The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges ...

The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)

STANDARDS OF ACCREDITATION

July 1, 2018

ACCSC STANDARDS OF ACCREDITATION TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

1

Chapter 1 ? Rules of Process and Procedure

3

Section I ? Definitions, Accreditation Obligations, Eligibility and Process, & General Instructions 4

A. Definitions

4

B. Purpose and Scope

5

1. Purpose

5

2. Scope

5

3. Limitations of Scope

6

4. Voluntary Process

6

5. Accreditation Fees and Obligations

6

C. Educational Objectives

7

D. Institutional Eligibility Requirements

7

E. Summary of the Accreditation Process

8

F. Obligations of the Institution in Applying for Accreditation

9

G. Obligations of the Institution to Maintain Eligibility for Accreditation

10

H. General Instructions ? Submission of Documents to the Commission

10

I. Application Withdrawal

11

J. Required Reports, Applications, and Fees

11

K. Requests for Information

11

Section II ? Application for Accreditation and Self Evaluation

13

A. Applications for Accreditation

13

1. Application for Initial Accreditation

13

2. Application for Renewal of Accreditation

14

B. Self-Evaluation

15

Section III ? The On-Site Evaluation

16

A. On-site Evaluation Requirements

16

B. Categories of On-site Evaluation

16

1. Orientation/Consultative On-site Evaluation

16

2. Initial Accreditation or Renewal of Accreditation On-site Evaluation

16

3. Substantive Change On-site Evaluation

16

4. Special Evaluation or Fact-Finding On-site Evaluation

16

C. Function of On-site Evaluators

16

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D. On-site Evaluators

17

E. Announced On-site Evaluations: Notice of Team Members to School

17

F. Observers

18

G. Announced On-site Evaluations: Date and Postponement or Cancellation

18

H. On-Site Evaluation

18

I. Exit Interview

19

J. The Team Summary Report

19

K. Response to the Team Summary Report

19

Section IV ? Non-Substantive & Substantive Change Notification & Application Requirements 20

A. Changes Requiring Notification

20

B. Non-Substantive Change Provisions

20

1. Facility Expansion

20

2. Non-Substantive Program Modifications

20

3. Continuing Education Courses and Avocational Courses

21

C. Substantive Changes

21

D. Substantive Change Review and Approval Process

22

E. Specific Substantive Change Provisions

23

1. Change of Mission and Educational Objectives

23

2. Change of Control

24

3. Change of Name

28

4. Change of Location and Relocation

28

5. Separate Facilities

30

a. Branch Campus

30

b. Satellite Location

32

c. Distance Education Facility

33

6. Program Approval, Additions, and Modifications

34

7. Teach-Out Agreement

37

F. Teach-Out Plans

37

Section V ? Annual Report, Notifications, and Other Reporting

39

A. Reporting

39

B. Annual Report

39

C. Financial Reporting

40

D. Progress Reporting

40

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E. Notification Reports

41

F. Review of Reports

42

Section VI ? Complaint Procedures

43

A. Complaints against Applicant and Accredited Schools

43

1. Purpose of Complaint Procedure

43

2. Parties Who May File a Complaint

43

3. Filing and Content of a Complaint

43

4. Processing a Complaint

44

5. Taking Action on a Complaint

45

6. Reporting of Complaint Activity to the Commission

45

7. Information from the U.S. Department of Education or Other Government Entities

45

B. Complaints against ACCSC Evaluators

45

C. Complaints against ACCSC, Commissioners, or Staff Members

46

Section VII ? Commission Actions

47

A. Authority

47

B. Effective Date of Commission Decision

47

C. Basis for Decisions

47

D. Commission Consideration of Third Party Information

48

E. Consideration of Applications and Other Matters

50

F. Deferral of Action

50

G. Accreditation

50

H. Stipulations

51

I. Heightened Monitoring

52

J. Reporting

52

K. Warning

52

L. Probation

53

M. Timelines to Remedy Noncompliance

54

N. Denial of Accreditation

55

O. Denial of a Substantive Change Application

55

P. Withdrawal of Accreditation

55

Q. Voluntary Withdrawal/Closure

56

R. Other Actions to Monitor Ongoing Compliance

57

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Section VIII ? Appeal of a Commission Decision

58

A. Coverage of Appeals

58

B. Grounds for Appeal and Standard of Review

58

C. Appeal Procedures

58

D. Appeals Panel

60

E. Sitting Appeals Panel: Scope of Authority

61

F. Appeal Hearing Procedures

61

G. Appeal Fees and Expenses

61

Section IX ? Revisions to and Waivers of the Standards of Accreditation

63

A. Authority

63

B. Publication of Proposed Changes to the Standards of Accreditation

63

C. Opportunity for Comment

63

D. Publication of Final Changes

63

E. Waivers

64

Section X ? Notification and Information Sharing

65

A. Scope of Public Information

65

B. Notification of Commission Actions to Schools

65

C. Notification of Commission Actions to Government Entities & Other Accrediting Agencies 66

D. Disclosure of Commission Actions to the Public

66

E. Information Sharing with Government Entities & Other Accrediting Agencies

67

F. Exception in the Event of Appropriate Legal Request

67

G. Authorized Disclosure of Information

67

Section XI ? Pilot Projects

69

A. Eligibility

69

B. Application

69

C. Evaluation

70

D. Commission Review

70

E. Progress Report

71

F. On-site Evaluation

71

G. Final Report

71

H. Renewal

71

I. Commission Decision

71

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