Accreditation Criteria (updated May 12, 2008)

To help institutions and peer evaluators meet their responsibilities in conducting the accreditation process, ACICS developed and periodically has revised a governing set of policies, procedures, and standards. Collectively, they comprise the Accreditation Criteria which, when complied with by institutions, results in the awarding of accreditation. This document incorporates all changes agreed to by the institutions since the last published edition, as well as organizational modifications.

Accreditation Criteria PDF (size 1.5MB)

Table of Contents

Title I: General Policies

• Chapter 1 An Overview Of The Council
• Chapter 2 Eligibility Criteria
• Chapter 3 Classification Of Campuses

Title II: General Procedures

• Chapter 1 Gaining & Maintaining Accreditation
• Chapter 2 Institutional Changes
• Chapter 3 Council Actions

Title III: Evaluation Standards

• Chapter 1 General Standards Applicable To All Institutions
• Chapter 2 Standards For Non-degree Programs
• Chapter 3 Standards For Occupational Associate's Degree Programs
• Chapter 4 Standards For Academic Associate's Degree Programs
• Chapter 5 Standards For Bachelor's Degree Programs
• Chapter 6 Standards For Master's Degree Programs
• Chapter 7 Standards For Doctorate Degree Programs

Glossary Of Definitions

Appendices

• A - ACICS Bylaws
• B - Procedures and Guidelines for Unannounced Visits
• C - Guidelines for Institutional Publications
• D - Standards of Satisfactory Progress
• E - Guidelines for Institutional Grant Programs
• F - Guidelines for English as a Second Language Programs
• G - Guidelines on Disclosure and Notificaton
• H - Principles and Guidelines for NonTraditional Education
• I- Principles and Guidelines for International Partnership Agreements
• Index