ERIC ED544331: Accrediting Organizations in the United States: How Do They Operate to Assure Quality? Fact Sheet #5

by: ERIC

Publication date: 2006-04

Topics: ERIC Archive, Accreditation (Institutions), Colleges, Standards, Educational Policy, Disclosure, Higher Education, College Administration, College Faculty,

Collection: ericarchive; additional_collections

Language: English

Accreditation is the primary means by which the quality of higher education institutions and programs is assured in the United States. Accreditation is a form of self-regulation in which colleges, universities and programs have come together to develop standards, policies and procedures for self-examination and judgment by peers. In 2005, approximately 7,000 institutions and 18,000 programs held accredited status. This Fact Sheet presents information on accredited organizations in the United States and how they operate to assure quality. Responses to the following questions are highlighted: (1) What institutions and programs are accredited? (2) What are the standards and policies used by these organizations to make judgements about quality? (3) What additional information do accrediting organizations make available? and (4) How do accrediting organizations operate? [This Fact Sheet updates and expands the May 2003 Fact Sheet #5 (ED467773).]