Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) has existed since 1912, making it one of the earliest-established accrediting agencies in the country. Both the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education recognize it as an accrediting agency.
Member CollegesACICS members include almost 700 educational institutions worldwide. These include two main types of schools: private post-secondary institutions that award diplomas or certificates and degree-granting post-secondary institutions that offer associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees in various professional or vocational fields. This includes distance education programs. The ACICS focuses on schools whose offerings are specifically designed to develop career-enhancing skills for their students.
ACICS Accrediting ProcessAccreditation of member institutions is granted for periods of eight years; however, members submit information yearly in order to maintain accountability with ACICS. This information is comprised of financial data, student enrollment figures, and rates of job placement, as well as other data. ACICS uses this knowledge, as well as knowledge gathered throughout the rest of the review process, to assess a school's educational effectiveness. The mission of ACICS calls for not only educational excellence, but also for ethical educational and business practices on the part of its members. The ACICS runs workshops designed to guide institutions through the accreditation process.
Students who wish to discover whether or not their school is accredited by the ACICS can check the ACICS website or the U.S. Department of Education database. The ACICS also publishes a list of institutions whose accreditation status was revoked or denied; institutions currently seeking accreditation with ACICS; and previous member institutions that have closed.
Article ReferencesACICS
http://www.acics.org/
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