Accreditation Status Policy

AAQEP accredits portfolios of programs brought forward by an educator preparation provider; each accreditation case is defined in the scope of accreditation specified in the self-study report. A single provider may bring forward more than one program or collections of programs in separate self-studies, each of which is reviewed separately and leads to a separate decision. Where multiple programs are included under a single scope of accreditation, any accreditation action applies to the entire portfolio specified in the scope of accreditation rather than to any individual course of study included in the broader scope.

An affirmative action by the Accreditation Commission results in a reviewed portfolio of programs being awarded an accreditation status with a specified term: 

Accreditation (7 years)

Accreditation for a full term of 7 years is awarded based on review of a Quality Assurance Report when all standards are met and no more than one condition is noted (see Accreditation Decisions Policy).

Initial Accreditation (5 years)

Initial accreditation status is awarded for a full, nonrenewable term of 5 years based on review of an Initial Accreditation Report when all standards are met and no more than one condition is noted (see Accreditation Decisions Policy).

Probationary Accreditation (2 years)

Probationary accreditation is awarded in cases where two conditions are noted in the accreditation decision. Conditions indicate shortcomings that threaten to render a provider out of compliance with a standard (see Accreditation Decisions Policy). Probationary status lasts up to 2 years.

A provider with probationary status must address the conditions identified in its Accreditation Action Report to the Commission’s satisfaction within 2 years of the decision. The provider presents evidence to the Commission in a written report; the Commission may also specify in awarding probationary status that a focused site visit is required to affirm the evidence. Should such a visit be required, the report associated with that visit, along with the provider’s own report addressing the conditions, must be supplied to the Commission within 2 years of the original probationary decision.

Review of the report(s) may result in affirmative or adverse action. If the Commission determines that standards are met, the Commission awards the program the remainder of the term of the accreditation status originally sought. Determination that standards are not met results in adverse action.

Maintaining Accreditation Status

A program's accreditation status remains in force through its expiration date as long as the accredited provider maintains current membership through annual payment of fees, files an acceptable Annual Report as required by December 31 of each year, and makes available to the public such program and candidate/completer performance data as specified by AAQEP. Evidence reported in the Annual Report must be consistent with continued meeting of all standards (see Annual Report Policy). Accredited members seeking renewal of accreditation must complete a Quality Assurance Report and host a site visit prior to the expiration of their current accreditation term. Accredited status is maintained through the subsequent accreditation action.

Extension of Term

Programs may request an extension of their current term of accreditation should circumstances impede their ability to meet accreditation deadlines. Requests for extension of term should be directed to the director of accreditation services. Extensions may be granted for good cause up to one year; no more than two extensions may be granted to a given term of accreditation.

Last updated February 2025