AAC Quality Assurance FAQs

1. Is the Accreditation Agency of Curaçao (AAC) legitimate?

Yes. The Accreditation Agency of Curaçao (AAC) is an independent international quality assurance agency established in 2017 that conducts external academic quality reviews for higher education institutions and programs.

2. Is AAC a real accreditation body or a private company?

AAC is a private, independent quality assurance organization operating as an international accrediting agency, not a government authority.

3. Is AAC recognized by any international organizations?

AAC is an affiliate member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation International Quality Group (CHEA CIQG) and is associated with the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA).

4. Is AAC a diploma mill accreditor?

No. AAC applies a formal accreditation methodology that includes institutional governance review, academic standards, learner outcomes, and continuous quality improvement requirements.

5. Can AAC be trusted as an accrediting agency?

AAC’s credibility is based on transparent standards, external peer review, published accreditation procedures, and alignment with internationally recognized quality assurance principles.

6. Is AAC listed anywhere officially?

AAC is publicly listed through its affiliations (e.g., IAU World Higher Education Directory) and is referenced in international quality assurance contexts. Also, AAC is officially recognized by national authorities of Curacao and Anguilla.

7. How long has AAC been operating as an accreditor?

AAC was founded in 2017 and began active accreditation operations in 2023.

8. Who is behind AAC accreditation?

AAC operates as an independent organization governed by its accreditation framework, policies, and review procedures rather than by a single institution or government body.

9. Is AAC accreditation considered credible?

AAC accreditation is considered credible within its defined scope as an international, non-governmental quality assurance process focused on institutional improvement and accountability.

10. What kind of organization is AAC?

AAC is an international quality assurance and accreditation agency focused on higher education institutions and academic programs.

11. Is AAC accreditation recognized internationally?

AAC accreditation is internationally oriented but does not function as automatic legal recognition; acceptance depends on national regulations and institutional policies.

12. Is AAC accreditation recognized in Europe?

AAC accreditation is not equivalent to national European accreditation but may be considered as an external quality assurance reference by institutions and partners.

13. Is AAC accreditation recognized in the United States?

AAC is not a US federal or regional accreditor; however, it is affiliated with CHEA CIQG, which reflects alignment with international quality assurance practices.

14. Are AAC-accredited degrees accepted by universities?

Acceptance of AAC-accredited degrees depends on the receiving institution’s admission policies and national regulations.

15. Does AAC accreditation guarantee degree recognition?

No. AAC accreditation does not guarantee legal or automatic degree recognition by governments or institutions.

16. Can AAC-accredited institutions appear in international rankings?

International rankings determine their own inclusion criteria; AAC accreditation alone does not guarantee ranking eligibility.

17. Is AAC accreditation accepted for online and distance education?

AAC accreditation is designed to evaluate online, blended, and distance education models as part of its scope.

18. Does AAC accreditation replace national accreditation?

No. AAC accreditation does not replace national or statutory accreditation required by ministries of education.

19. How does AAC compare to national accreditation?

AAC provides international quality assurance review, while national accreditation is a legal authorization granted by government bodies.

20. How does AAC compare to US or European accreditors?

AAC operates internationally with an outcomes-based methodology, whereas US and European accreditors usually operate within specific regulatory systems.

21. Is AAC similar to CHEA-recognized accreditors?

AAC is affiliated with CHEA CIQG but is not a US regional or national accreditor recognized by the US Department of Education.

22. What is the difference between AAC and government accreditation bodies?

Government accreditation bodies grant legal authority, while AAC provides independent academic quality assurance and evaluation.

23. Is AAC an alternative accreditation agency?

AAC can be considered an alternative international quality assurance option for institutions that do not fit traditional national accreditation models.

24. Which accreditation agencies are similar to AAC?

AAC is comparable to other international, non-governmental quality assurance agencies operating outside national regulatory systems.

25. Who should choose AAC accreditation?

Institutions seeking structured international quality assurance rather than statutory authorization may consider AAC accreditation.

26. Is AAC suitable for online universities?

Yes. AAC explicitly evaluates online and blended education delivery models.

27. Is AAC suitable for emerging or private universities?

AAC is designed for emerging, private, and transnational institutions seeking external academic quality review.

28. Does AAC accredit doctoral, DBA, or PhD programs?

AAC evaluates doctoral-level programs as part of its academic accreditation scope, subject to institutional readiness and standards compliance.

29. Does AAC accredit micro-credentials or short programs?

AAC offers quality assurance frameworks for micro-credentials and non-degree programs through defined accreditation models.

30. When does AAC accreditation make sense for an institution?

AAC accreditation makes sense when an institution seeks international quality assurance, institutional improvement, and external validation without replacing national accreditation.