Analytic Quality Glossary

 

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

 

Citation reference: Harvey, L., 2004, Analytic Quality Glossary, Quality Research International, http://www.qualityresearchinternational.com/glossary/

This is a dynamic glossary and the author would welcome any e-mail suggestions for amendments or additions.

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Institutional accreditation

 

core definition

Institutional accreditation provides a licence for a university or college to operate.

 

explanatory context

This operates mostly in areas where there is a mixture of public and private higher education provision.

 

analytical review

For Vlăsceanu, et al., (2004, p. 20):

The terms refer to the accreditation of the whole institution, including all its programmes, sites, and methods of delivery, without any implication as to the quality of the study programmes of the institution.

 

Accreditation is usually based on an evaluation of whether the institution meets specified minimum (input) standards such as staff qualifications, research activities, student intake and learning resources. It might also be based on an estimation of the potential for the institution to produce graduates that meet explicit or implicit academic standard or professional competence (Harvey, 2004).

 

As CHEA notes, in some countries (such as South Africa and the United States), ‘accreditation conveys institutional authority to offer specific programs’ (CHEA, 2001). This is the case  in South Africa, for example (CHEA, 2001). Institutional accreditation or re-accreditation, in Europe for example, is usually undertaken by national bodies either government departments or government-initiated agencies or quangos that make formal judgements on recognition. In the United States, with a large private sector, accreditation is a self-regulatory process of recognition of institutional viability by non-governmental voluntary associations. However, despite the voluntary nature of the process, there has been a funding link through eligibility for federal aid.

Accreditation [in the US] is a voluntary process. Institutions choose to apply for accredited status. Once accredited, they agree to abide by the standards of their accrediting organization and to regulate themselves by taking responsibility for their own improvement. In addition, the federal government requires that an institution be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting organization in order for its students to be eligible to participate in the Student Assistance Programs in Title IV of the Higher Education Act, as amended (HEA). (MSCHE, 2003)

 

 

associated issues

 

 

related terms

see also:

accreditation

accreditation body

programme accreditation

regional accreditation

specialized accreditation

accreditation status

re-accreditation

accreditation survey

accreditation portfolio

accreditation status

duration of accreditation

 

sources

Council For Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) 2001, Glossary of Key Terms in Quality Assurance and Accreditation, http://www.chea.org/international/inter_glossary01.html, updated  8 May 2001.

Harvey, L2004, Rome.

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), 2003, Frequently Asked Questions: What is accreditation?  http://www.msache.org/

Vlăsceanu, L., Grünberg, L., and Pârlea, D., 2004, Quality Assurance and Accreditation: A Glossary of Basic Terms and Definitions (Bucharest, UNESCO-CEPES) Papers on Higher Education, ISBN 92-9069-178-6. http://www.cepes.ro/publications/Default.htm