Independent Peer Review
Experts support AAC reviews by examining evidence, asking questions, participating in review meetings or visits, and contributing to expert findings.
AAC Expert Database
Become an AAC Expert
Apply for inclusion in AAC’s Expert Database and contribute to external quality assurance reviews.
AAC welcomes qualified academic, professional, quality assurance, and student experts who may be considered for peer-review assignments in accreditation and evaluation procedures.
Peer review capacity
Why AAC Maintains an Expert Database
AAC accreditation and evaluation procedures rely on independent peer review. The AAC Expert Database helps AAC identify qualified experts who may be invited to contribute to review panels according to the needs of a specific procedure.
Relevant Expertise
AAC may seek academic, professional, student, institutional, or quality assurance expertise depending on the review scope.
International Perspective
The Expert Database helps AAC maintain access to diverse perspectives and relevant international quality assurance experience.
Quality and Integrity
Expert participation supports evidence-based review, professional judgment, and the credibility of AAC procedures.
Eligibility and profiles
Who Can Apply
AAC welcomes applications from qualified individuals with relevant expertise, experience, and commitment to external quality assurance in higher education.
Academic Experts
Faculty members, academic leaders, researchers, program directors, deans, rectors, or other higher education professionals with relevant academic experience.
Professional Experts
Practitioners, employers, sector specialists, industry representatives, or professionals with experience relevant to a specific program, discipline, or institutional review.
Quality Assurance Experts
Individuals with experience in accreditation, institutional review, program evaluation, internal quality assurance, governance, or higher education regulation.
Student Experts
Students or recent graduates who can contribute informed perspectives on the student experience, learning environment, academic support, assessment, communication, and institutional services.
Expert roles
How Experts May Be Involved
Experts included in the AAC Expert Database may be considered for participation in review assignments when their profile matches the needs of a specific accreditation or evaluation procedure.
01
Evidence Review
Experts may review self-evaluation materials, supporting documents, policies, reports, program information, institutional records, and other evidence.
02
Questions and Clarifications
Experts may prepare questions, identify points for clarification, and contribute to planning review meetings or visits.
03
Review Meetings or Visits
Experts may participate in onsite visits, virtual reviews, structured interviews, or online meetings with institutional representatives and stakeholders.
04
Expert Findings
Experts contribute to findings, analysis, commendations, recommendations, and risk observations based on the evidence and review procedure.
05
Expert Report
Experts may contribute to the expert report submitted for consideration by AAC according to the applicable procedure.
Expert panels provide findings and recommendations. They do not grant accreditation. Accreditation decisions are made by the AAC Accreditation Commission in accordance with AAC procedures.
Screening
Screening and Selection
Submission of an application does not automatically lead to appointment. AAC reviews expert applications and may include suitable profiles in the Expert Database. Experts may later be invited for assignments based on review needs, independence, availability, expertise, and conflict-of-interest requirements.
Profile Review
AAC reviews the applicant’s background, qualifications, professional experience, and relevance to AAC accreditation and evaluation activities.
Expertise Matching
Experts may be considered for assignments where their expertise matches the institution, program, sector, or review scope.
Independence and Conflicts
Experts may be required to disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest before participating in a review.
Assignment Invitation
Inclusion in the Expert Database does not guarantee assignments. AAC may invite experts when a suitable review opportunity arises.
Professional standards
Professional Expectations for AAC Experts
AAC experts are expected to act with integrity, independence, confidentiality, professionalism, and respect for the evidence-based nature of the review process.
Independence
Experts must approach reviews objectively and disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest.
Confidentiality
Experts must treat institutional materials, review discussions, and case information as confidential unless disclosure is authorized.
Evidence-Based Judgment
Experts should base findings on submitted evidence, review meetings, documented analysis, and applicable AAC standards.
Professional Communication
Experts should communicate clearly, respectfully, and constructively with AAC, panel members, and reviewed institutions.
Timely Contribution
Experts are expected to meet deadlines, participate in required meetings, and contribute responsibly to the review process.
Quality Assurance Mindset
Experts should understand that AAC reviews support both accountability and quality improvement.
Important clarification
What Inclusion in the Expert Database Means
Inclusion in the AAC Expert Database means that AAC may consider the expert for future review assignments. It does not create employment, guarantee paid work, guarantee appointment to a panel, or authorize the expert to represent AAC independently.
- Database inclusion is not automatic appointment.
- Review assignments depend on profile match, availability, independence, and procedural needs.
- Experts may be asked to complete conflict-of-interest and confidentiality declarations.
- Experts act within the specific mandate assigned by AAC.
- Expert panels provide findings and recommendations, not accreditation decisions.
Application
Apply to Join the AAC Expert Database
Qualified experts who wish to be considered for AAC review assignments are invited to submit the expert application form. AAC will review the information provided and may contact applicants regarding suitability, additional information, or potential future assignments.
Submission of the application does not automatically guarantee inclusion in the database or appointment to a review assignment.
Next steps
Explore Related AAC Pages
Accreditation Overview
Review AAC’s accreditation pathways and understand how program, institutional, and AI-related accreditation pathways relate to each other.
View Accreditation OverviewAccreditation Process
Understand the general AAC accreditation process, from application to evidence review, Commission decision, monitoring, and renewal.
View Accreditation ProcessProgram Accreditation
Explore AAC’s pathway for external review of academic program quality.
Explore Program AccreditationInstitutional Accreditation
Explore AAC’s pathway for institution-wide external quality assurance review.
Explore Institutional AccreditationExpert Application
Submit your application to be considered for inclusion in AAC’s Expert Database.
Apply as ExpertContact AAC
Contact AAC with questions about expert participation, review procedures, or accreditation activities.
Contact AACAAC Expert Database · Peer Review · Quality Assurance
Ready to Contribute as an AAC Expert?
AAC welcomes qualified experts who can support evidence-based, peer-reviewed accreditation and evaluation procedures.
AAC Expert Database
Become an AAC Expert
Apply for inclusion in AAC’s Expert Database and contribute to external quality assurance reviews.
AAC welcomes qualified academic, professional, quality assurance, and student experts who may be considered for peer-review assignments in accreditation and evaluation procedures.
Peer review capacity
Why AAC Maintains an Expert Database
AAC accreditation and evaluation procedures rely on independent peer review. The AAC Expert Database helps AAC identify qualified experts who may be invited to contribute to review panels according to the needs of a specific procedure.
Independent Peer Review
Experts support AAC reviews by examining evidence, asking questions, participating in review meetings or visits, and contributing to expert findings.
Relevant Expertise
AAC may seek academic, professional, student, institutional, or quality assurance expertise depending on the review scope.
International Perspective
The Expert Database helps AAC maintain access to diverse perspectives and relevant international quality assurance experience.
Quality and Integrity
Expert participation supports evidence-based review, professional judgment, and the credibility of AAC procedures.
Eligibility and profiles
Who Can Apply
AAC welcomes applications from qualified individuals with relevant expertise, experience, and commitment to external quality assurance in higher education.
Academic Experts
Faculty members, academic leaders, researchers, program directors, deans, rectors, or other higher education professionals with relevant academic experience.
Professional Experts
Practitioners, employers, sector specialists, industry representatives, or professionals with experience relevant to a specific program, discipline, or institutional review.
Quality Assurance Experts
Individuals with experience in accreditation, institutional review, program evaluation, internal quality assurance, governance, or higher education regulation.
Student Experts
Students or recent graduates who can contribute informed perspectives on the student experience, learning environment, academic support, assessment, communication, and institutional services.
Expert roles
How Experts May Be Involved
Experts included in the AAC Expert Database may be considered for participation in review assignments when their profile matches the needs of a specific accreditation or evaluation procedure.
01
Evidence Review
Experts may review self-evaluation materials, supporting documents, policies, reports, program information, institutional records, and other evidence.
02
Questions and Clarifications
Experts may prepare questions, identify points for clarification, and contribute to planning review meetings or visits.
03
Review Meetings or Visits
Experts may participate in onsite visits, virtual reviews, structured interviews, or online meetings with institutional representatives and stakeholders.
04
Expert Findings
Experts contribute to findings, analysis, commendations, recommendations, and risk observations based on the evidence and review procedure.
05
Expert Report
Experts may contribute to the expert report submitted for consideration by AAC according to the applicable procedure.
Expert panels provide findings and recommendations. They do not grant accreditation. Accreditation decisions are made by the AAC Accreditation Commission in accordance with AAC procedures.
Screening
Screening and Selection
Submission of an application does not automatically lead to appointment. AAC reviews expert applications and may include suitable profiles in the Expert Database. Experts may later be invited for assignments based on review needs, independence, availability, expertise, and conflict-of-interest requirements.
Profile Review
AAC reviews the applicant’s background, qualifications, professional experience, and relevance to AAC accreditation and evaluation activities.
Expertise Matching
Experts may be considered for assignments where their expertise matches the institution, program, sector, or review scope.
Independence and Conflicts
Experts may be required to disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest before participating in a review.
Assignment Invitation
Inclusion in the Expert Database does not guarantee assignments. AAC may invite experts when a suitable review opportunity arises.
Professional standards
Professional Expectations for AAC Experts
AAC experts are expected to act with integrity, independence, confidentiality, professionalism, and respect for the evidence-based nature of the review process.
Independence
Experts must approach reviews objectively and disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest.
Confidentiality
Experts must treat institutional materials, review discussions, and case information as confidential unless disclosure is authorized.
Evidence-Based Judgment
Experts should base findings on submitted evidence, review meetings, documented analysis, and applicable AAC standards.
Professional Communication
Experts should communicate clearly, respectfully, and constructively with AAC, panel members, and reviewed institutions.
Timely Contribution
Experts are expected to meet deadlines, participate in required meetings, and contribute responsibly to the review process.
Quality Assurance Mindset
Experts should understand that AAC reviews support both accountability and quality improvement.
Important clarification
What Inclusion in the Expert Database Means
Inclusion in the AAC Expert Database means that AAC may consider the expert for future review assignments. It does not create employment, guarantee paid work, guarantee appointment to a panel, or authorize the expert to represent AAC independently.
- Database inclusion is not automatic appointment.
- Review assignments depend on profile match, availability, independence, and procedural needs.
- Experts may be asked to complete conflict-of-interest and confidentiality declarations.
- Experts act within the specific mandate assigned by AAC.
- Expert panels provide findings and recommendations, not accreditation decisions.
Application
Apply to Join the AAC Expert Database
Qualified experts who wish to be considered for AAC review assignments are invited to submit the expert application form. AAC will review the information provided and may contact applicants regarding suitability, additional information, or potential future assignments.
Submission of the application does not automatically guarantee inclusion in the database or appointment to a review assignment.
Next steps
Explore Related AAC Pages
Accreditation Overview
Review AAC’s accreditation pathways and understand how program, institutional, and AI-related accreditation pathways relate to each other.
View Accreditation OverviewAccreditation Process
Understand the general AAC accreditation process, from application to evidence review, Commission decision, monitoring, and renewal.
View Accreditation ProcessProgram Accreditation
Explore AAC’s pathway for external review of academic program quality.
Explore Program AccreditationInstitutional Accreditation
Explore AAC’s pathway for institution-wide external quality assurance review.
Explore Institutional AccreditationExpert Application
Submit your application to be considered for inclusion in AAC’s Expert Database.
Apply as ExpertContact AAC
Contact AAC with questions about expert participation, review procedures, or accreditation activities.
Contact AACAAC Expert Database · Peer Review · Quality Assurance
Ready to Contribute as an AAC Expert?
AAC welcomes qualified experts who can support evidence-based, peer-reviewed accreditation and evaluation procedures.