[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 34, Volume 3]
[Revised as of July 1, 2007]
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 
 
                 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--

[[Page 203]]

    (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 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)