AACTS principles

1To provide educationally sound study programs that are high quality, effective and current.2To maintain ethical, fair and clear advertising, enrollment and admission practices by accurately representing AACTS.3To provide student counseling and motivational programs which recognize individual differences and ensure student retention, graduation and employability.4To establish net benefits of private training programs through satisfied students. 5To maintain effective peer review systems to ensure ethical and proper administration of financial operations of the institution. 6To advance the concept of self-regulation that is inherent in the accreditation process.7To show commitment to educational services through participation and community involvement. 8To demonstrate the effectiveness of private education, and provide essential skills for a productive American work force. 9To promote continuing education of the highest integrity and quality.

Mission

How to Gain Accreditation

Though there is a very detailed explanation of this process available in various AACTS documents, including Document 1 – The Accreditation Process, we will summarize it here.
The complete process is done within the Accreditation Management System (AMS) maintained by AACTS. No paper inquiries, ASERs or applications will be accepted.

Inquiry

First step to the process is creating an account in AMS. Once the account is created and you are logged in, you should complete the Inquiry Questionnaire and pay the processing fee for determination about whether your institution is eligible.

Application

To formally apply to AACTS, submission of AACTS Document 4- Application for Accreditation is necessary. Also required are supporting documents along with a processing fee. When AACTS accepts the application, it does not indicate approval or rejection, but simply an initial indicator that the institution meets broad stroke requirements.

Evaluation Workshop for Accreditation

Each applicant is required to send a single representative, at minimum to an AACTS Workshop prior to submission of ASER (Analytic Self-Evaluation Report). These workshops were developed so institution agents have an in-depth look at the accreditation process and are well-equipped to assist in preparing the ASER, the on-site evaluation and Commission actions.

Analytic Self-Evaluation Report (ASER)

After submitting an application and participating in the Workshop, the institution should submit a completed Analytic Self-Evaluation Report or ASER. The ASER will reflect an in-depth analysis of the operational strengths and weaknesses of the organization. This assessment is expected to be an essential experience which produces substantial insights for program and process improvements. This analytic process should induce reassessment of objectives, programs, resources, policies, procedures and achievements.

Evaluation Team

When the AACTS staff receives the ASER, they make arrangements to have an assessment team do an on-site evaluation. The assessment team is chosen in accordance with the program or programs they will evaluate and the unique characteristics of the institution. These teams will vary in size depending upon the complexity and concentration of the applicant programs. Each team member will be assigned individual responsibilities in accordance with their expertise; one team member will be named the chairperson. Each of the major components of the institution’s content will be evaluated by a specialist in that particular field. Teams are typically comprised of a Commission Representative, an Administration/Management Representative and a Continuing Education Specialist; but the team makeup can vary as needed.

On-Site Evaluation

The on-site assessment is a fact-finding operation on behalf of the accrediting commission. Primary responsibilities of the team during this visit are to establish a comparative analysis of the ASER and observe the operational peculiarities that are relevant to the AACTS Document 2 – Standards for Accreditation. Team members are tasked with confirming the accuracy of the information contained in the ASER; they do so by inquiring, observing and sampling. Administrative and educational activities are evaluated in the context of the AACTS policies, standards and procedures.

Team Report

Following the on-site visit, the team prepares a report and submits it to the AACTS office to be processed. A copy of the report is sent to the applicant, and they are given an opportunity to reply and offer additional documentation for consideration by the commission.

Commission Action

Periodic meetings by the Accrediting Commission are setup to review and assess institutions; the commission may accredit for up to five years, three years for first-time vocational school applicants. They may also defer an institution’s accreditation pending further evidence or necessary changes, deny an accreditation or withdraw one from an institution that is currently accredited. The written report of the decisions made by the commission will be available to the applicant within 30 days after the commission’s assessment meeting. AACTS also publishes Commission Reports which summarize the actions taken at these meetings.

Scheduling

While no fixed deadline or time frame is stated for completing the accreditation process, twelve months is a reasonable estimate of the time it will take for an institution to navigate the process successfully. The initial application will expire one year from the date of submission/receipt a AACTS; of course, if AACTS receives the ASER, request for on-site assessment and processing fee during that time, it will extend the expiration date. Applicants that are accepted before the end of the commission review cycles, which are in April, August and December may necessitate scheduling for the assessment on-site during the next cycle, if submission of the completed paperwork and fees is delayed. Review the Accreditation Schedule for details.