Program Accreditation
”Accrediting study programs in higher education around the world.”
The Program Accreditation
The Program Accreditation focuses particularly on innovative, entrepreneurial and internationally oriented Higher Education Institutions (HEI). The procedure contains a comprehensive evaluation of the institutional strategy, program quality assurance system and program resources. The relevant standards for the program accreditation of the Higher Education Institution are:
- Standard 1: Institutional overview
- Standard 2: Ethics and diversity
- Standard 3: Strategic design of program(s)
- Standard 4: Quality management and improvement
- Standard 5: Administration and teaching staff
- Standard 6: Student and stakeholders’ engagement
- Standard 7: Learning and teaching
- Standard 8: Program handbook
The AAC accreditation guidelines are based on the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG). Other national and international standards have also been incorporated into the formulations of the standards. To learn more on the ESG standards click on the button below:
The program accreditation procedure
The accreditation procedure for program accreditation takes about 8 to 12 months.
The procedure gives AAC and the Higher Education Institution in question a detailed evaluation of the program strengths and weaknesses and shows the essential future opportunities and hazards. This enables the HEI to identify and take efficient measures to achieve the self-imposed goals.
Application process:
- Initial meeting with HEI.
- Submission of application form and Self – report.
- Approval by the Accreditation Commission for the official opening of the accreditation procedure.
Official opening of the accreditation procedure:
- Signing of the accreditation contract.
- Creation of the Self - report according to the AAC standards and guidelines.
- Site visit of 2½ – 5 days at the HEI.
- Compilation of the Expert Report by the expert panel.
- Statement on the report by the HEI.
- Final accreditation decision of the Accreditation Commission of the AAC for program or institutional accreditation
- Option for a complaint against the procedure via an email to the AAC office or an appeal regarding the commission’s decision.
- Publication of the accreditation report.
- The accreditation is valid for 6 years and must be updated afterwards.
To provide guidance during a procedure, AAC provides guidelines for preparing an application for program accreditation or for institutional accreditation. The agency also provides continuous feedback during all steps of a procedure. Our experts can give you recommendations on the further development of your Self - documentation.
Want to accredit your program?
Start by filling out the application form and submitting it online by clicking on the Link.
Or you can also contact us via email: office@aac.cw. Our office will contact you in 2 - 3 business days.
Double accreditation
AQAS and the AAC have signed a MoU in a collaboration to offer all HEI’s the possibility to undergo double accreditation by two reputable agencies. This is an excellent opportunity for continuous improvement and benefiting of the following advantages:
- Students gain an attractive qualification that is often accepted both in the home country and in Europe
- Improvement of the quality of the programs
- Creativity and new approaches to study and learning.
- External quality assurance certificate provides a higher reputation and attracts more students
- Public visibility of programs
- Opens the door to internationalization in general in Higher Education universities
- Double accreditation saves the HEI time and money (more cost effective - 2 procedures in 1).
