TRACS accreditation resources for vocational and degree-granting Christian institutions. Download our free eligibility and readiness assessments. Learn about the application process.
TRACS Resources for the Initial Applicant
The Transactional Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) is an USDE-recognized institutional accrediting agency. We are available to help you with the entire accreditation process. Serving clients nationwide. Visit our TRACS Consulting page to learn about our services and to request a complimentary consultation.
This page includes an overview for new applicants organized in the following sections:
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TRACS Eligibility Self-Assessment
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TRACS Application Process
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TRACS 2026 Annual Conference
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From Licensed to Accredited in 4 Milestones
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TRACS Manual and Standards
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TRACS Readiness Self-Assessment
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Completing TRACS Application
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TRACS Visits
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Aligning Your Institution with TRACS
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What to Expect After Approval
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Download Our Free TRACS Guides
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Reference Pages and Publications
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Our TRACS Consulting Services
1 - TRACS Eligibility Self-Assessment
Interested in TRACS Accreditation? Download our TRACS Free Eligibility Self-Assessment to verify how close are you to meeting the requirements for the initial application.
2 - TRACS Accreditation Process
The initial TRACS application process includes the following milestones:
ACHIEVING APPLICANT STATUS
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School completes Institutional submission.
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TRACS approves Applicant Status.
ACHIEVING CANDIDATE STATUS
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School submits a Self-Study Proposal.
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TRACS conducts Self-Study Visit.
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School submits final Self-Study Report.
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TRACS conducts Onsite Evaluation Visit.
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School responds to Visit Evaluation Report.
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School appears before TRACS Commission.
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TRACS grants the Candidate Status.
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School submits Annual Compliance Report.
ACHIEVING ACCREDITATION STATUS
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TRACS grants approval to continue process.
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School submits the Self-Study Proposal.
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TRACS conducts Self-Study Visit.
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School submits final Self-Study Report.
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TRACS conducts Onsite Evaluation Visit.
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School responds to Visit Evaluation Report.
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School appears before TRACS Commission.
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TRACS grants the Accreditation Status.
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School submits Annual Compliance Report.
3 - TRACS 2026 Events
2026 TRACS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
TRACS Annual Conference is scheduled for October 28-30, 2026
Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
9300 Jeff Fuqua Blvd
Orlando, FL 32827
(407) 825-1234
4 - From Licensed to Accredited in 4 Milestones
Accreditation is probably the most challenging and rewarding experience your institution will ever go through. The tasks to be accomplished are grouped into 4 distinctive milestones:
1 - Aligning with ACCSC Standards.
2 - Implementing Annual Evaluations.
3 - Issuing Your Annual Assessment Plan.
4 - Preparing the Accreditation Documents.
Download our Licensed to Accredited Reference Guide for a description of the internal process your institution will go through to achieve each milestone. We are available to assist you in successfully completing them all. Each one builds the foundation for the next. No skipping!
5 - TRACS Manual and Standards
TRACS standards are published in their Accreditation Manual, available on TRACS Resources Page. The current manual was published in October 2024. Accreditors review their publications often. We recommend reviewing their website periodically and making the appropriate changes to your policies and procedures.
6 - TRACS Readiness Self-Assessment
There are many elements that play a role in an institution's road to accreditation status. We invite you to download our free TRACS Readiness Self-Assessment. It includes 41 items we see as key players for any institution to achieve and maintain accreditation. Feeling overwhelmed? No worries. This page includes tips and reference guides to assist you to achieve your goal
7 - Completing TRACS Applications
BEFORE YOU START
The Transactional Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) may update its manuals, forms, and applications between the time you read this page and start your application process. Institutions are expected to adhere to the latest manual, forms, and instructions on their website. Check TRACS publications and forms often.
HOW TO PREPARE THE SELF-STUDY
The Self-Evaluation Report is a narrative format document that, along with the exhibits, will demonstrate your institution's compliance with TRACS standards. Review TRACS's Self-Study Guidelines. We have prepared a reference guide that includes recommended steps for the preparation. Download our TRACS School Guide – Preparing the Self-Study
HOW TO PREPARE TRACS STRATEGIC PLAN
The Strategic Plan identifies the institution’s goals, aligning human and physical resources with the school’s mission, objectives, and budget. The plan is revised and approved annually by the institution’s Board. Download our TRACS School Guide – Preparing the Strategic Plan.
HOW TO PREPARE TRACS ASSESSMENT PLAN
The Institutional Assessment Plan evaluates the institution's effectiveness in accomplishing its mission and objectives. It reflects an ongoing process of self-evaluation completed annually. It requires first aligning your school’s policies, assessments, benchmarks, surveys, and meetings with TRACS standards. The plan is revised and approved annually by the institution’s Board. Download our TRACS School Guide – Preparing the Assessment Plan.
8 – Preparing for TRACS Visits
PREPARING FOR TRACS ACCREDITATION VISITS
Follow all instructions received from the visit coordinator. Team members will interview personnel and students and also contact graduates and employers.
PREPARING A RESPONSE TO TRACS TEAM VISITATION REPORT
After a visit, institutions receive an Evaluation Team report which will include areas of non-compliance (violations). A response must be presented showing violations listed in the visit report have been properly addressed. Follow the instructions received for the response preparation.
9 – Aligning Your Institution with TRACS
ATTENDING TRACS CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOPS
We recommend attending TRACS Annual Conference and Workshops before starting the accreditation process, as well as every year there after. Visit TRACS Conference Page.
CREATING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ALIGNED WITH TRACS
Aligning your institutions' policies and operations with TRACS standards is a must. Many Self-Study sections will refer to your institution's policies and procedures. Creating the first Policies and Procedures Manual for your school will be hard work. You will be happy once accomplished! Download our TRACS School Guide – Policies and Procedures Manual and TRACS School Guide - Operations Manual.
CONDUCTING MEETINGS TRACS COMPLIANT
Meetings are a key element of your institution's operations. Adequate minutes demonstrate the involvement of staff, faculty, and board members in all areas of your institution. You will use meeting minutes in Exhibits to be prepared for accreditation visits. Meeting minutes or attendance issues are among the most common visit findings. Download our TRACS School Guide – Annual Meetings. The recommended surveys are:
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Institution's Board (at least annually)
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Program Reviews by Faculty (annually)
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Financial (quarterly)
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Academic (quarterly)
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Institutional Assessment and Planning (quarterly)
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Strategic Planning (quarterly)
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Staff Meeting (annually)
CONDUCTING SURVEYS TRACS COMPLIANT
Surveys are the medium by which students, graduates, employers, staff, faculty, and board members provide evaluation and feedback in the different areas of an institution. Survey results are presented at the annual meetings. Download our TRACS School Guide – Annual Surveys. Consider Survey Monkey for running your school's surveys and preparing the reports for meetings. The recommended surveys are:
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Course Survey (end of term)
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Student Survey (end of the academic year)
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Graduate Survey (upon graduation)
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Employer Survey (upon student employment)
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Employee Survey (annually)
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Policies and Procedures Survey (annually)
STUDENT FILE BEST PRACTICES
Student files should use a standardized checklist. We recommend auditing student files at least once a year. Elements to audit: entrance exams, admission documentation, student orientation, enrollment agreement, SAP reports, leave of absence, attendance, academic evaluations, advising forms, tutoring forms, grievances, externship completion documentation, ledger cards, refund calculations, exit interviews, transcripts, and diplomas. Download our TRACS School Guide – Graduate Student File Documents and TRACS School Guide – Withdrawn Student File Documents.
EMPLOYEE FILE BEST PRACTICES
Audit personnel files at least annually including full-time, part-time, and contractors. Personnel files are as important as student files. Elements to audit: employment applications, resume, official transcripts, licenses, copies of valid ID, job descriptions, new employee acknowledgment forms, employee orientation, faculty orientation, annual performance evaluation, staff development plan, annual certificates of eight (8) hours of continuing education completion, class observations, personnel advising forms, personnel grievances. Download our TRACS School Guide – Employee File Documents.
YOUR INSTITUTION’S BUDGET
Besides the usual list of line items your CPA will recommend for the annual operating budget, it must include categories for each one of the areas of evaluation by ACCSC: academics, admissions, learning resource systems, financial, human resources, technical infrastructure, institutional planning, student services, operations, and maintenance. Once an institution starts the accreditation process, the projected budget should be revised against the actual quarterly with your CPA.
YOUR INSTITUTION’S OPERATING ANNUAL CALENDAR
An annual operations calendar is key to maintaining your institution in compliance. Items to include: deadlines with regulatory agencies, meetings, surveys, inventory reviews, reports, issuing the revised strategic plan, teacher planning days, training, annual employee performance evaluations, and class observations. Download our TRACS School Guide – Annual Operating Calendar.
10 – What to Expect After Approval
Once accreditation status has been granted by the Transactional Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, keeping the annual operations as you did is important. Follow your Annual Operations Calendar, and attend TRACS conferences. You may be able to start the Title IV application for the programs that qualify. You may consider applying with Homeland Security for SEVP Certification to grant International Student Visas.
11 – Download Our Free TRACS Guides
Reference guides are one of the many resources we provide our consulting clients. We have prepared one for each key player in TRACS's accreditation journey. We invite you to download them free of charge:
13 – Our TRACS Consulting Services
TRACS STARTER CONSULTING PACKAGE
We can help you with the first step in the accreditation journey: aligning your institution's operations with best practices and ACCSC standards. This consulting package includes:
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Policies and Procedures Manual.
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Operations Manual.
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Meeting Guidelines.
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Survey Guidelines.
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Sample Student and Employee Files.
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Catalog Review.
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Ten Zoom Training Sessions.
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Ten Additional Consulting Hours.
TRACS COMPLETE CONSULTING PACKAGE
This consulting package includes four modules that align with TRACS's accreditation process. This approach allows your institution to commit to one objective and consulting fee at a time. You may cancel our services at any time without penalties. Each module focuses on one of the Licensed to Accredited Milestones and includes ten (10) Zoom training sessions:
1 - Aligning with TRACS Standards.
2 - Implementing Annual Evaluations.
3 - Issuing Your Annual Assessment Plan.
4 - Preparing the Accreditation Documents.
Interested in learning more? Contact us for a complimentary consultation. Clients that have already completed the TRACS Starter Consulting Package only contract Modules 2 through 4.
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Graduate: Master & Doctoral Degrees
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Onsite and Online Colleges & Universities
Additional Programmatic Areas
We also assist schools with additional training areas such as trade skills, construction, automotive, and information technology. Can't find the program you are considering for licensing or accreditation? Let us know through our comment form. We will be happy to help you with your specific program niche.
COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION
Ready to take the first step? Schedule a complimentary phone or Zoom consultation to discuss your goals, explore our services, and see if we're the right fit for your organization. Request your complimentary consultation by calling 786-618-2277, completing our Complimentary Consultation Request form, or emailing info@baysideprojects.com.
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Request Your Free Consultation Today!
We hope the information included on this page has answered your questions regarding TRACS eligibility and the application process. Still needing assistance? We serve clients nationwide . Request your complimentary consultation by calling 786-618-2277, completing our Complimentary Consultation Request form, or emailing info@baysideprojects.com. We are readily available to assist your school with the TRACS accreditation process