Foreword

Introduction and General Information

Preface

Institutional
Specialized

Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges

Commission on Colleges
Definition of Institutional Accreditation

Accreditation Procedural Guide

Eligibility Requirements for Candidates for Accreditation and

Accredited Postsecondary Institutions

Candidate for Accreditation

Introduction
Application for Consideration
Self-Study and Evaluation Committee Visit for Candidacy
Evaluation Committee Visit
Commission Procedures
Withdrawal
Reconsideration
Terms of Agreement
Loss of Candidate Status

Institutional Commitment and Responsibilities in the Accreditation Process

Institutional Compliance with the Higher Education Reauthorization Act

Overview of Evaluation Process

Institutional Self-Study

General Discussion
Nature and Organization
Self-Study Steering Committee
Development of the Report
Supporting Documents
Joint or Concurrent Visit
Process Summary

Evaluation Committee

Function
Committee Make-Up
Dates
Report.
Accreditation of New Members
Reaffirmation of Accreditation

Commission Decisions on Institutions

Reapplication for Accreditation

Membership Dues

Annual Report

Costs of Evaluation

Full-Scale Evaluation Expenses
Fee Schedule
Billing
Interim Evaluation Expenses

Communications with the Commission on Colleges

Commission Responsibilities in the Accreditation Process

National Recognition of Accrediting Agencies and Associations
Relationship with the U. S. Department of Education
Actions of State Agencies and Other Accrediting Bodies
Unannounced Evaluations
Retention of Records

Standards and Guide for Self-study

Introduction to the Standards and Their Use in Self-Study

Format of the Standards
Self-Study, Supporting Documentation, and Accreditation Policies

Standard One - Institutional Mission and Goals, Planning and Effectiveness

1.A - Mission and Goals
1.B - Planning and Effectiveness
Supporting Documentation for Standard One

Standard Two - Educational Program And Its Effectiveness

2.A - General Requirements
2.B - Educational Program Planning and Assessment
2.C - Undergraduate Program
2.D - Graduate Program
2.E - Graduate Faculty and Related Resources
2.F - Graduate Records and Academic Credit
2.G - Continuing Education and Special Learning Activities
Off-Campus and Other Special Programs Providing Academic Credit
2.H - Non-credit Programs and Courses
2.1 Policy on General Education/Related Instruction Requirements
2.2 Policy on Educational Assessment
2.3 Policy on Credit for Prior Experiential Learning
2.4 Policy on Study Abroad Programs
2.5 Policy on Transfer and Award of Academic Credit
2.6 Policy on Distance Delivery of Courses, Certificate, and Degree Programs
Supporting Documentation for Standard Two

Standard Three - Students

3.A - Purpose and Organization
3.B - General Responsibilities
3.C - Academic Credit and Records
3.D - Student Services
3.E - Intercollegiate Athletics
3.1 Policy on Institutional Advertising, Student Recruitment, and
Representation of Accredited Status
Supporting Documentation for Standard Three

Standard Four - Faculty

4.A - Faculty Selection, Evaluation, Roles, Welfare, and Development
4.B - Scholarship, Research, and Artistic Creation
4.1 Policy on Faculty Evaluation
Supporting Documentation for Standard Four

Standard Five - Library and Information Resources

5.A - Purpose and Scope
5.B - Information Resources and Services
5.C - Facilities and Access
5.D - Personnel and Management
5.E - Planning and Evaluation
Supporting Documentation for Standard Five

Standard Six - Governance and Administration

6.A - Governance System
6.B - Governing Board
6.C - Leadership and Management
6.D - Faculty Role in Governance
6.E - Student Role in Governance
6.1 Policy on Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination
6.2 Policy on Collective Bargaining
Supporting Documentation for Standard Six

Standard Seven - Finance

7.A Financial Planning
7.B Adequacy of Financial Resources
7.C. Financial Management
7.D Fundraising and Development
Supporting Documentation for Standard Seven

Standard Eight - Physical Resources

8.A - Instructional and Support Facilities
8.B - Equipment and Materials
8.C - Physical Resources Planning
Supporting Documentation for Standard Eight

Standard Nine - Institutional Integrity

9.1 Policy on Institutional Integrity
Supporting Documentation for Standard Nine

Accreditation Policies

Section A Specific Policies Relating to Institutional Accreditation

A-1 Accreditation Liaison Officer
A-2 Substantive Change
Examples of Major and Minor Substantive Changes
A-3 Disclosure of Accrediting Documents and Commission Actions
A-4 Conflict of Interest
A-5 Public Notification and Third Party Comments Regarding Full-Scale Evaluations
A-6 Contractual Relationships with Organizations Not Regionally Accredited
A-7 Principles of Good Practice in Educational Courses and Programs Offered Outside the United States
A-8 Principles and Practices Regarding Institutional Mission and Goals, Policies and Administration
A-9 Non-Credit, Extension, and Continuing Education Studies
A-10 Postsecondary Education Programs on Military Bases
A-11 Military-Sponsored Educational Programs
A-12 Considerations When Closing a Postsecondary Educational Institution
A-13 Teach-Out Agreements
A-14 Complaints Regarding Member or Candidate Institutions
A-15 Appeals Policy and Procedure
A-16 Communication of Commission Action Regarding Recommendations
A-17 Public Disclosure of Information Regarding Type of Accreditation Granted,
Criteria, Accreditation Procedures, Evaluation Schedule, and Commissioners and Commission Staff
A-18 Policy on Commission Action Regarding Institutional Compliance Within Specified Period
A-19 Policy on Publication of Adverse Actions
A-20 Policy on Notification to Appropriate Accrediting Agencies and State Agencies
Regarding Institutions' Accreditation

Section B Policies Relating to Institutional Accreditation

B-1 Role and Value of Accreditation
B-2 Periodic Review of Member Institutions
B-3 Code of Good Practice in Accrediting in Higher Education
B-4 Relationship Between General and Specialized Accrediting Agencies
B-5 Interagency Cooperation in Accreditation
B-6 Evaluation of Institutions Operating Interregionally
B-7 Accreditation of Operationally Separate Units
B-8 Dual Accreditation and Institutional Description
B-9 Training for New Commissioners
B-10 Policy on Selection and Representation of Commissioners and of Evaluation Committees
B-11 Notification to the United States Department of Education
B-12 Program Length and Tuition and Fees
B-13 Reviewing Accreditation Standards to Ascertain Their Validity and Reliability
B-14 Policy on Providing Advanced Public Notice of Proposed Accreditation Criteria to Member Institutions and Other Interested Parties
B-15 Policy on Dissemination of Commission's Directory of Accredited Institutions

Glossary

List of Tables