Become a Reviewer

Listen to AAQEP reviewers share their experiences about participating in peer review:

Reviewer Roles

AAQEP welcomes applications for the following volunteer roles:

Proposal Reviewers

Responsible for providing feedback on programs’ Accreditation Proposals. In this fully virtual role, after an initial context meeting with the proposal author, reviewers have approximately 2 months to collaborate and complete a review form with written comments. At the provider's discretion, a feedback exchange meeting may then be scheduled.

Quality Review Team (QRT) Members

Responsible for participating in both previsit and site visit components of the quality assurance review. Previsit meetings are held virtually, as are site visits for 5-year initial accreditation; on-site visits for 7-year accreditation generally require 2-3 days of travel. For the previsit review, QRT members read the program’s self-study report and document evidence found in the report. During the site visit, reviewers probe and verify the evidence put forth in the self-study. Following the site visit, reviewers are also responsible for contributing to the Quality Review Team Report.

Quality Review Team (QRT) Leads

Responsible for leading both previsit and site visit components of the quality assurance review. Team leads organize and guide previsit preparation, facilitate the review of the program’s self-study and authoring of team reports, lead the site visit, and attend the Accreditation Commission's virtual decision meeting.

AAQEP Training: How It Works

AAQEP provides online professional learning to prepare volunteer reviewers for their specific role(s). You are eligible to work as a reviewer only after you have successfully completed the required training modules for your role:

Role	Required Training Modules (aligned with 2025 standards)
Proposal Reviewer	1, 2, 5
QRT - Team Member	1, 2, 3
QRT - Team Lead	1, 2, 3, 4

To get started, please complete a quick online application and upload a resume/CV. (The application linked below is a Google form with a file upload option. If you encounter difficulties using this form, contact us for assistance.)

Note: Reviewers are expected to refresh their suite of training every 3 years and are encouraged to retake their role-specific modules when assigned to a review.

Questions? Contact Christine DeGregory, Director of Professional Learning.

Reviewer FAQs

A: Volunteering as a peer reviewer is an essential quality-assurance activity that benefits the profession. You also benefit personally, not only by building your professional service record but also by gaining a deeper understanding of the AAQEP model and its principles, developing a professional network with peers, and getting a close-up view of educator preparation in a variety of settings.

Active AAQEP reviewers (who have completed their training) are also eligible for a 50% discount on individual AAQEP membership.

A: No, serving as a reviewer is strictly a volunteer opportunity. Reviewers are reimbursed for travel expenses incurred as part of their AAQEP work.

A: Professional qualifications that are most relevant include:

Teaching experience (P-12 and/or postsecondary) and/or teacher preparation
Employment/participation in educator preparation and related activities, such as education leadership, school counseling, assessment, and accreditation
Graduate-level research pertaining to the field of education, particularly educator preparation

Please make sure to highlight such experience and expertise in your CV as well as in the reviewer application.

A: No! AAQEP membership is not a requirement; all education professionals are encouraged to apply, and the current AAQEP reviewer pool consists of volunteers from member and nonmember programs. It also includes people who are active site visitors with other accrediting bodies as well as volunteers with no prior experience with accreditation reviews.

A: While completion time depends on the modules required for a particular reviewer role, initial training generally takes between 4 and 7 hours.

A: It depends on the type of role you’ve selected and on the current need for your particular areas of experience and expertise, as requested by the programs being reviewed.

Trained Quality Review Team members are sent an availability form twice a year (in August and March). Based on responses to this form, AAQEP staff match reviewers to cases.
Trained proposal reviewers are matched to assignments three times a year (in August, November, and March).

A: Reviewer terms are set for 3 years, after which a new application can be filed to renew for another 3-year term.

A: We offer periodic touch points to help reinforce your training and enhance your readiness to serve. After completing the modules for any AAQEP volunteer role, you will receive a PDF companion guide for ongoing reference. Each semester we will hold a live webinar for reviewers to gear up for the coming semester, which is also open to other interested quality assurance reviewers.

"The spirit of collaboration and ‘critical friend’ stuck out for me. I felt inspired and more sure than ever that AAQEP was not just an accreditation body, but a space for mutual learning and celebration."

— AAQEP team lead