Accreditation Requirements
Any educational institution that intends to obtain accreditation status from ACHEC must demonstrate compliance with the education quality standards established by ACHEC. This compliance is demonstrated through the submission of an Application for Accreditation, including a Self-Assessment (Self-Study) Report and all required supporting documentation.
Application for Accreditation
ACHEC has developed a comprehensive application for accreditation to guide applicant institutions in preparing the Self-Study Report and the required documentary evidence. Institutions may apply online by completing the application form and responding to all required questions.
The application constitutes a legally binding agreement between ACHEC and the applicant institution, outlining the rights and obligations of both parties. Upon submission, the applicant institution must pay the Secretary Fee for verification of accreditation eligibility. Once eligibility is confirmed by the ACHEC Secretary, the institution will be authorized to pay the Accreditation Fee.
ACHEC will not initiate any accreditation process without a completed application and payment of the Secretary Fee.
Consideration of Eligibility
Accreditation by ACHEC focuses primarily on higher education institutions and vocational institutions. Eligible applicants include organizations, entities, or companies that are legally authorized to conduct educational instruction and certification, and to award post-secondary degrees, certificates, or other educational or professional credentials.
Eligible institutions must prepare individuals to acquire competencies and educational qualifications necessary to function effectively in a specific occupation. This includes preparation in a branch of knowledge, science, art, or business that requires significant specialized training or professional practice.
Documentation Review
The ACHEC Secretary will review the submitted online application and request specific supporting documents. Applicants may download, complete, and submit the required documents via email in DOC, PDF, or JPG format.
Accreditation Fees
Once eligibility has been confirmed by the ACHEC Secretary, the applicant institution must pay the accreditation fee before the formal evaluation process begins. No evaluation will take place until the required fees are fully paid.
Evaluation Process
The ACHEC Secretary will review and assess the application and supporting documents to determine how effectively each accreditation standard is met. Each standard is evaluated using a grading scale from 0 to 4, as follows:
- 4 – Outstanding: No improvement required
- 3 – Standard: Improvement may be needed
- 2 – Acceptable: Improvement required
- 1 – Insufficient: Minimum standards not met
- 0 – Null: Requirement not fulfilled
Interview or Site Visit
If necessary, a Commission Member may request an interview (online or in person) with the institution’s designated representative or arrange a site visit. This step is usually required when submitted materials are insufficient or when further clarification is needed regarding specific standards.
All travel and related expenses for interviews or site visits are the responsibility of the applicant institution. The objectives, schedule, and budget will be agreed upon in advance by the ACHEC Secretary in consultation with the applicant. Typically, a 1–2 hour online interview or a one-day site visit is sufficient.
Announcement of Results
The ACHEC Secretary will communicate the initial evaluation results to the members of the Accreditation Commission. Commission members have 30 days from the date of announcement to review, amend, or confirm the findings and grades of the evaluation report.
Final Decision and Conclusion
Following the Commission’s review, the ACHEC Secretary will submit the final evaluation results and any amendments to the President of ACHEC. The President will review the report to resolve any discrepancies and formally endorse the final accreditation grades.
The applicant institution will then be notified of the final accreditation decision. A detailed accreditation report, including recommendations where applicable, will always be provided. If full accreditation is granted, the official accreditation certificate will be issued.
The final accreditation status is determined as follows:
- Full Accreditation:
Final average score between 3.0 and 4.0. Re-accreditation is required every three years. - Conditional Accreditation:
Final average score between 2.0 and 2.9. This is a temporary status valid for one year. The institution must undergo re-accreditation within 12 months. Failure to achieve full accreditation will result in denial. - Denial of Accreditation:
Final average score between 0.0 and 1.9. The Commission will provide reasons for denial. Accreditation fees are non-refundable. Institutions may reapply after a minimum period of 12 months.
