Guidelines for Good Practice

The AAAC has developed Guidelines for Good Practice in professional education accreditation. AAAC Members adhere to these Guidelines.

Date: April 2010
Revised: March 2015

• An accreditation process incorporates the principles of quality assurance and continuous improvement, which is transparent, fair and objective, and respects confidentiality.
• The purpose of the accreditation process is to evaluate the quality of academic programs and to promote their continuing improvement.
• The accreditation agency is autonomous from the educational program under accreditation review.
• The accreditation agency has representatives, and/or appointees, from relevant stakeholders.
• The accreditation agency administers its affairs with prudent fiscal and human resources management to ensure the accreditation process is effectively and consistently conducted.
• The accreditation review is held on site at the site(s) of the educational program under review and includes input from relevant stakeholders.
• Qualified reviewers, as defined by the accrediting agency, conduct the accreditation review.
• A mechanism for training reviewers is in place.
• Clear description of the accreditation process, including the goals and specific steps and actions to be taken by the parties to the process are in place.
• Time-defined accreditation status and requirements to maintain the status are available.
• Published recognition of accredited programs is in place.
• Accreditation standards that are grounded in principles of quality, equity, consistency and objectivity are in place.
• Standards must be published and should relate to the following:
  • Requirements of the educational institution;
  • Administrative structure of the educational program;
  • Goals and objectives of the educational program;
  • Expected outcomes of the educational program;
  • Requirements for financial, human, technical, learning and non-academic resources including the use of computer technology and social media;
  • Evaluation mechanisms of both students and programs.
• Appropriate procedure for the appeal of accreditation decisions is in place.
• A process for continuous improvement of the accreditation standards and process is in place.