INTERNATIONAL HIGHER
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY
Standards for Accreditation
The New Application Commission for Higher Education (I.H.P.E.A) is one of seven regional higher education accreditation bodies in the United States. I.H.P.E.A is a voluntary, not-for-profit and autonomous organization whose primary objective is the accreditation of educational institutions. Through its assessment activities, the commission provides general guarantees about educational quality to degree-granting institutions that seek or wish to maintain accreditation.
Definitions and Purposes of Accreditation
Accreditation in higher education is a collegial process based on self and peer assessment. Its purpose is the improvement of academic quality and public accountability. This continuing quality control process occurs usually every five to ten years.
Online in an Instant
Accreditation is a term covering both the initial and ongoing approval of a school, postsecondary institution, or program offering as meeting the standards established by a nationally recognized accrediting association for membership in the association. Accrediting associations are voluntary membership organizations that undertake to monitor the academic and administrative quality of their members, which are either entire institutions or components.
Functions of Accreditation:
1. Certifying that an institution or program has met 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 situational evaluation and planning
8. Establishing criteria for professional certification and licensure and for upgrading federal assistance
The Accrediting Procedure:
1. Standards: The accrediting agency, in collaboration with its communities of interest, establishes and periodically revises standards and policies.
2. Self-study: The institution or program seeking accreditation prepares an in-depth self-study that measures its performance against the standards established by the accrediting agency.
3. On-site Evaluation: The association selects a team of external academic and administrative experts from other similar institutions or programs. The team reviews the self-study and visits the institution or program to determine first-hand if the applicant meets the established standards. The evaluation team issues its report of findings enumerating any conditions that need to be met before full positive approval may be given.
4. Publication: The association’s members of the Board of Commissioners vote on the status of the candidate or member, and publish the names and information about successful candidates and re-accredited members in the next annual edition of its official approved list.
5. Reevaluation: The accrediting agency periodically reevaluates each institution or program that it lists to ascertain whether continuation of its accredited or pre-accredited status is warranted.