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The 2024 Guide to Accreditation for Higher Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disability
  • Overview
    • Table of Contents
    • Preface
    • Acknowledgements
  • Section 1
    • Introduction to Accreditation
      • Purposes and Goals of Accreditation
      • Accreditation Eligibility
  • Section 2
    • The Accreditation Process
      • Phase 1: Pre-accreditation Activities (Steps 1–3)
      • Phase 2: Application and Self-Study (Steps 4–6)
      • Phase 3: Site Visit and Accreditation Determination (Steps 7-9)
  • Section 3
    • Program Standards, Guidance, and Evidence Required for Review
      • Program Accreditation Standards
        • Mission Standards
        • Student Achievement Standards
        • Curriculum Standards
        • Faculty and Staff Standards
        • Facility, Equipment, and Supply Standards
        • Administrative and Fiscal Capacity Standards
        • Student Services Standards
        • Length and Structure of Program of Study Standards
        • Student Complaints Standards
        • Program Development, Planning, and Review Standard
  • Appendix
    • Glossary of Terms and Definitions
    • Acronym Key
    • Appendix A. Tables and Charts
      • Table 1. Student Enrollment and Graduates
      • Table 2. Program Staffing
      • Table 3. Retention Rate
      • Table 4. Facilities Checklist
      • Table 5. Faculty Professional Development
      • Table 6. Program Management and Leadership
      • Table 7. Training for Additional Individuals who Provide Supports to Students
      • Table 8. Training on Universal Design for Learning
      • Table 9. Current Budget and Projected Budget
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  1. Section 1
  2. Introduction to Accreditation

Accreditation Eligibility

PreviousPurposes and Goals of AccreditationNextThe Accreditation Process

Last updated 1 year ago

Review the following questions to determine if your program meets the criteria to apply for accreditation. The IHEAC accredits programs at accredited institutions of higher education (IHE) that serve students with intellectual disability (ID) as defined in the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (as amended, HEA).

Programs must meet all the criteria to apply for accreditation.

To apply for accreditation, the program must:­­

  1. be located at and operated by an accredited public or nonprofit private IHE

  2. serve students with ID as defined in the HEA

  3. meet the criteria for a Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program (CTP) in the HEA. (The program does not need to be an approved CTP program.)

  4. be operating for at least three consecutive years immediately prior to application

  5. graduate a minimum of two cohorts of students

  6. award an educational credential issued by the IHE (e.g., degree, certificate, or non-degree credential)

Readiness for embarking on the accreditation process also involves ensuring support and internal administrative approval to undergo the accreditation process and identifying the support you will need to pursue the accreditation process.


If you have questions about whether your program meets these criteria, contact us at: .

Depending on your program’s readiness, the full pre-accreditation and accreditation process could take 12– 24 months. We provide an overview of the process in of the Guide.

iheac@iheacouncil.org
Section 2