Where: IARs are constructed and submitted via project templates in the Accreditation Management Platform.
Who: Primary Contacts are given access to IAR project templates one year before their site visit, or earlier upon request (email Sara Hiller).
When: The IAR is due at least 6 months before the site visit, or at least 9 months ahead to take advantage of the staff completeness check.
AAQEP offers a variety of resources and guidance to support you in writing the self-study report known as the Initial Accreditation Report, or IAR, in application for 5-year, nonrenewable initial accreditation status.
All IARs are constructed and submitted via AAQEP’s Accreditation Management Platform, where project templates are available for both the 2025 and the 2018 expectations frameworks. Reference the transition timeline for which version to use in your self-study:
Site visit semester
Framework to use
Fall 2025
2018 standards
Spring 2026 – Fall 2026
Either 2018 or 2025
Spring 2027 onward
2025 standards
The following supporting resources are available for IAR authors:
Guidance on Writing the Initial Accreditation Report (2025 Standards) (PDF)
This document provides detailed guidance for IAR authors. Approaches to organizing the work, evidence selection, and organizational strategies are addressed as well as instructions for using the IAR project template in the Accreditation Management Platform.
Tables and Templates in Support of the Initial Accreditation Report (PDF / Word)
Consolidated document with all tables and templates (required and optional) for reporting documentation and evidence in support of the IAR.
Guidance on Data Reporting and Investigating Data Quality (forthcoming)
IAR Completeness Check (PDF / Word)
If you turn in your draft IAR at least 9 months prior to your site visit, staff will give it a completeness check. Download the Word version to customize for your own use.
Guidance on Writing the IAR (2018 Standards) (PDF)
This document lists the components of an IAR and offers templates and guidelines for report authors to use. (Note: This guidance predates the IAR template in the Accreditation Management Platform. Updated instructions can be found within the project template.)
Program Specification Table (PDF / Word)
This document contains a template and full instructions for completing the Program Specification Table, an official record of the specific programs included in the scope of your AAQEP review. The table identifies the degrees or programs being accredited by AAQEP, any associated state credentials, enrollment and completer numbers, and other information. Download the Word file to use as a template to include in Section 1 of your IAR.
Aspect-Evidence Tables (PDF / Word)
These tables provide an organizer for your report readers by identifying evidence sources for Standards 1 and 2, their alignment to the standards and aspects, and which program(s) they support. Instructions specific to these tables' use in IARs are detailed in the Guidance on Writing the IAR linked above. Download the Word version of the Aspect-Evidence Tables to use in Sections 2 and 3 of your report.
Partnerships Table (PDF / Word)
This file shows two examples of how you might present your work with P-12 partners that host candidates for field-based experiences. Download the Word file to use or adapt for Section 4 of your report.
Faculty Qualifications Table (PDF / Word)
This table illustrates one way to present full- and part-time faculty qualifications. Download the Word file to use or adapt in Section 6 of your report.
Parity Table (PDF / Word)
This table shows a sample reporting format to demonstrate parity of your program’s capacity with another comparable program, in support of Aspect 3f of the 2018 standards. Download the Word file to use or adapt in Section 6 of your report.
Curriculum Matrix (PDF / Word)
This table shows one way to document curriculum alignment to relevant state and national standards. Download the Word file to use or adapt in Section 6 of your report.
IAR Completeness Check (PDF / Word)
If you turn in your draft IAR at least 9 months prior to your site visit, staff will give it a completeness check. Download the Word version to customize for your own use.
Guidance Document (PDF)
This quick reference explains how to access and navigate self-study templates, assign user permissions, upload evidence files, and save and submit reports in the Accreditation Management Platform (AMP).
Video Recording
This 13-minute presentation highlights best practices for self-study authors in the AMP and walks through guidance on using templates, assigning user permissions, uploading evidence files, and saving and submitting reports.
