Each Committee on Accreditation (CoA) in the CAAHEP system works directly with programs in its discipline throughout the accreditation process. As outlined in the CAAHEP Policy & Procedures, CoAs must utilize core elements in reviewing programs and formulating recommendations to CAAHEP. Below are core elements and a summary of the CAAHEP process. For more specific information on a particular profession, contact the CoA for the profession.
Each Committee on Accreditation (CoA) in the CAAHEP system works directly with programs in its discipline throughout the accreditation process. As outlined in the CAAHEP Policy & Procedures, CoAs must utilize core elements in reviewing programs and formulating recommendations to CAAHEP. Below are core elements and a summary of the CAAHEP process. For more specific information on a particular profession, contact the CoA for the profession.
The program submits the RAS form electronically through the CAAHEP website within 30 days of submission of the self-study report to the Committee on Accreditation(CoA). CAAHEP uses the RAS to verify that the program sponsor meets sponsorship requirements, including institutional accreditation and authorization to offer the allied health education program. The RAS serves as the program sponsor’s authorization for the program to participate in CAAHEP accreditation.
The self-study report is completed by the program, and documents how the program meets each of the Standards as outlined in the Standards and Guidelines document for the applicable profession. Each CoA develops the self-study document template that must be completed by the program for the applicable discipline.
Assigned representatives from the CoA review the self-study and provide feedback and/or consultation to the program, as needed.
The CoA assigns a team to conduct a site visit to assist with further determination of compliance with the Standards through verification and amplification of information and documentation provided in a program’s self-study. Activities include but are not limited to documentation and facilities review, and meetings with students, graduates, faculty, administration, and advisory committee members. Site visits may be on-site (in-person), virtual (synchronous video), or hybrid (a mixture of on-site and virtual).
This program is notified of site visit findings in writing and provided an opportunity to respond to the findings with evidence demonstrating resolution of identified areas of non-compliance or correction of factual errors.
The CoA reviews the site visit findings and the program’s response to findings to determine the degree of compliance with each of the Standards and formulates an accreditation recommendation to forward to the CAAHEP Board for review and action. In some cases, additional information/ clarification may be requested by the CoA before making a recommendation to CAAHEP. Programs are not typically notified of the recommendation; instead, theythose findings to determine the degree of compliance with each of the Standards and to formulatethey are contacted directly by CAAHEP following the meeting at which action was taken to determine the degree of compliance with each of the Standards and to formulatethose findings to determine the degree of compliance with each of the Standards and to formulate are contacted directly by CAAHEP following the meeting at which action was taken.
If the CoA recommends withhold accreditation, probation, or withdraw accreditation, it must first notify the program in writing of the negative recommendation before forwarding it to CAAHEP. The program is given the opportunity to submit additional information and request CoA reconsideration, or may voluntarily withdrawal accreditation or the initial application, before final consideration by CAAHEP.
The CAAHEP Board of Directors reviews all recommendations received from each of its CoAs and takes action on the recommendations at one of its six meetings per year (January, March, May, July, September, and November).
Letters notifying programs of the CAAHEP Board’s decision are electronically distributed to the President, Dean, and Program Directors of the institution/program the week following the meeting. The program listing on the CAAHEP website is updated with the accreditation status and reason for the action within 30 days of the decision.
CoAs evaluate information submitted by programs to demonstrate continued compliance with the Standards, including but not limited to annual report and progress reports.
