[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 34, Volume 3]

[Revised as of July 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 34CFR602.17]



[Page 202-203]

 

                           TITLE 34--EDUCATION

 

 CHAPTER VI--OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

 

PART 602_THE SECRETARY'S RECOGNITION OF ACCREDITING AGENCIES--Table of 

Contents

 

                 Subpart B_The Criteria for Recognition

 

Sec. 602.17  Application of standards in reaching an accrediting decision.



    The agency must have effective mechanisms for evaluating an 

institution's or program's compliance with the agency's standards before 

reaching a decision to accredit or preaccredit the institution or 

program. The agency meets this requirement if the agency demonstrates 

that it--

    (a) Evaluates whether an institution or program--

    (1) Maintains clearly specified educational objectives that are 

consistent with its mission and appropriate in light of the degrees or 

certificates awarded;

    (2) Is successful in achieving its stated objectives; and

    (3) Maintains degree and certificate requirements that at least 

conform to commonly accepted standards;

    (b) Requires the institution or program to prepare, following 

guidance provided by the agency, an in-depth self-study that includes 

the assessment



[[Page 203]]



of educational quality and the institution's or program's continuing 

efforts to improve educational quality;

    (c) Conducts at least one on-site review of the institution or 

program during which it obtains sufficient information to determine if 

the institution or program complies with the agency's standards;

    (d) Allows the institution or program the opportunity to respond in 

writing to the report of the on-site review;

    (e) Conducts its own analysis of the self-study and supporting 

documentation furnished by the institution or program, the report of the 

on-site review, the institution's or program's response to the report, 

and any other appropriate information from other sources to determine 

whether the institution or program complies with the agency's standards; 

and

    (f) Provides the institution or program with a detailed written 

report that assesses--

    (1) The institution's or program's compliance with the agency's 

standards, including areas needing improvement; and

    (2) The institution's or program's performance with respect to 

student achievement.



(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)