Accreditation Processes

PAASCU accreditation is a voluntary process and does not prescribe any specific practice. As such, schools or institutions apply for PAASCU accreditation when they believe they are ready based on their compliance with PAASCU accreditation criteria and standards.

An institution or program seeking accreditation from PAASCU must complete these six (6) major steps in the accreditation process:

1. The Institutional Self-Survey

   This is a thorough, rigorous, and comprehensive self-assessment of the institution’s educational resources and effectiveness made by in-house members of the school. It is a major undertaking that takes at least six (6) months to two (2) years to complete where members of different area committees appointed by the administration, conduct a fair and objective assessment of how well the institution has achieved its philosophy and objectives for self-improvement, and how the school complies with PAASCU criteria, standards, and requirements. 

   The documented results of the institution’s self-assessment are presented to PAASCU in the Self-Survey Report which records and describes the salient features. This Self-Survey Report is supported by institutional materials,  evidence to substantiate the claims of the institution and will serve as the basis for evaluation by the Accreditation Team. 

2. The Consultancy Visit (only for those who will undertake a Preliminary Visit)

   A school applying for a Preliminary Survey is not placed on the visit-ready list until PAASCU, through the relevant Commission, has reviewed the school’s application and the Self-Survey Report.  The Commission will assign a consultant to assist the applicant school in properly accomplishing the survey forms and in determining whether or not the school has complied with PAASCU requirements and standards. The consultant also assists the school in identifying the documents that should be prepared and exhibited for the Accreditation Team.  Based on the consultant’s assessment, PAASCU will be informed of the earliest time the school can be visited by the Accreditation Team for a Preliminary Survey.

3. The Preliminary Survey Visit

   A group of five (5) to eight (8) accreditors who have the expertise in the program or programs to be evaluated conduct the accreditation visit for two (2) days.  Following PAASCU procedures, the evaluation done by the Accreditation Team seeks to assess the school, in light of the self-survey based on the standards for accreditation. The Team takes a general look at the school situation, validates the Self-Survey Report through interviews with school members and examination of school documents/exhibits, studies the recommendations presented in the Self-Survey Report, cites the best features of the different areas, and makes recommendations. Once a school or program is judged ready for a Formal Survey Visit, it is granted “Candidate” status for a two (2)-year period.

4. The Formal Survey Visit

   This is conducted by a Team of from six (6) to eight (8) accreditors one (1) year after the Preliminary Visit. The Visit usually lasts for two (2) days and follows the same process of interviewing school members and examining submitted documents and evidence. The Accreditation Team, however, now cite the action taken by the school on the recommendations given by the Preliminary Survey Team. As in the Preliminary Visit, the team also identifies the areas’ best features and makes its recommendations when necessary. A school or program granted formal accreditation is given Level I accredited status for three (3) years.

5. Initial Accreditation Status Granted

   Upon favorable evaluation and recommendation by the Accreditation Team and the relevant PAASCU Commission, the PAASCU Board of Trustees grants initial accreditation for three (3) years. Accreditation indicates overall excellence in the delivery of programs and services and has no major deficiencies that compromise its educational effectiveness. With this initial accreditation, the institution becomes a full member of PAASCU.

6.  Full Accreditation Status Granted

   After the three (3)-year period, the institution/program undertakes another institutional self-evaluation and is visited by a Re-Survey Team. A favorable re-evaluation after the initial 3-year accreditation period merits for the institution/ program full accreditation for five (5) years. Full accreditation indicates optimal compliance with PAASCU criteria/standards and demonstrates the institution’s/program’s overall excellence in the delivery of programs and services. The institution or program is also granted Level II re-accredited status at this time.