ACHEC’s accreditation standards provide a universal framework for evaluating educational quality across institutions internationally, independent of local laws, regulations, or cultural differences. Institutions seeking accreditation must demonstrate compliance through the ACHEC application process. The standards are divided into three main areas:
1. Administrative Responsibility Accreditation
This focuses on the institution’s legal, administrative, financial, and staffing capabilities, as well as commitment to ethical values and continuous improvement.
Key Standards:
- Identification: Provide legal name, foundation date, mission, type of education offered, current enrollment, and graduate numbers.
- Legal Authorization: Proof of legal status (incorporation certificate, government letters, or equivalent). Explanation of relevant laws, norms, or regulatory requirements.
- Accreditation, Recognition, and References: Evidence of membership in professional bodies, accreditation, or third-party quality certifications.
- Facilities: Adequate and accessible facilities, transportation, schedules, staff availability, and a designated manager.
- Financial Stability: Demonstrate responsible financial management, sufficient resources, insurance coverage, contingency planning, and a 3-year historical and future financial plan.
- Qualified Staff: Staff must possess appropriate qualifications and experience. An organizational chart with roles and credentials is required.
- Educational Values and Ethics: Commitment to professional development, ethical practices, fairness, anti-discrimination, complaint handling, and data protection.
- Permanent Quality Control: Mechanisms to gather student feedback, complaints, and suggestions for ongoing improvement.
- Continuous Improvement: Institutions must demonstrate awareness of improvement needs and implement self-study processes to enhance quality.
2. Institutional Integrity Accreditation
This area ensures that institutions maintain honest and transparent practices in admissions, fees, contracts, and post-graduate services.
Key Standards:
- Information and Veracity: Prospective students are fully informed about courses, fees, additional costs, refund policies, and enrollment conditions. All advertising and promotional materials must be accurate and truthful.
- Admission Procedures: Applicants’ needs and capabilities are assessed, and staff adhere to admission policies. Special needs and course suitability must be verified.
- Legal Contract: A learning agreement specifies course scope, services, disclaimers, student obligations, and financial terms.
- Assistance: Clear guidance and communication channels for students to resolve questions, problems, or suggestions.
- Post-Graduate Service: Maintain student records for at least five years, including payments, special agreements, assignments, exams, and progress. Provide graduates with diplomas, transcripts, or certificates upon request.
3. Academic Quality Accreditation
This ensures excellence in teaching, learning, and service, emphasizing student achievement and academic rigor aligned with institutional mission.
Key Standards:
- Courses/Programs Description: List of all courses/programs offered, including hours of study, learning outcomes, credits, and degrees awarded.
- Hours of Study: Specify how hours are earned (attendance, homework, projects, exams, online learning, etc.).
- Course Objectives/Expected Outcomes: Clear statements of skills, competencies, qualifications, and personal growth achievable upon course completion.
- Course Contents and Materials: Adequate and structured materials facilitating effective learning, including modules, visuals, summaries, and instructions. Provide at least one sample.
- Course Delivery and Availability: Materials provided promptly with guidance on study skills; technology requirements communicated clearly.
- Course Update: Regular review to ensure content remains current and effective.
- Teaching Methodology: Description of teaching styles (in-person, distance learning, seminars, broadcast, etc.) and pedagogical initiatives enhancing academic quality.
- Tutorial or Guidance: Adequate teacher or tutorial support, or materials capable of achieving learning objectives independently.
- Teachers’ Proficiency: Instructors must be qualified, knowledgeable, motivated, and responsive to feedback. CVs or resumes required.
- Assessment and Evaluation: Regular assessment of student progress with feedback; schedules for submission and grading; support for struggling students.
- Certificate or Diploma: Should clearly indicate awarding body, nature of achievement, student name, completion date, and official signature/seal.
- Transcript or Equivalent: Must include hours of study, grades, student details, course details, and contact information of the institution. At least one sample must be provided.
