Has any one heard of Rocky Mountain University? They are currently not accredited. Statements about their accreditation are posted below from their web site. The school appears to be solid and is health professions based. Although I am not considering it but it may be of interest to those in clinical and clinical support professions. It looks like it may be able to get accreditation in the near future. Godwin Accreditation Status July 2003 Regional Accreditation continues to be the primary goal at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. Since beginning our self-study in April 2002, following the unconditional acceptance of our application for consideration for candidacy by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NWASC), we have reached all milestones set forth according to the original accreditation timeline. We have set goals, mapped timelines, enlisted task forces, collected and analyzed data, and met often to coordinate these efforts. As recently as July 14, 2003, we happily announce that we are on target for submission of our self-study packet to the NWASC and have set an even more aggressive submission date than anticipated. We will submit our packet to the NWASC on February 14, 2004. Our goal is to achieve candidacy status in the summer of 2004. Not only is candidacy status significant in the academic arena, but it also opens doors to federal student loans and other forms of tuition assistance. We are continuing the report writing process for each of the nine accreditation standards required by the NWASC. Our task forces are focused, qualified, and dedicated to the accreditation process. We are confident in our progress thus far and expect continued positive feedback as we progress. We welcome your questions and comments regarding accreditation and look forward to updating you in the future. January 2003 From the initial conceptual stages of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, accreditation has been the primary developmental goal. After researching various available accreditation approaches, the founders of the University determined that the reputation and credibility of gaining Regional Accreditation through the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NWASC) was essential to the academic integrity of an institution of higher learning. Having received our first copy of the regional accrediting standards in 1996, we have since attempted to comply with all components of accreditation in all decisions that are made. In October 2001, Dr. Pat Ford joined us as our accreditation consultant. Dr. Ford served for six years as Chair of the Commission and was a Commissioner from 1989 until January 2002. Dr. Ford has extensive understanding and experience relative to higher education accreditation. He was instrumental in the review process of our initial Application for Consideration of Candidacy to the NWASC, which we submitted in December 2001. This submission was the compilation of over six years of work and was submitted with the excitement and expectation of approval. The University was proud when the application was accepted with no provisions and it received approval to move forward with the self-study stage of accreditation in March 2002. Along with the acceptance, the University received positive feedback regarding the quality of the application. Immediately, under the guidance of Dr. Ford and the NWASC, the University assembled a self-study steering committee, task forces, and timelines to take us step-by-step to full accreditation. These timelines include the submission of the self-study packet for candidacy in February 2004 with the hope of a Candidacy visit later in the spring, and the conferral of Candidacy Status in June of 2004. Once Candidacy is achieved, the University anticipates undertaking the full self-study preparatory to the Accreditation visit sometime in the spring of 2006. This schedule contemplates the achievement of full accreditation status by the summer of 2006.Thus far, we are on schedule with our data analysis and collection and are moving forward toward meeting our self-study objectives. We have been told by the NWASC that a new university could take as long as 10 or more years to become fully accredited. This year (2003) represents our eighth year since our first contact With NWASC. In addition to continued guidance from our consultant, the VPAA/Provost and new Dean of the School of Rehabilitation Sciences recently attended a Self-Study Workshop, sponsored by the NWASC in Seattle, Washington. Attendance at the Workshop updated RMUoHP on new accreditation requirements, current successful approaches used by other schools and colleges, and gave additional direction in the accreditation process. Because of the feedback we’ve received, the stellar individuals supporting our pursuit, and the academic quality of the University, we do not foresee any obstacles in accomplishing our goal. Regional Accreditation remains our primary objective and we will continue to update you on our progress. http://www.rmuohp.edu/
Hi Godwin: It certainly looks impressive--quite a faculty list. The statement you quoted on applying for accreditation appears quite sober and factual. I hope posters with real expertise in the accreditation process will comment.
Hi Janko, I hope someone comments on the accreditation process. I think if one obtains a degree now before the school is accredited by 2006 (if all things go well for them), the degree may be deemed accredited since no school may be accredited until it has graduted some students (that is my understanding). Any thoughts?
