Criteria for the Recognition of State Agencies for Vocational Education

•  State Agencies Recognized for the Approval of Public Postsecondary Vocational Education

Criteria and Procedures for Recognition of State Agencies for Nurse Education

•  State Agencies and Accrediting Bodies Recognized for the Approval of Nurse Education

The goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality. Accreditation in the United States involves non-governmental entities as well as governmental agencies.

Accrediting agencies, which are private educational associations of regional or national scope, develop evaluation criteria and conduct peer evaluations to assess whether or not those criteria are met. Institutions and/or programs that request an agency's evaluation and that meet an agency's criteria are then "accredited" by that agency.

The U.S. Department of Education does not accredit educational institutions and/or programs. However, the Secretary of Education is required by law to publish a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies that the Secretary determines to be reliable authorities as to the quality of education or training provided by the institutions of higher education and the higher education programs they accredit. An agency seeking national recognition by the Secretary must meet the Secretary's procedures and criteria for the recognition of accrediting agencies, as published in the Federal Register. Some of the criteria for recognition, such as the criterion requiring a link to Federal programs, have no bearing on the quality of an accrediting agency; however, they do have the effect of making some agencies ineligible for recognition for reasons other than quality. The recognition process involves not only filing an application with the U. S. Department of Education but also review by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, which makes a recommendation to the Secretary regarding recognition. The Secretary, after considering the Committee's recommendation, makes the final determination regarding recognition.

The U.S. Secretary of Education also recognizes State agencies for the approval of public postsecondary vocational education and State agencies for the approval of nurse education. These agencies must meet the Secretary's criteria and procedures for such recognition and must undergo review by the National Advisory Committee.

The U. S. Department of Education does not accredit institutions in foreign countries. However, the Secretary of Education does appoint members to the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation. The law gives that Committee the responsibility for reviewing the standards that foreign countries use to accredit medical schools to determine whether those standards are comparable to the standards used to accredit medical schools in the United States. The comparability decisions made by the Committee affect whether U.S. students attending foreign medical schools can receive loans under the Federal Family Education Loan Program.

The United States has no Federal Ministry of Education or other centralized authority exercising single national control over postsecondary educational institutions in this country. The States assume varying degrees of control over education, but, in general, institutions of higher education are permitted to operate with considerable independence and autonomy. As a consequence, American educational institutions can vary widely in the character and quality of their programs.

In order to insure a basic level of quality, the practice of accreditation arose in the United States as a means of conducting non-governmental, peer evaluation of educational institutions and programs. Private educational associations of regional or national scope have adopted criteria reflecting the qualities of a sound educational program and have developed procedures for evaluating institutions or programs to determine whether or not they are operating at basic levels of quality.

Some Functions of Accreditation

1. Verifying that an institution or program meets 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 institutional evaluation and planning;
8. Establishing criteria for professional certification and licensure and for upgrading courses offering such preparation; and
9. Providing one of several considerations used as a basis for determining eligibility for Federal assistance.

The Accrediting Procedure

1. Standards: The accrediting agency, in collaboration with educational institutions, establishes standards.
2. Self-study: The institution or program seeking accreditation prepares an in-depth self-evaluation study that measures its performance against the standards established by the accrediting agency.
3. On-site Evaluation: A team selected by the accrediting agency visits the institution or program to determine first-hand if the applicant meets the established standards.
4. Publication: Upon being satisfied that the applicant meets its standards, the accrediting agency grants accreditation or preaccreditation status and lists the institution or program in an official publication with other similarly accredited or preaccredited institutions or programs.
5. Monitoring: The accrediting agency monitors each accredited institution or program throughout the period of accreditation granted to verify that it continues to meet the agency's standards.
6. Reevaluation: The accrediting agency periodically reevaluates each institution or program that it lists to ascertain whether continuation of its accredited or preaccredited status is warranted.

Types of Accreditation

There are two basic types of educational accreditation, one identified as "institutional" and one referred to as "specialized" or "programmatic."

Institutional accreditation normally applies to an entire institution, indicating that each of an institution's parts is contributing to the achievement of the institution's objectives, although not necessarily all at the same level of quality. The various commissions of the regional accrediting associations, for example, perform institutional accreditation, as do many national accrediting agencies.

Specialized or programmatic accreditation normally applies to programs, departments, or schools that are parts of an institution. The accredited unit may be as large as a college or school within a university or as small as a curriculum within a discipline. Most of the specialized or programmatic accrediting agencies review units within an institution of higher education that is accredited by one of the regional accrediting commissions. However, certain accrediting agencies also accredit professional schools and other specialized or vocational institutions of higher education that are free-standing in their operations. Thus, a "specialized " or "programmatic " accrediting agency may also function in the capacity of an "institutional " accrediting agency. In addition, a number of specialized accrediting agencies accredit educational programs within non-educational settings, such as hospitals.

Accreditation does not provide automatic acceptance by an institution of credit earned at another institution, nor does it give assurance of acceptance of graduates by employers. Acceptance of students or graduates is always the prerogative of the receiving institution or employer. For these reasons, besides ascertaining the accredited status of a school or program, students should take additional measures to determine, prior to enrollment, whether or not their educational goals will be met through attendance at a particular institution. These measures should include inquiries to institutions to which transfer might be desired or to prospective employers and, if possible, personal inspection of the institution at which enrollment is contemplated.

Non-governmental Coordinating Agency

For more than 50 years, there has been some type of nongovernmental coordinating agency for accreditation. This body, whatever its form, has existed primarily for the purpose of coordinating and improving the practice of accreditation. For example, the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation (COPA), which was established in 1974 and existed until December 1993, served as a nongovernmental organization whose purpose was to foster and facilitate the role of accrediting agencies in promoting and ensuring the quality and diversity of American postsecondary education. Through its Committee on Recognition, COPA recognized, coordinated, and periodically reviewed the work of its member accrediting agencies and the appropriateness of existing or proposed accrediting agencies and their activities, through its granting of recognition and performance of other related functions. COPA itself was created through the merger of two organizations: the National Commission on Accreditation, founded in 1949 as the first national organization to develop criteria and recognize accrediting agencies; and the Federation of Regional Accrediting Commission of Higher Education.

After COPA voted to dissolve in December 1993, a new entity, the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation (CORPA) was established in January 1994 to continue the recognition of accrediting agencies previously carried out by COPA until such time as a new national organization for accreditation could be established. CORPA was dissolved in April 1997 after the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) was created. CHEA is currently the entity that carries out a recognition function in the private, nongovernmental sector. Information about CHEA may be found on the agency's website, www.chea.org.

Most institutions attain eligibility for Federal funds by holding accredited or preaccredited status with one of the accrediting agencies recognized by the Secretary, in addition to fulfilling other eligibility requirements. For example, accreditation by a nationally recognized institutional accrediting agency enables the institutions it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in the Federal student financial assistance programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

The commissions of the institutional (regional and national) accrediting agencies that are recognized by the Secretary have no legal control over educational institutions or programs. They promulgate standards of quality or criteria of institutional excellence and approve or renew membership of those institutions that apply for meet their accreditation and standards or criteria.

The Accrediting Agency Evaluation Unit

The Accrediting Agency Evaluation Unit has been established within the Department of Education to deal with accreditation matters. Located in the Office of Postsecondary Education, the Unit carries out the following major functions with respect to accreditation:

1. Conduct a continuous review of standards, policies, procedures, and issues in the area of the Department of Education's interests and responsibilities relative to accreditation;
2. Administer the process whereby accrediting agencies and State approval agencies secure initial and renewed recognition by the Secretary of Education;
3. Serve as the Department's liaison with accrediting agencies and State approval agencies;
4. Provide consultative services to institutions, associations, State agencies, other Federal agencies, and Congress regarding accreditation;
5. Interpret and disseminate policy relative to accreditation issues in the case of all appropriate programs administered by the Department of Education;
6. Conduct and stimulate appropriate research; and
7. Provide support for the Secretary's National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity.

The Recognition Process for Accrediting Agencies

The recognition procedures for accrediting agencies are set forth in subpart B of part 602. Other information related to an agency's application for recognition is provided below.

The Application for Recognition

Accrediting agencies desiring to be recognized by the Secretary of Education must apply for recognition and must demonstrate their compliance with the Criteria for Secretarial Recognition (34 CFR Part 602). An agency's application for recognition generally consists of a statement of the agency's requested scope of recognition, evidence of the agency's compliance with the criteria for recognition set forth in part 602, and supporting documentation.

There is no standard application form to be used by agencies applying for recognition. Rather, an agency's application for initial recognition or renewal of recognition consists of a narrative statement, organized on a criterion-by-criterion basis, showing how the agency complies with the Criteria for Secretarial Recognition. For many recognition requirements, the narrative statement need consist only of a brief narrative demonstrating how that the agency complies with a particular requirement. This statement must, however, be accompanied by clearly referenced supporting documentation demonstrating that the agency meets the requirement. For example, Section 602.15(a)(6) of the regulations requires an agency to have clear and effective controls against conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest by the agency's board members, commissioners, evaluation team members, consultants, administrative staff, and other agency representatives. The agency's narrative statement addressing this issue might simply be a statement that the agency's policies against conflicts of interest may be found in a particular policy document. The agency would have to submit a copy of that document and identify the pages on which the relevant policies were located. The agency might also choose to include a copy of the minutes of a meeting at which an agency representative abstained from voting because of a conflict of interest to demonstrate that it adheres to its written policies.

For other recognition requirements, because of their nature, the brief narrative statement, with supporting documentation, is insufficient to demonstrate compliance. In these cases, the agency's narrative statement should provide sufficient information to demonstrate that the agency's policies, standards, procedures, and practices comply with the requirement. For example, Section 602.21 of the regulations requires that an agency maintain a program of review designed to ensure that its criteria and standards are valid and reliable indicators of the quality of the education or training provided and are relevant to the education or training needs of affected students. As this requirement is fundamental to sound accreditation practices, the agency's narrative statement would have to describe in depth the processes the agency uses to review and update its criteria and standards, the tests it uses to determine their adequacy and relevance in evaluating educational quality, as well as the results of those tests, and how it determines they are relevant to the needs of affected students. The agency would also have to provide relevant supporting documentation, such as policy statements pertaining to its review program for validating and updating its standards, surveys and the results of those surveys, the constituencies involved in the review process, etc. The agency's statement and documentation would need to establish that the program of review is comprehensive; occurs at regular, yet reasonable, intervals or on an ongoing basis; examines each of the agency's standards and the standards as a whole; and involves all of the agency's relevant constituencies in the review, affording them a meaningful opportunity to provide input. The agency would also need to establish that it has the requisite procedures in place for timely changing its standards in response to the results of the review.

If an agency's application for recognition does not make specific reference to the following documents and does not include them as supporting documentation for one or more of the recognition requirements, the agency must include them as additional supporting documentation:

The agency's accreditation standards and procedures

The agency's policies and procedures

The agency's most recent externally audited financial statement

Published lists of accredited schools or programs

Self-study guidelines

Guidance aid training materials for visiting team members

Sample completed self-study reports

Sample site visit reports

Sample institution responses to site visit reports

Sample minutes of decision meetings

A list of all complaints received by the agency against an accredited program during the six-month period immediately preceding the agency's submission of its application for recognition, together with a summary of the issues involved in each complaint, the agency's disposition of that complaint, and the current status of the complaint, if it is not resolved by the time the agency submits its application

The agency's constitution and by-laws.

Note: it would be helpful if the samples provided by an agency for items 7-10 above referred to the same institution(s) or program(s).

Copies of the Application

An agency's application for recognition plus three copies should be submitted to the Accrediting Agency Evaluation unit (AAE) at the address below. Only the original of bulkier exhibit items, such as self-study reports or team reports, need to be submitted with the petition; there is no need for three copies of these items.

Accrediting Agency Evaluation
Accreditation and State Liaison
U.S. Department of Education
1990 K Street, NW, #7105
Washington, DC 20006-8509
Telephone: (202) 219-7011

Time Frame for Submission of an Application

Application for Initial Recognition

AAE accepts applications for initial recognition at any time. To receive consideration at a particular meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, an agency seeking initial recognition must submit its application at least six months in advance of that meeting. Consideration of the agency's application at the first Advisory Committee meeting that occurs after the six-month time frame is not guaranteed, however, as Department staff may need more time to complete its independent evaluation of the agency and to observe at least some of the agency's site visits and decision meetings, as required by Section 602.31(b)of the regulations.

An agency considering applying for initial recognition is encouraged to contact AAE as early as possible to discuss its possible application and to afford Department staff the opportunity to observe its site visits and decision meetings. Because observation of an agency's site visits and decision meetings by Department staff is a critical component of the review of the agency's application, it is imperative that an agency seeking initial recognition submit a list of scheduled site visits and decision meetings with its application for recognition. If an agency does not provide Department staff with an opportunity to observe an adequate number of site visits and decision meetings (typically 2-3 of each) before the Advisory Committee meeting at which the agency requests consideration of its application, Department staff may recommend that the agency's application be denied.

Agencies seeking initial recognition are reminded that recognition by the Secretary is not a prerequisite for an agency to function as an accrediting body, i.e., an agency does not have to obtain recognition before it begins to accredit institutions or programs. Rather, recognition is granted by the Secretary to an agency that meets certain Federal eligibility requirements and can demonstrate compliance with all of the criteria for recognition, establishing through its accrediting actions and decisions that it is a reliable authority regarding the quality of education offered by the institutions or programs it accredits. In general, a new accrediting agency will need to have had at least two years' experience functioning as an accrediting agency - establishing standards, evaluating institutions or programs for compliance with those standards, and making accrediting decisions based on those standards - before it submits its application for recognition. In addition, a new agency will need to be mindful of the recognition criterion requiring it to establish that it has gained wide acceptance of its standards, methods of evaluation, and accreditation decisions, as required by Section 602.13 of the regulations. Department staff will also consider whether the new agency has been organized under conditions that reasonably ensure its stability and permanence.

Application for Continued Recognition

Agencies that have been granted recognition by the Secretary are notified by the Secretary, each time recognition is granted or renewed, of the expiration date of their recognition period. They should plan to submit their application for renewal of recognition approximately six months in advance of the spring or fall meeting of the Advisory Committee that precedes the expiration date. AAE usually notifies agencies a year in advance of the Advisory Committee meeting at which their renewal application is to be considered and informs them of the date by which their application is due to AAE. In the same notice, AAE also requests a schedule of the agencies' site visits and decision meetings for the upcoming year in order to plan its observation of at least some of those activities, as required by Section 602.31(b) of the regulations.

Hearing Before the Advisory Committee

When Department staff completes its evaluation of an agency's application for recognition, the agency's application is placed on the meeting agenda of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. In preparation for the meeting, the Advisory Committee is provided with the accrediting agency's application and supporting documentation, the Department staff analysis of the application, all information relied upon by Department staff in developing the analysis, any response by the agency to the analysis or third-party comment, any Department concurrence with or rebuttal to the agency's response, and any third-party information the Secretary receives regarding the agency.

The Advisory Committee meets at least twice a year to review applications for recognition submitted by accrediting agencies. The usual times for the Committee meetings are spring (May-June) and fall (November-December). Although each member of the Advisory Committee receives every Department staff analysis of an application for recognition and all the other materials mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the Executive Director of the Advisory Committee usually assigns two or more Committee members to serve as principal readers for each application.

An agency that applies for recognition is invited to make an oral presentation before the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee also hears oral presentations from Department staff and from third parties who request to be heard.

The Advisory Committee conducts its business in public, and a transcript of the proceedings is made. After each meeting, the Advisory Committee's recommendations concerning recognition are forwarded to the Secretary, who makes the final determination regarding recognition.  An appeal process is available to any agency that disagrees with the Advisory Committee's recommendation on the agency's application.

Expansion of Scope

An application for expansion of an agency's scope of recognition may be included as an integral part of an application for renewal of recognition or it may be submitted separately. If expansion of scope is sought prior to the agency's next regularly scheduled review, agency personnel should consult with AAE staff concerning the application format.

The Department of Education is making available a searchable database of postsecondary institutions and programs accredited by accrediting agencies or state approval agencies recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. This database includes approximately 6,900 postsecondary educational institutions and programs.

The U.S. Secretary of Education recognizes those agencies determined to be reliable authorities as to the quality of education or training provided by the institutions of higher education and the higher education programs they accredit. Accreditation of an institution or program by a recognized accrediting agency provides a reasonable assurance of quality and acceptance by employers of diplomas and degrees.

The Department believes that the list will be a helpful tool for employers evaluating education credentials and for consumers making decisions about postsecondary institutions to attend. Consumers are encouraged to do additional research on institutions before making a selection of a school, checking, for example, on the transferability of credits between institutions, the availability of financial aid, etc.

The database does not include a number of postsecondary educational institutions and programs that elect not to seek accreditation but nevertheless may provide a quality postsecondary education. The U.S. Department of Education recommends that the database be used as one source of qualitative information and that additional sources of qualitative information be consulted. Other sources of reputable qualitative information include the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), a nongovernmental higher education organization that scrutinizes the quality of a universe of accrediting agencies. More information on CHEA as well as other sources of information for use in researching postsecondary institutions may be found at the Web site on diploma mills and accreditation.

Postsecondary Educational Institutions and Programs Accredited by Accrediting Agencies and State Approval Agencies Recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education

United States Department of Education

Office of Postsecondary Education
Accreditation and State Liaison

October 5, 2004

Dear Colleague:

In keeping with Goal Five of the President's Management Agenda -- expanded e-government -- the Accreditation and State Liaison (ASL) staff has undertaken a project to leverage information technology to more efficiently perform our business functions and to improve service for our customers and partners. During the past year and with the help of a consulting team, ASL applied business process mapping and analysis to the existing Secretarial recognition process. This analysis resulted in recommendations for the sweeping transformation of the process from a paper-driven process to an electronic submission and review process utilizing the Internet.

A new Web site currently under development will greatly reduce the effort required to submit and process documents. Some of the features of the new protocol will enable agencies to:

• Easily upload petition narratives and supporting documents directly to the new Web site,
• Indicate which of the Secretary's Criteria for Recognition each document addresses,
• Enter a brief response to each criterion,
• Review documents before opting to submit them,
• Update ASL's records with the current agency contact, telephone and email information, and
• Submit additional documents, upon request.

While we are confident that the changes will significantly improve the submission and review process, we will also be soliciting your input as we move through development. Additional details will be provided in early November.

The new e-petition submission process is on a fast track with implementation slated for early 2005. Accrediting agencies submitting full petitions and interim reports in June 2005 for review by the Secretary's National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) at its December 2005 meeting will be the first to submit under this e-petition process. To assist with the transition to electronic submission, we will provide instructional materials and technical (helpdesk) support.

I have asked Carol Griffiths to oversee this project. She can be reached by telephone at 202-219-7035 or by email at Carol.Griffiths@ed.gov.

Sincerely,

/s/

John W. Barth, Director
Accreditation and State Liaison

The regional and national accrediting agencies linked to below are recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as reliable authorities concerning the quality of education or training offered by the institutions of higher education or higher education programs they accredit. The dates specified for each entry are the date of initial listing as a nationally recognized agency, the date of the Secretary's most recent grant of renewed recognition, and the date of the agency's next scheduled review for renewal of recognition by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. Unless otherwise noted in a Title IV note after the agency's name, accreditation by an agency included on the lists linked to below may be used by an institution accredited by the agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

(Note: S = Spring meeting and F = Fall meeting)

• Regional Institutional Accrediting Agencies
• National Institutional and Specialized Accrediting Bodies

• Accrediting Agencies Recognized for Their Preaccreditation Categories
• Accrediting Agencies Recognized for Title IV Purposes

The dates specified for each entry are the date of initial listing as a recognized agency, the date of the Secretary's most recent grant of renewed recognition, and the date of the agency's next scheduled review for renewal of recognition by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. (Note: S = Spring meeting and F =Fall meeting.)

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education
1952/2002/S2007
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidacy status") of institutions of higher education in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including distance education programs offered at those institutions.

Jean Avnet Morse, Executive Director
3624 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
Tel. (267) 284-5000, Fax (215) 662-5950
E-mail address: info@msche.org
Web address: www.msche.org

Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools
2004/2004/S2006
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of institutions with postsecondary, non-degree granting career and technology programs in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Title IV Note:Only those vocational/technical schools accredited by this agency that offer non-degree, postsecondary education may use that accreditation to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Henry Cram, Executive Director
3624 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-2680
Tel. (215) 662-5603, Fax (215) 662-0957
E-mail address: kkastle@css-msa.org
Web address: www.css-msa.org

New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
1952/2002/F2007
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidacy status") of institutions of higher education in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont that award bachelor's, master's, and/or doctoral degrees and associate degree-granting institutions in those states that include degrees in liberal arts or general studies among their offerings, including the accreditation of programs offered via distance education within these institutions. This recognition extends to the Board of Trustees of the Association jointly with the Commission for decisions involving preaccreditation, initial accreditation, and adverse actions.

Barbara E. Brittingham, Director
209 Burlington Road
Bedford, Massachusetts 01730-1433
Tel. (781) 271-0022, Fax (781) 271-0950
E-mail address:bbrittingham@neasc.org
Web address: www.neasc.org

New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Technical and Career Institutions
1952/2005/S2007
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidate status") of secondary institutions with vocational-technical programs at the 13th and 14th grade level, postsecondary institutions, and institutions of higher education that provide primarily vocational/technical education at the certificate, associate, and baccalaureate degree levels in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. This recognition extends to the Board of Trustees of the Association jointly with the Commission for decisions involving preaccreditation, initial accreditation, and adverse actions.

Title IV Note: Any vocational/technical schools accredited by this agency that offer non-degree, postsecondary education and that wish to use that accreditation to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs must be accredited by the agency as offering education through the 13th or 14th grade level.

Paul Bento, Director
209 Burlington Road
Bedford, Massachusetts 01730-1433
Tel. (781) 541-5416, Fax (781) 271-0950
E-mail address: pbento@neasc.org
Web address: www.neasc.org

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
1952/2002/F2007
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidate for Accreditation") of degree-granting institutions of higher education in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, including schools of the Navajo Nation and the accreditation of programs offered via distance education within these institutions. This recognition extends to the Institutional Actions Committee jointly with the Board of Trustees of the Commission for decisions on cases for continued accreditation or reaffirmation, and continued candidacy. This recognition also extends to the Review Committee of the Accreditation Review Council jointly with the Board of Trustees of the Commission for decisions on cases for continued accreditation or candidacy and for initial candidacy or initial accreditation when there is a consensus decision by the Review Committee.

Steven D. Crow, Executive Director
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Tel. (312) 263-0456, (800) 621-7440, Fax (312) 263-7462
E-mail address: scrow@hlcommission.org
Web address: www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org

North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, Board of Trustees
1974/2001/F2003
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidacy status") of schools offering non-degree, postsecondary education in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and in the Navajo Nation.

Title IV Note:Only those vocational/technical schools accredited by this agency that offer non-degree, postsecondary education may use that accreditation to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Kenneth F. Gose, Executive Director
Arizona State University
7665 S. Research Drive
P.O. Box 871008
Tempe, Arizona 85287-1008
Tel. (800) 525-9517, (480) 773-6900, Fax (480) 773-6901
E-mail address: nca@ncacasi.org
Web address: www.ncacasi.org

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
1952/2002/F2007
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidacy status") of postsecondary educational institutions in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington and the accreditation of such programs offered via distance education within these institutions.

Sandra E. Elman, President
8060 165th Avenue, NE, Suite 100
Redmond, Washington 98052
Tel. (425) 558-4224, Fax (425) 376-0596
E-mail address: selman@nwccu.org
Web address: www.nwccu.org

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
1952/2001/S2006
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidate for Accreditation") of degree-granting institutions of higher education in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, including distance education programs offered at those institutions.

Belle S. Wheelan, President
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097
Tel. (404) 679-4512, Fax (404) 679-4558
E-mail address: bwheelan@sacscoc.org
Web address: www.sacs.org

Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
1952/2002/F2007
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidate for Accreditation") of community and junior colleges located in California, Hawaii, the United States territories of Guam and American Samoa, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the accreditation of such programs offered via distance education at these colleges.

Barbara A. Beno, President
10 Commercial Boulevard, Suite 204
Novato, California 94949
Tel. (415) 506-0234, Fax (415) 506-0238
E-mail address: accjc@accjc.org
Web address: www.wascweb.org

Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Schools
1974/2005/F2008
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidate for Accreditation") of adult and postsecondary schools that offer programs below the degree level in California, Hawaii, the United States territories of Guam and American Samoa, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Title IV Note: Only adult and postsecondary schools accredited by this agency that offer postsecondary programs below the degree level may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

David E. Brown, Executive Director
533 Airport Boulevard, Suite 200
Burlingame, California 94010
Tel. (650) 696-1060, Fax (650) 696-1867
E-mail address: mail@acswasc.org
Web address: www.wascweb.org

Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities
1952/2001/S2006
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidate for Accreditation") of senior colleges and universities in California, Hawaii, the United States territories of Guam and American Samoa, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, including distance education programs offered at those institutions.

Ralph Wolff
President and Executive Director
985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100
Alameda, California 94501
Tel. (510) 748-9001, Fax (510) 748-9797
E-mail address: wascsr@wascsenior.org
Web address: www.wascweb.org

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine | Allied Health | Art and Design | Bible College Education | Business | Chiropractic | Christian Education | Continuing Education | Cosmetology | Dance | Dental and Dental Auxiliary Programs | Dietetics | Distance Education and Training | | English Language Programs | Funeral Services Education | Health Services Administration | Law | Liberal Education | Marriage and Family Therapy | Massage Therapy | Medicine | Midwifery Education | Montessori Teacher Education | Music | Naturopathic Medicine | Nuclear Medicine Technology | Nurse Anesthesia | Nurse Midwifery | Nurse Practitioners | Nursing | Occupational Education | Occupational Therapy | Opticianry | Optometry | Oriental Medicine | Osteopathic Medicine | Pastoral Education | Pharmacy | Physical Therapy | Podiatry | Psychology | Public Health | Rabbinical and Talmudic Education | Radiologic Technology | Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology | Teacher Education | Theater | Theology | Veterinary Medicine | Other

The dates specified for each entry are the date of initial listing as a recognized agency, the date of the Secretary's most recent grant of renewed recognition, and the date of the agency's next scheduled review for renewal of recognition by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. (Note: S = Spring meeting and F = Fall meeting)

ACUPUNCTURE AND ORIENTAL MEDICINE

Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
1988/2005/F2010
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidacy" status) throughout the United States of first-professional master's degree and professional master's level certificate and diploma programs in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, as well as freestanding institutions and colleges of acupuncture or Oriental medicine that offer such programs.

Title IV Note: Only freestanding institutions or colleges of acupuncture or Oriental medicine may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Dort S. Bigg, Executive Director 
Maryland Trade Center 3 
7501 Greenway Center Drive, Suite 820
Greenbelt, MD 20770
Tel. (301) 313-0855, Fax (301) 313-0912
E-mail address: ACAOM1@compuserve.com
Web address: www.acaom.org

ALLIED HEALTH

Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
1969/2004/F2009
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of private, postsecondary institutions in the United States offering predominantly allied health education programs and the programmatic accreditation of medical assistant, medical laboratory technician and surgical technology programs, leading to a certificate, diploma, or the Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Occupational Science degrees.

Title IV Note: Only freestanding allied health education institutions and institutions that offer predominantly allied health programs may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Carol Moneymaker, Executive Director
7777 Leesburg Pike, Suite 314N
Falls Church, Virginia 22043
Tel. (703) 917-9503, Fax (703) 917-4109
E-mail address: CMoneymaker@abhes.org
Web address: www.abhes.org

ART AND DESIGN

National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation
1966/2002/F2007
Scope of recognition: the accreditation throughout the United States of institutions and units within institutions offering degree-granting and non-degree-granting programs in art and design and art and design-related disciplines.

Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of art and design may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Samuel Hope, Executive Director
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston, Virginia 20190
Tel. (703) 437-0700, Fax (703) 437-6312
E-mail address: info@arts-accredit.org
Web address: www.arts-accredit.org

BIBLE COLLEGE EDUCATION

Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation
1952/2001/F2006
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidate for Accreditation") of Bible colleges and institutes in the United States offering undergraduate programs.

Ralph E. Enlow, Jr, Interim Executive Director
5575 S. Semoran Boulevard, Suite 26
Orlando, Florida 32822-1781
Tel. (407) 207-0808, Fax (407) 207-0840
E-mail address: renlow@abhe.org
Web address: abhe.gospelcom.net

BUSINESS

Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
1956/2001/S2006
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of private postsecondary institutions offering certificates or diplomas and postsecondary institutions offering associate's, bachelor's, or master's degrees in programs that are designed to train and educate persons for careers or professions where business applications or doctrines, supervisory or management techniques, professional or paraprofessional applications, and other business-related applications support or constitute the career.

Title IV Note: The only institutions preaccredited by this agency that may use that preaccreditation to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs are private, non-profit junior and senior colleges of business and private, non-profit freestanding institutions offering only graduate business and business-related programs at the master's degree level.

Sheryl L. Moody, Executive Director
750 First Street, NE, Suite 980
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Tel. (202) 336-6780, Fax (202) 842-2593
E-mail address: smoody@acics.org
Web address: www.acics.org

CHIROPRACTIC

The Council on Chiropractic Education, Commission on Accreditation
1974/2001/S2006
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of programs leading to the Doctor of Chiropractic degree and single-purpose institutions offering the Doctor of Chiropractic program.

Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of chiropractic may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Martha S. O'Connor, Executive Director
8049 N. 85th Way
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-4321
Tel. (480) 443-8877, Fax (480) 483-7333
E-mail address: cce@cce-usa.org
Web address: www.cce-usa.org

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission
1991/2004/F2009
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidate" status) of postsecondary institutions in the United States that offer certificates, diplomas, and associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees, including institutions that offer distance education.

Russell Guy Fitzgerald, Jr., Executive Director
P.O. Box 328
Forest, Virginia 24551
Tel. (434) 525-9539, Fax (434) 525-9538
E-mail address: rfitzgerald@tracs.org
Web address: www.tracs.org

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training
1978/2002/F2007
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of institutions of higher education throughout the United States that offer non-collegiate continuing education programs and those that offer occupational associate degree programs and those that offer such programs via distance education.

Title IV Note: Only those institutions classified by this agency as "vocational " may use accreditation by the agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Roger J. Williams, Executive Director
1722 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 955-1113, Fax (202) 955-1118
E-mail address: rjwilliams@accet.org
Web address: www.accet.org

COSMETOLOGY

National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences
1970/2000/F2004
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of postsecondary schools and departments of cosmetology arts and sciences and massage therapy.

Christopher Walck,
Executive Director
4401 Ford Avenue, Suite 1300
Arlington, Virginia 22303
Tel. (703) 600-7600, Fax (703) 379-2200
E-mail address: cwalck@naccas.org
Web address: www.naccas.org

DANCE

National Association of Schools of Dance, Commission on Accreditation
1983/2002/F2007
Scope of recognition: the accreditation throughout the United States of institutions, and units within institutions offering, degree-granting and non-degree-granting programs in dance and dance-related disciplines.

Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of dance may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Samuel Hope, Executive Director
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston, Virginia 20190
Tel. (703) 437-0700, Fax (703) 437-6312
E-mail address: info@arts-accredit.org
Web address: www.arts-accredit.org

DENTAL AND DENTAL AUXILIARY PROGRAMS

American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation
1952/2001/S2006
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of predoctoral dental education programs (leading to the D.D.S or D.M.D degree); advanced dental education programs and allied dental education programs that are fully operational or have attained "accreditation eligible" status, and for its accreditation of programs offered via distance education.

Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

David M. Preble
Director, Commission on Dental Accreditation
American Dental Association
211 East Chicago Avenue, 18th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Tel. (312) 440-2500, (800) 621-8099, Fax (312) 440-2915
E-mail address: prebled@ada.org
Web address: www.ada.org

DIETETICS

American Dietetic Association, Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education
1974/2002/S2007
Scope of recognition: the accreditation within the United States of Didactic and Coordinated Programs in Dietetics at both the undergraduate and graduate level, postbaccalaureate Dietetic Internships, and Dietetic Technician Programs at the associate degree level and for its accreditation of such programs offered via distance education.

Title IV Note: Only postbaccalaureate dietetic internship programs may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Beverly E. Mitchell, Director
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
Tel. (312) 899-4872, Fax (312) 899-4817
E-mail address: bmitchell@eatright.org
Web address: www.eatright.org/cade

DISTANCE EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Distance Education and Training Council, Accrediting Commission
1959/2001/F2006
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of postsecondary institutions in the United States that offer degree programs primarily by the distance education method up through the first professional degree level, and are specifically certified by the agency as accredited for Title IV purposes; and the accreditation of postsecondary institutions in the United States not participating in Title IV that offer programs primarily by the distance education method up through the first professional degree level.

Title IV Note: The agency limits accreditation for Title IV purposes to degree-granting institutions.

Michael P. Lambert, Executive Director
1601 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Tel. (202) 234-5100, Fax (202) 332-1386
E-mail address: Detc@detc.org
Web address:www.detc.org

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM

Commission on English Language Program Accreditation
2003/2005/S2010
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of postsecondary, non-degree-granting English language programs and institutions in the United States.

Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Teresa D. O'Donnell, Executive Director
1725 Duke Street, Suite 500
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3457
Tel. (703) 519-2070, Fax (703)683-8099
E-mail address: todonnell@cea-accredit.org
Web address:www.cea-accredit.org

FUNERAL SERVICE EDUCATION

American Board of Funeral Service Education, Committee on Accreditation
1972/2002/S2007
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of institutions and programs within the United States awarding diplomas, associate degrees and bachelor's degrees in funeral service or mortuary science.

Title IV Note: Only freestanding schools or colleges of funeral service or mortuary science may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Michael Smith, Executive Director
3432 Ashland Avenue, Suite U
St. Joseph, Missouri 64506
Tel. (816) 233-3747, Fax (816) 233-3793
E-mail address: exdir@abfse.org
Web address: www.abfse.org

HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

Commission on Acceditation of Healthcare Management Education
1970/2002/S2007
Scope of recognition: the accreditation throughout the United States of graduate programs in health services administration.

Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Pamela S. Jenness
Director of Accreditation Operations
2000 14th Street North, Suite 780
Arlington, Virginia 22201
Tel. (703) 894-0960, Fax (703) 894-0941
E-mail address: pjenness@cahmeweb.org
Web address: www.cahmeweb.org

LAW

American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar
1952/2001/F2005
Scope of recognition: the accreditation throughout the United States of programs in legal education that lead to the first professional degree in law, as well as freestanding law schools offering such programs.

Title IV Note: Only freestanding law schools may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Hulett H. Askew
Consultant on Legal Education, ABA
321 North Clark Street, 21st Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60610-4714
Tel. (312) 988-6746, Fax (312) 988-5681
E-mail address: askewh@staff.abanet.org
Web address: www.abanet.org/legaled/

LIBERAL EDUCATION

American Academy for Liberal Education
1995/2001/F2006
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidacy for Accreditation") of institutions of higher education and programs within institutions of higher education throughout the United States that offer liberal arts degree(s) at the baccalaureate level or a documented equivalency.

Title IV Note: Only institutions of higher education accredited by this agency may use that accreditation to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Jeffrey D. Wallin, President
1050 17th Street, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
Tel (202) 452-8611, Fax (202) 452-8620
E-mail address: jwallin@aale.org
Web address:www.aale.org

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education
1978/2005/F2008
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidacy") throughout the United States of clinical training programs in marriage and family therapy at the master's, doctoral, and postgraduate levels.

Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Jeff S. Harmon
Director of Accreditation Services
112 South Alfred Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3061
Tel. (703) 253-0459, Fax (703) 253-0508
E-mail address: jharmon@aamft.org
Web address: www.aamft.org

MASSAGE THERAPY

Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation
2002/2004/S2009
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of institutions in the United States, that award postsecondary certificates, postsecondary diplomas, and academic Associate degrees, in the practice of massage therapy and bodywork.

Steve Fridley
Executive Director
Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation
1007 Church Street, Suite 302
Evanston, Illinois 60201
Tel. (847) 869-5039, Fax (847) 869-6739
E-mail address: stevefridley@comta.org
Web address: www.comta.org

MEDICINE

Liaison Committee on Medical Education
1952/2002/S2007
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of medical education programs within the United States leading to the M.D. degree.

Title IV Note: Accreditation by this agency does not enable the entities it accredits to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

The LCME is administered in odd-numbered years, beginning each July 1, by:

Frank A. Simon, Secretary
Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association
515 North State Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610
Tel. (312) 464-4657, Fax (312) 464-5830
E-mail address: frank_simon@ama-assn.org
Web address: www.ama-assn.org

The LCME is administered in even-numbered years, beginning each July 1, by:
Robert H. Eaglen, Interim Secretary
Association of American Medical Colleges
2450 N Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20037
Tel. (202) 828-0596, Fax (202) 828-1125
E-mail address: reaglen@aamc.org
Web address: www.lcme.org

MIDWIFERY EDUCATION

Midwifery Education Accreditation Council
2001/2002/F2007
Scope of recognition: the accreditation throughout the United States of direct-entry midwifery educational institutions and programs conferring degrees and certificates, including the accreditation of such programs offered via distance education.

Title IV Note: Only freestanding direct-entry midwifery educational institutions may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

Mary Ann Baul, Executive Director
20 E. Cherry Avenue
Flagstaff, Arizona 86001-4607
Tel. (928) 214-0997, Fax (928) 773-9694
E-mail address: info@meacschools.org
Web address: www.meacschools.org

MONTESSORI TEACHER EDUCATION

Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education, Commission on Accreditation
1995/2003/S2008
Scope of recognition: The accreditation of Montessori teacher education institutions and programs throughout the United States.

Title IV Note: Only freestanding Montessori teacher education schools may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs. Further, that accreditation must have been granted in conjunction with the accrediting activities of the review committees listed above.

Gretchen Warner, Executive Director
Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education
524 Main Street, Suite 202
Racine, Wisconsin 53403
Tel. (262) 898-1846, (888) 446-2283, Fax (262) 898-1849
E-mail address: