After the visit, schools receive an official On-Site Evaluation Report via email, including a list of findings (if any). Schools must address the findings and submit an official response within 30 days of receiving the official On-Site Evaluation Report. Visit ACCSC Blueprints to Success: Preparing a Comprehensive Response for Commission Consideration for instructions on preparing this document.
ACCSC Pages and Publications
Bayside Projects Related Pages
An annual calendar is a great way to ensure your institution stays in compliance and on target yearly. Choose a month/week of the year for each required activity. This will give you peace of mind, for the list of things to do grows exponentially once you start the accreditation process. Download our ACCSC School Guide - Annual Operations Calendar.
This consulting package includes four modules that align with ACCSC's accreditation process. This approach allows your institution to commit to one objective and consulting fee at a time. You may cancel our services at any time without penalties. Each module focuses on one of the Licensed to Accredited Milestones and includes ten (10) Zoom training sessions:
Module 1 - Aligning with ACCSC Standards.
Module 2 - Implementing Annual Evaluations.
Module 3 - Issuing Your Annual Assessment Plan.
Module 4 - Preparing the Accreditation Documents.
Interested in learning more? Contact us for a complimentary consultation. Clients that have already completed the ACCSC Starter Consulting Package only contract Modules 2 through 4.
The Application for Initial Accreditation Part I requires your institution’s basic information, such as a license to operate, current accreditation approvals, and corporate affiliations. Exhibits include within others copies of the two most recent financials, ACCSC Program Chart, licenses, approvals, and ownership. This application must be submitted within six (6) months of attending the Accreditation Workshop.
The Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) is an institutional accrediting body recognized by the US Department of Education. It has become a popular choice for it has a broad scope of accreditation for institutions offering vocational programs and associate, bachelor, and master’s degrees.
This page includes an overview for new applicants organized in the following sections:
Nursing Programs
Associate, Bachelor, Master, and Doctor in Nursing Degrees, Practical Nursing, PN to RN Bridge Program, RN to BSN Bridge Program, Nursing Assistant (CNA).
Allied Health Programs
Home Health Aide (HHA), Nursing Assistant (CNA), Phlebotomy, Electrocardiography (EKG), Medical Assistant, Billing and Coding, Patient Care Technician (PCT), Dialysis, Pharmacy, and Dental Assisting.
Beauty Programs
Cosmetology, Full Specialist, Nail Technician, Facial Specialist, Aesthetician, Barber, Restricted Barber, Massage, Permanent Makeup, Tattoo Professional, Electrology and Laser.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
English programs for speakers of other languages.
Degree Programs
Business & Management Degrees
Education Degrees
Technology Degrees
Health Sciences Degrees
Undergraduate: Associate & Bachelor Degrees
Graduate: Master & Doctoral Degrees
College Credit Certificates
Onsite and Online Colleges & Universities
Additional Programmatic Areas
Can't find the program you are considering for your new institution or accreditation? Let us know through our comment form. The list above only includes the most common areas of consulting. We will be happy to let you know if we are available to assist you with your specific program niche.
ACCSC standards are published in their Standards of Accreditation Manual, available on ACCSC's Standards of Accreditation Page. ACCSC's current accreditation standards manual was issued on July 1, 2023. Keep an eye out for new publications, and make the appropriate adjustments to your school's policies and procedures in a timely manner.
Accreditation is probably the most challenging and rewarding experience your institution will ever go through. The tasks to be accomplished are grouped into 4 distinctive milestones:
Milestone 1 - Aligning with ACCSC Standards.
Milestone 2 - Implementing Annual Evaluations.
Milestone 3 - Issuing Your Annual Assessment Plan.
Milestone 4 - Preparing the Accreditation Documents.
Download our Licensed to Accredited Reference Guide for a description of the internal process your institution will go through to achieve each milestone. We are available to assist you in successfully completing them all. Each one builds the foundation for the next. No skipping!
Download our free ACCSC Readiness Self-Assessment . It includes 38 key elements for any institution to achieve and maintain accreditation. Still with a long way to go? No worries. This page contains tips and reference guides to assist you in achieving your goal.
Reference guides are one of the many resources we provide our consulting clients. We have prepared one for each key player in ACCSC's accreditation journey. We invite you to download them free of charge:
We recommend starting the preparations for the ACCS’s On-Site Visit as soon as the final SER and Application Part II have been submitted. Detailed instructions regarding the preparation are included in the Self Evaluation Report (SER) - Appendix B . This appendix describes the on-site evaluation best practices and specifications for the team room. There is a list of 30 exhibits to be uploaded before the on-site visit, 19 exhibits to be ready in the Team Room, and a list of materials to be available upon evaluators’ request. Follow all instructions from the visit coordinator; requirements and exhibits are subject to change.
The Institutional Assessment and Improvement Plan (IAIP) is the most challenging document schools prepare as part of their initial accreditation process. It reflects an ongoing process of self-evaluation completed annually. Preparing an IAIP Report requires aligning your school’s policies, assessments, benchmarks, surveys, and meetings with ACCSC standards. The IAIP Report is one of the SER exhibits. Download our ACCSC School Guide - Preparing the IAIP Report.
The initial ACCSC accreditation process includes the following milestones:
2024 ACCSC COMMISSION MEETINGS
ACCSC Commissioners meet four times yearly, in February, May, August, and November.
2024 ACCSC UPCOMING EVENTS
August 26 & 27, 2024 - Initial Accreditation Workshop, Arlington, VA
September 25-27, 2024 - Professional Development Conference , Long Beach, CA
December 9 & 10, 2024 - Initial Accreditation Workshop, Arlington, VA
We recommend new ACCSC applicants complete the ACCSC101 – Fulfilling the Standards of Accreditation: Administration course and ACCSC102 – Fulfilling the Standards of Accreditation: Academics to get started in the right direction . Visit ACCSC’s Online Training Center for additional courses. You may want to consider the Certified Accreditation Professional (CAP) Program for your personnel.
The Initial Self-Evaluation Report (SER) demonstrates your institution’s compliance with ACCSC’s standards. The SER is due within six (6) months of receiving ACCSC’s Application Part I acceptance letter. Having a Policies and Procedures Manual that aligns with ACCSC standards will make preparing the SER an achievable task. Download our ASCCSC School Guide - Completing the Self-Evaluation Report.
We hope the information included on this page has answered your questions regarding ACCSC’s eligibility and application process. Still needing assistance? We are glad to help! Request a free consultation by calling 786-618-2277 , emailing [email protected] , or completing the free session request form . During this session, we will conduct a preliminary assessment and introduce you to the requirements and process for your school to become accredited and be ready to apply for federal financial aid Title IV funding.
We serve clients nationwide and are accredited by the Better Business Bureau with a BBB A+ Rating . Count on us to assist your school with the ACCSC accreditation process.
Preparing a document for submission as part of your ACCSC accreditation process should not be taken lightly. Each application becomes one PDF document organized as per the document instructions. Once the document is ready, it must be submitted through the ACCSC’s College 360 Database Portal . For information regarding the submission process or requesting a College 360 password, visit ACCSC’s School Submission Center Page . You may also review ACCSC’s Blueprints for Success: Organizing an Effective Electronic Submission .
Review faculty and staff files to follow a standardized checklist. Confirm files include all requirements as per ACCSC standards. Staff and faculty are to receive an orientation before starting their employment. Admissions personnel have specific training related to recruitment, disclosures, and code of conduct. Download our ACCSC School Guide - Employee File Documents.
This is a good time to audit your student files. Student files should follow a standardized checklist. Elements to audit: enrollment agreements, admission documentation, entrance exams, transfer of hours/credits, satisfactory academic progress evaluations, transcripts, externship evaluations, attendance, leave of absence requests, exit reviews, employment verification, ledger cards, withdrawal calculations, and grievances. Download our ACCSC School Guide - Graduate File Documents and ACCSC School Guide - Withdraw File Documents .
Aligning your institution with ACCSC Standards starts with establishing the policies and operations that will address compliance on a department level for your school’s size and scope. Your policies should guide the day-to-day operations and be easily understood by all personnel. When well-designed, they will answer most of ACCSC’s questions regarding procedures and practices at your institution. The policies and operations manuals are the foundation for preparing the Self Evaluation and the IAIP Reports. Download our ACCSC School Guide - Policies and Procedures Manual and ACCSC School Guide - Operations Manual.
Surveys will provide your institution with the evaluation of many aspects required for accreditation. The recommended annual surveys are:
Download our ACCSC School Guide - Annual Surveys. Ensure your surveys include the evaluation statements necessary to demonstrate compliance with ACCSC standards. Survey Monkey is a great application where you can set up the surveys once and then create the reports presented at the quarterly and annual meetings.
We can help you with the first step in the accreditation journey: aligning your institution's operations with best practices and ACCSC standards. This consulting package includes:
ACCSC Application for Initial Applicants Part II requires many exhibits, including ACCSC Faculty Reports, ACCSC Personnel Reports, financials, Program Chart, third-party employment verification, permits, licenses, insurance, and program applications for each one of the programs licensed at your institution. This application is due within six (6) months of receiving ACCSC’s Application Part I acceptance letter.