Getting Started with your school accreditation

Conduct a planning session with key personnel and revise your institution's vision. Prepare a list of the programs you would like to add to your current offering in the short and long term. 

Review the list of approved accrediting agencies by the U.S. Department of Education, and study in detail the eligibility requirements and process for the ones that you consider are a good match. 

Choose an accrediting agency that will accommodate your institution's growth. Review the accreditor's scope and make sure it will still be the best choice when looking at future programs and vision for your institution.  

Present research results to the school stakeholders. 

​Study all resources available on the chosen accrediting agency's website.

Designate a minimum of three employees at your institution to drive the accreditation project. It is critical that the President and Director of Education understand the requirements, process, manpower, and financial resources this project will demand.     

Attend the workshop(s) offered by the chosen accrediting agency.

Study the standards of your chosen accrediting agency.

Revise your institution's policies and procedures manual to be in compliance with the accrediting agency standards.

Prepare a plan to drive this initiative from beginning to end. The process usually takes between 18 to 24 months.

Meet weekly to confirm progress and make any adjustments to the plan as needed.

Involve all personnel of the institution: faculty and administrative staff. 

Start operating your institution as if it was accredited at least 12 months prior to applying. This is a very important and critical element usually overseen. Keep in mind the institution will be required to demonstrate its compliance with all accreditation standards. The only way to do so is to be operating as per the accrediting agency standards for a long enough period to collect all necessary evidence. Institutions demonstrate compliance by preparing exhibits for an onsite visit that should include minutes of conducted meetings, surveys, reports, curriculum, and assessments conducted during the year prior to the accreditation visit. 

Submit the initial application and follow your chosen accrediting agency's guide.

Buckle up and keep going until the job gets done!