New CHEA standards address degree and accreditation mills

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by Anthony Pina, Sep 29, 2010.

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  1. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    CHEA's new Recognition Policy and Procedures was introduced today with the following announcement: "This standard also adds a new requirement that the accrediting organization assure the substantially equivalent application of accrediting standards to U.S. and non-U.S. institutions and programs (12B.9) and a new provision that accrediting organizations implement a practice of informing the public about the harm of degree mills and accreditation mills (12B.10)."

    Recognition Policy
     
  2. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Why is it the job of accreditors to educate the general public on those specific issues? That sounds like unwelcome mandated mission creep.
     
  3. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    I agree, though it is within the self interests of an accreditation agency to do so. I do not believe it should be mandated however.
     
  4. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    CHEA is a private, non-governmental association. There is no legal requirement for accreditors to seek CHEA recognition; it is completely voluntary. So nothing is "mandated" -- if an accreditor doesn't like the CHEA criteria, then they don't have to apply for CHEA recognition.

    In practice, many well-known accreditation agencies are not CHEA-recognized, and some well-known schools have no CHEA-recognized accreditation. For example, a number of standalone law schools (like UC Hastings) have their only accreditation from the American Bar Association -- which is not a CHEA-recognized accreditor.

    CHEA is an organization composed of approximately 3,000 US colleges and universities -- presumably accredited ones. From the perspective of the CHEA membership, it may be quite desirable to educate the general public on the advantages of studying at accredited schools.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 30, 2010
  5. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    True. There are agencies, like the ABA, that are recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education and have chosen not to seek CHEA recognition. There are others recognized by CHEA but not on the USDOE list.
     

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