Programmatic accreditation is a process of evaluating and recognizing educational programs within an institution. It is an essential aspect of quality assurance in higher education.
QAHE programmatic accreditation is a process that evaluates and recognizes the quality of educational programs in higher education institutions. It is a voluntary process that involves a rigorous review of the academic programs to ensure that they meet the required standards. The International Association for Quality Assurance in Pre-Tertiary & Higher Education (QAHE) programmatic accreditation process includes a self-assessment by the institution, followed by an external review by our Accreditation Committee. The Committee evaluates the program against the International Association for Quality Assurance in Pre-Tertiary & Higher Education (QAHE) standards and provides feedback and recommendations for improvement.
Key Criteria
1. Curriculum: The curriculum should be well-designed, comprehensive, and aligned with industry standards. It should incorporate theoretical knowledge, practical applications, and opportunities for experiential learning.
2. Faculty Qualifications: The faculty members should possess relevant qualifications, expertise, and experience in their respective fields. We recommend maintaining a balance between experienced professors and emerging talents to provide a diverse learning environment.
3. Aims and Objectives: The programs should clearly state their aims and objectives, outlining the knowledge and skills students will acquire upon completion. These objectives should be aligned with the current needs and trends of the respective industries.
4. Academic Resources: Adequate academic resources, such as spacious classrooms, computer labs, library facilities, and counseling rooms, should be available to support students' academic pursuits and well-being. Regular evaluation and upgrades of these resources are essential to ensure their effectiveness.
Procedure and Requirements for Obtaining QAHE Programmatic Accreditation:
Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with QAHE Standards and Criteria
Review the QAHE programmatic accreditation standards and criteria to understand the requirements and expectations for accreditation. These standards will serve as a guide throughout the accreditation process.
Step 2: Prepare the Self-Evaluation Report
Using the sample report as a guide, compile your institution's self-evaluation report. Ensure that all required sections are included and provide detailed information on how your program meets each accreditation criterion. Include supporting documents, such as curriculum outlines, faculty credentials, assessment methods, and program reviews.
*Each program seeking programmatic accreditation requires its own self-evaluation report. This means that you will need to prepare a separate report for each program you want to accredit. Each report should focus on the specific details and criteria applicable to that program. By submitting individual reports, you provide a comprehensive assessment of each program's quality and alignment with accreditation standards. This approach ensures a thorough evaluation of your institution's educational offerings. Therefore, prepare a distinct self-evaluation report for each program, highlighting its strengths and addressing any areas for improvement, to demonstrate compliance with accreditation requirements.
Step 3: Accreditation Decision
Once the evaluation and review process is complete, QAHE will make an accreditation decision. If your program meets the required standards, you will receive invoice to settle annual programmatic accreditation fee from our Finance Office.
Step 4: Payment for Accreditation
As part of the accreditation process, there are fees associated with obtaining programmatic accreditation from QAHE. These fees contribute to the administrative and evaluation costs incurred by the accreditation agency. Below are the payment options provided by QAHE:
Option 1: Accredit a single program with QAHE at a rate of US$220 per program per year. This option allows you to demonstrate the quality and credibility of individual programs within your institution while maintaining affordability.
Option 2: For institutions seeking to accredit multiple programs, QAHE offers a bundled discount. Accredit two programs with QAHE for a total of US$385 per year. This option allows you to enjoy savings while ensuring the quality assurance of multiple programs.
Payment Process:
1. Once you have submitted your self-evaluation report and it has been reviewed by QAHE, you will receive an invoice detailing the accreditation fees based on the chosen option.
2. Make the payment as per the instructions provided in the invoice. Ensure that the payment is made within the specified timeframe to avoid any delays in the accreditation process.
3. After the payment is successfully processed, QAHE will proceed with the final evaluation and accreditation decision for your program.
Under the guidelines of QAHE, it is a strict requirement to use distinct logos for different types of accreditation. QAHE mandates the use of specific logos for programmatic accreditation and institutional accreditation to clearly differentiate and signify the respective types of accreditations achieved by an educational institution. This rule ensures clarity and consistency in representing the different levels of accreditation attained.
Acceptance of this prestigious accreditation is ultimately subject to the discretion of the individual institutions and organizations. Each entity has its own unique priorities, strategic goals, and admission criteria, which may factor into their decision to recognize the QAHE accreditation.