial recognition and reevaluation.

For initial recognition and for renewal of recognition, the State agency will furnish information establishing its compliance with the criteria set forth in Section 603.24. This information may be supplemented by personal interviews or by review of the agency's facilities, records, personnel qualifications, and administrative management. Each agency listed will be reevaluated by the Secretary at his discretion, but at least once every four years. No adverse decision will become final without affording an opportunity for a hearing.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094(b)(3))

Section 603.24 Criteria for State agencies.

The following are the criteria which the Secretary of Education will utilize in designating a State agency as a reliable authority to assess the quality of public postsecondary vocational education in its respective State.

(a) Functional aspects.The functional aspects of the State agency must be shown by:

(1) Its scope of operations. The agency:

(2) Its organization. The State agency:

(3 ) Its procedures. The State agency:

(b) Responsibility and reliability. The responsibility and reliability of the State agency will be demonstrated by:

(1) Its responsiveness to the public interest. The State agency:

(2) It assurances that due process is accorded to institutions or programs seeking approval. The State agency:

(c) Capacity to foster ethical practices. The State agency must demonstrate its capability and willingness to foster ethical practices by showing that it:

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1094(b)(3))

For the purpose of determining eligibility for Federal assistance, pursuant to the Nurse Training Act of 1964, as amended (42 U.S.C. 298b(6)), the U.S. Secretary of Education is required to publish a list of recognized accrediting bodies, and of State agencies, which he determines to be reliable authorities as to the quality of training offered by schools and programs for diplomas, and associate, baccalaureate and graduate degrees in nursing. The following criteria for recognition of State agencies were published in the January 16, 1969 FEDERAL REGISTER. The Secretary will use these criteria in determining whether a State agency is a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered by schools of nursing.

Criteria for State Agencies

The State agency:

1. Is statewide in the scope of its operations and is legally authorized to accredit schools of nursing.

2. Makes publicly available:

a. Current information covering its criteria or standards for accreditation;

b. Reports of its operations;

c. Lists of schools of nursing which it has accredited.

3. Has an adequate organization and effective procedures, administered by a qualified board and staff, to maintain its operation on a professional basis. Among the factors to be considered in this connection are that the agency:

a. Uses experienced and qualified examiners to visit schools of nursing to examine educational objectives, programs, administrative practices, services and facilities and to prepare written reports and recommendations for the use of the reviewing body - and causes such examinations to be conducted under conditions that assure an impartial and objective judgment;

b. Secures sufficient and pertinent data concerning the qualitative aspects of the school's educational program;

c. Requires each school of nursing accredited to follow clearly defined refund policies governing all fees and tuition paid by students;

d. Enforces a well defined set of standards regarding a school's ethical practices, including recruitment and advertising;

e. Requires each school of nursing accredited to submit a comprehensive annual report, including current data on:

f. Regularly, but at least every 2 years, obtains from each accredited school of nursing:

g. Makes initial and periodic on-site inspections of each school of nursing accredited.

4. Has clear, written procedures for (a) the accreditation of a school of nursing or institution, (b) placing it on a probationary status, (c) revoking the accreditation, and (d) reinstating accreditation.

The list of recognized accrediting agencies and State agencies that have been determined by the Secretary of Education to be reliable authorities as to the quality of training offered by schools of nursing will be published periodically in the FEDERAL REGISTER. For purposes of institutional and program accreditation, as provided for in the Nurse Training Act, the appropriate accrediting associations designated by the Secretary as "Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies and Associations " (the six regional accrediting associations and the National League of Nursing, Inc.) will be included on the list.

The maximum period of recognition that may be granted to a State agency for the approval of nurse education is four years. Recognition of an agency will not denied or withdrawn without affording the agency an opportunity for a hearing by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity.