Administration of Accreditation and Licensing

Administration of Accreditation and Licensing

Introduction

Universities all around the world are keen to control their educational process in order to achieve quality in their output, at a time when educational institutions aim for quality and its application in their work. The idea of ​​academic accreditation first appeared in the United States of America in 1871 in a voluntary, non-governmental joint cooperation between universities and secondary schools in the United States of America, to improve the educational situation and discuss important educational issues for both parties.

Cooperation between schools and universities began in 1871, at the initiative of a group of faculty members at the University of Michigan, to visit secondary schools in the United States of America; to ensure that schools have a degree of competence and distinction that allows school graduates to be accepted in the universities, without undergoing admission tests. As a result of this cooperation, in 1887, the first association of the states of the American center was established. Afterwards, associations were established. Now, there are six universities, aiming at the evaluation and accreditation of secondary school programs. Then the focus shifted at the beginning of 1913 to evaluating and accrediting the programs of higher education institutions, and setting standards that determine the efficiency of their academic programs. With the beginning of the forties, all American higher education institutions became subject to pressures demanding them to obtain academic accreditation.

1- Providing accountability and supporting responsibility towards all organizational aspects in the institution.

2- Providing evaluation standards that include all aspects of the educational system in the institution.

3- Strengthening the community's confidence in educational institutions.

It is clear from the foregoing that accreditation aims to raise the quality of education in all aspects, as well as to guarantee the society the quality of the educational process outcomes, and to achieve the principle of clarity and transparency.

Types of accreditation:

There are three types of accreditation:

Institutional accreditation, Program accreditation and Professional accreditation.

Institutional Accreditation:

This type refers to the full accreditation of the institution, according to specific criteria, and this includes all employees of the institution, the academic staff, the student achievement, and other components of the educational institution capabilities according to certain criteria. Institutional accreditation includes two types of accreditation:

1- Initial Approval:

It ensures that the educational institution has met the necessary requirements and standards, such as administrative and educational aspects, playgrounds, green spaces, libraries, equipment, etc., and if it does not meet the requirements, then there is transition to academic accreditation, as a complementary part of institutional accreditation.

2- Academic accreditation:

This type often happens after careful examination of all related components of the academic programs at various level, the training staff, their academic qualifications, experience, research activities, and other requirements.

In conclusion, academic accreditation is the same as program accreditation, and that it can be obtained even if the educational institution, university or college has not obtained institutional accreditation.

Professional accreditation:

"An integrated system aimed at ensuring the quality of teacher preparation, the quality of their work performance, and professional evaluation, on a continuous and regular basis, through licensing processes to practice the teaching profession."

The importance of academic accreditation

The importance of academic accreditation lies in its being an important way to prove the status and reputation of the educational institution, which motivates students, business owners, economic institutions, investors, public opinion, government institutions, and others wishing to join or deal with it.

Academic Accreditation Stages:

The academic accreditation process goes through a series of overlapping procedures, and the accreditation process may take a long time to obtain. There may be other procedures for the stages of academic accreditation, here is the most comprehensive and circulating in university circles that care about academic accreditation.

The first stage: (self-assessment)

The educational institution wishing to obtain accreditation shall prepare a detailed and comprehensive study of its current and future status in full. This study includes all the information related to its programs, administrative and financial structure, and the services it provides to the local community. This study is supported by all the necessary documents, in the form of appendices, tables and data that confirm the validity of this study.

This study is presented to the board of directors of accreditation, and is the responsibility of all employees of the educational institution. The self-study report consists of five components:

·         Basic information

·         Brief explanation of the educational institution's activity

·         Documentation of certain indicators that are included in the authority entrusted with granting accreditation.

·         Documentation of final return indicators for programs and services.

·         Self- assessment study

The Second Stage: (Field Visit)

The Accreditation Council forms a committee that examines and reviews the documents submitted by the educational institution, in light of which the committee, after verifying the submitted study, visits the educational institution, determines the purpose of the study in the field, conducts interviews with teaching staff, students, administrators and graduates, and prepares a report and evaluation that is submitted to the Accreditation Council, which is responsible for granting accreditation, and usually this committee or committees are composed of academic staff with experience in the field of accreditation.

Stage Three: (Final Decision)

The accreditation body examines all reports, comments and recommendations submitted by the educational institution, and the extent of the institution’s commitment to the required standards, and in light of which accreditation is granted if the reports turn to be positive.

The license may be withdrawn or not given if there are legal violations, or the institution provides incorrect information, or otherwise requires the withdrawal or non-approval of granting the accreditation certificate.