ACCREDITATION: The Facts by Stephen P. Thomas, CCP Many students are cunfused by this thing called accreditation. Most don't know that it is NOT government approval, or even the guarantee of quality. It is a specific process, with specific rules, that produces a specific result, and all this may be unclear. This confusion is made worse by several schools that claim "accreditation", but upon closer examination we find that the agency that accredits these schools is not legitimately recognized. Kind of like having a college accredited by "Joe's garage, janitorial service, and accrediting agency"! Since the ONLY reason for accreditation is recognition, it is totally ineffective to be accredited by one of these accreditors. So, to shed a little light on the process, I wrote this essay. Accreditation is designed as process that determines the adequacy of a school's curriculum, financial stability, facilities, etc. In the United States, there is no government law or agency that accredits schools, and accreditation is a totally voluntary process a school CAN go through. There are many good schools that do not choose to be accredited, in many cases because they offer ALL their education by distance education, and some of the criteria for accreditation deal with number of classrooms, number of books in the library, etc., things that don't apply to distance learning. Anyway, virtually ALL of the on-campus schools ARE accredited, and many that offer on-campus AND distance learning are accredited. Accreditation is used, probably wrongly in some cases, by most accredited schools as a barometer of whether a school is legitimate or not. So, if you have a degree from an accredited school, you can use it as a foundation for advanced work in another accredited school. If your undergraduate degree is from an unaccredited school, the accredited schools will not accept it as a general rule. Who does the accrediting? Well, there are a lot of organizations that CLAIM to be accrediting bodies. Since the whole reason for accreditation is recognition by other accredited schools, being accredited by an accrediting body that isn't recognized doesn't make sense. There are two organizations that recognize accrediting agencies: The Committee on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation (CORPA) and The US Dept. of Education Eligibility and Agency Evaluation Staff (EAES). One or the other of these recognizes all the accreditors. These are the "accreditor accreditors", and if an accreditor isn't recognized by one of these, they are NOT accredited, no matter WHAT the school's literature says! Accreditation by any non-recognized accreditor is WORTHLESS for acceptance by traditional schools and for government aid purposes. DON'T BE FOOLED! Anyway, who are these "recognized" accreditors? Well, there are several: There is one national accreditor, which accredits distance training schools: The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) There are six REGIONAL accreditors, that accredit on-campus schools (or those with on-campus and distance learning programs). Each accredits schools in a particular region of the country, and all have slightly different rules (I DID say it was confusing ): Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools. New England Association of Schools and Colleges. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. Southern Assiciation of Colleges and Schools. Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Remember, these are PRIVATE organizations, not governmental organizations. Most states ALSO approve schools who offer degrees in their state, but they aren't usually concerned with the curriculum, but only make sure the school is legitimate (has a real address, real faculty, financial stability, etc.). All states accept accreditation from a RECOGNIZED accreditor as proof of ability to operate within their state (makes sense, since the accreditor checks the financial stability and legitimacy of the schools they accredit, so the state doesn't have to). All other schools, those that are not accredited, but that are legitimate, are APPROVED by their state. So, if a school claims to be APPROVED by their state (some states have slightly different wording), they are most likely not accredited. There IS a difference between approval and accreditation. Also, each state sets it's own criteria for approval. This means that some states are easier to get approved in than others (California, Louisiana, and Hawaii are very easy, which is why many unaccredited schools operate from there, even thought things are changing in CA). Some states don't do approval at all, but require accreditation. Accreditation is NOT required of a school, it is a voluntary process. Since the accreditation process focuses on things TRADITIONAL schools value, such as number of books in the library or number of acres of campus, some schools choose NOT to become accredited. These are usually non-traditional schools that don't even HAVE campus facilities. There is nothing inately superior about a school that has a campus, library books, and traditional programs. The non-traditional schools can provide good education, but because of their structure may not be good candidates for accreditation. So, what does this mean to you? Accreditation is not required for a school to be a "good" schools and provide quality education, but it DOES have it's place. Since accreditation is designed to ensure quality in traditional educational institutions, most traditional schools consider it a necessity. So, you WILL want to get your degree from an accredited institution if you want to (1) Teach at a traditional institution, or (2) transfer credits to an accredited institution. For most other purposes, including most business dealings, accreditation is a non-issue; very few employers or clients will check up on your degree, and the ones that do MAY call the school to see if you really went there, and (rarely) ask for a transcript (in 15 years in the business world, the author has NEVER had anyone check with the schools he attended to see if they're legitimate. ed). Traditional educators, however, consider it a necessity, and won't recognize a degree from an unaccredited institution. In short, if you want to teach or transfer to an accredited institution, get a degree from an accredited institution. If you want the degree for other purposes, you are free to look at accredited or unaccredited institutions. In either case, you can be proud of your educational achievement, and proudly lay claim to your degree and title. Stephen P. Thomas, CCP, is president of SPT Enterprises, Consultants and Educatiors. He has extensive experience as a consultant, professional speaker, professional educator, and author. ---------- Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies and Associations --------------------------------------------------------------------------- An institution or program must have some link to an accrediting agency that is recognized by the Department in order for its students to be eligible for federal student financial assistance. The Accrediting Agency Evaluation Branch does not maintain a list of accredited institutions. Check with individual institutions or programs, or look in their published literature, to learn which agencies accredit them. For current accreditation information regarding individual institutions or their programs, please contact the appropriate accrediting agency from the list below. If an agency is not listed below, it is not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The following regional and national accrediting agencies and associations are recognized by the Department of Education as reliable authorities concerning the quality of education or training offered by the institutions of higher education or higher education programs they accredit. The dates specified for each entry are the date of initial listing as a nationally recognized agency or association, the date of the Secretary's most recent grant of renewed recognition based on the Advisory Committee's last full review of the agency, and the date of the agency's next scheduled review for renewal of recognition. THIS LIST IS CURRENT AS OF JANUARY 1997 Background Information Overview of Accreditation in the U.S. The Department's Role in Accreditation The Advisory Committee Function Next Advisory Committee Meeting --------------------------------------------------------------------------- REGIONAL INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITING ASSOCIATION Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont: New England Association of Schools and Colleges 1952/1992/1997 Vincent Ferrandino, Executive Director 209 Burlington Road Bedford, Massachusetts 01730-1433 Phone: (617) 271-0022 FAX: (617) 271-0950 Commission on Institutions of Higher Education New England Association of Schools and Colleges Charles Cook, Director Commission on Vocational, Technical, Career Institutions New England Association of Schools and Colleges Richard Mandeville, Director --------------------------------------------------------------------------- REGIONAL INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITING COMMISSIONS Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands: Commission on Higher Education Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools 1952/1996/2001 Jean Avent Morse, Executive Director 3624 Market Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 Phone: (215) 662-5606 FAX: (215) 662-5950 Commission on Secondary Schools Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools 1988/1996/1998 Joseph J. DeLucia, Executive Director 3624 Market Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 Phone: (215) 662-5606 FAX: (215) 662-5905 Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming: Commission on Institutions of Higher Education North Central Association of Colleges and Schools 1952/1992/1997 Patricia A.Thrash, Executive Director 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400 Chicago, Illinois 60602 Phones: (312) 263-0456 or (800) 621-7440 FAX: (312) 263-7462 Commission on Schools North Central Association of Colleges and Schools 1974/1992/1997 Kenneth F. Gose, Executive Director Arizona State University Tempe, Arizona 85287-3011 Phone: (800) 525-9517 FAX: (602) 965-9423 Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington: Commission on Colleges Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges 1952/1992/1997 Sandra E. Elman, Executive Director 11130 N.E. 33rd Place, Suite 120 Seattle, Washington 98004 Phone: (206) 827-2005 FAX: (206) 827-3395 Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia: Commission on Colleges Southern Association of Colleges and Schools 1952/1995/1999 James T. Rogers, Executive Director 1866 Southern Lane Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 Phones: (404) 679-4501 Ext. 512 or (800) 248-7701 FAX: (404) 679-4558 California, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges 1952/1992/1997 David B. Wolf, Executive Director 3402 Mendocino Avenue Santa Rosa, California 95403 Phone: (707) 569-9177 FAX: (707) 569-9179 Accrediting Commission for Schools Western Association of Schools and Colleges 1974/1995/1999 Donald G. Haught, Executive Director 533 Airport Boulevard, Suite 200 Burlingame, California 94010 Phone: (415) 696-1060 FAX: 415-375-7790 Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities Western Association of Schools and Colleges 1952/1995/1998 Ralph Wolff, Executive Director c/o Mills College, Box 9990 Oakland, California 94613-0990 Phone: (510) 632-5000 FAX: (510) 632-8361 NATIONAL INSTITUTIONAL AND SPECIALIZED ACCREDITING BODIES ACUPUNCTURE First professional master's degree and professional master's level certificate and diploma programs in acupuncture and oriental medicine: National Accreditation Commission for Schools and Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine 1988/1995/1999 Dort S. Bigg, Executive Director 1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1270 Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 Phone: (301) 608-9680 FAX: (301) 608-9576 ALLIED HEALTH, GENERAL Private, postsecondary institutions offering allied health education: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools 1982/1995/1998 Carol Moneymaker, Administrator 2700 South Quincy Street, Suite 210 Arlington, Virginia 22206 Phone: (703) 998-1200 FAX: (703) 998-2550 ALLIED HEALTH, OTHER Health education programs for the following: * Cytotechnologist * Diagnostic Medical Sonographer * Electroneurodiagnostic Technologist * Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic * Perfusionist * Physician Assistant * Respiratory Therapist & Respiratory Therapy Technician * Surgical Technologist Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs* 1952/1996/1998 L. M. Detmer, Secretary 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1970 Chicago, Illinois 60601-2208 Phone: (312) 553-9355 FAX: (312) 553-9616 *The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is recognized as a coordinating agency for accreditation of education for the allied health occupations listed above. In carrying out its accreditation activities, CAAHEP cooperates with the Committees on Accreditation sponsored by various allied health and medical specialty organizations. For information concerning the cooperating review committee, refer to the disciplines as listed separately below. Other allied health disciplines accredited by agencies recognized by the Department outside the aegis of CAAHEP are listed elsewhere in this brochure. CYTOTECHNOLOGY (CAAHEP*) Programs for the cytotechnologist: Cytotechnology Programs Review Committee American Society of Cytopathology 1974/1996/1998 Shirley Indictor, Secretary 400 West 9th Street, Suite 201 Wilmington, Delaware 19801 Phone: (302) 429-8802 FAX: (302) 429-8807 DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY (CAAHEP*) Programs for the diagnostic medical sonographer: Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (sponsored by the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Radiology, the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, the American Society of Echocardiography, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, and the Society of Vascular Technology), 1983/1996/1998 Annamarie Dubies-Appel, Executive Director 7108-C South Alton Way Englewood, Colorado 80112-2901 Phone: (303) 694-6191 FAX: (303) 741-3655 ELECTRONEURODIAGNOSTIC TECHNOLOGY (CAAHEP*) Programs for the electroneurodiagnostic technologist: Joint Review Committee on Education in Electroneurodiagnostic Technology (sponsored by the American Electroencephalographic Society and the American Society of Electroneurodiagnostic Technologists) 1983/1996/1998 Becky Appenzeller, Executive Secretary Route 1, Box 62 A Genoa, Wisconsin 54632 Phone: (608) 689-2058 FAX: None EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (CAAHEP*) Programs for the emergency medical technician-paramedic: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs for the EMT-Paramedic (sponsored by the American College of Emergency Physicians, the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, the American College of Cardiology, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the National Council of State EMS Coordinators) 1983/1996/1998 Annamarie Dubies-Appel, Executive Secretary 7108-C South Alton Way, Suite 150 Englewood, Colorado 80112-2106 Phone: (303) 694-6191 FAX: (303) 741-3655 PERFUSION (CAAHEP*) Programs for the perfusionist: Accreditation Committee for Perfusion Education (sponsored by the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, the American Society of Extracorporeal Technology, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, the Perfusion Program Directors Council) 1983/1996/1998 Annamarie Dubies-Appel, Executive Director 7108-C South Alton Way Englewood, Colorado 80112-2106 Phone: (303) 694-6191 FAX: (303) 741-3655 PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT EDUCATION (CAAHEP*) Programs for the physician assistant: Accreditation Review Committee on Education for Physician Assistant (sponsored by the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American College of Physicians, the American College of Surgeons, and the Association for Physician Assistant Programs, the American Medical Association) 1974/1996/1998 John E. McCarty, Executive Director 1000 North Oak Avenue Marshfield, Wisconsin 54449-5788 Phone: (715) 389-3785 FAX: (715) 389-3131 RESPIRATORY THERAPY (CAAHEP*) Programs for the respiratory therapist and respirator therapy technician: Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education (sponsored by the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the American Thoracic Society 1974/1996/1998 Richard T. Walker, Executive Director 1701 West Euless Boulevard, Suite 300 Euless, Texas 76040 Phone: (817) 283-2835 or (800) 874-5615 FAX: (817) 354-8519 SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY (CAAHEP*) Programs for the surgical technologist: Accreditation Review Committee for the Surgical Technologist (sponsored by the American College of Surgeons, the American Hospital Association, and the Association of Surgical Technologists) 1978/1996/1998 Annamarie Dubies-Appel, Accreditation Manager 7108 C South Alton Way Englewood, Colorado 80112-2106 Phone: (303) 694-6191 FAX: (303) 741-3655 ART AND DESIGN Degree-granting schools and departments and non-degree granting schools that are predominantly organized to offer education in art, design, or art/design-related disciplines: Commission on Accreditation National Association of Schools of Art and Design 1966/1992/1997 Samuel Hope, Executive Director 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21 Reston, Virginia 22090 Phone: (703) 437-0700 FAX: (703) 437-6312 BIBLE COLLEGE EDUCATION Bible colleges and institutes offering undergraduate programs: Commission on Accrediting Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges 1952/1996/2000 Randall E. Bell, Executive Director Box 1523 Fayetteville, Arkansas 72702 Phone: (501) 521-8164 FAX: (501) 521-9202 BUSINESS Private postsecondary schools, junior colleges, and senior colleges that are predominantly organized to educate students for business careers, including master's degree programs in senior colleges of business as well as independent, freestanding institutions offering only graduate business and business-related programs at the master's degree level: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools 1956/1995/1999 Stephen D. Parker, Executive Director 750 First Street, NE, Suite 980 Washington, DC 20002-4242 Phone: (202) 336-6780 FAX: (202) 842-2593 CHIROPRACTIC Programs leading to the D.C. degree: Commission on Accreditation The Council on Chiropractic Education 1974/1992/1997 Paul D. Walker, Executive Vice President 7975 North Hayden Road, Suite A-210 Scottsdale, Arizona 85258 Phone: (602) 443-8877 FAX: (602) 483-7333 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Christian postsecondary institutions that offer certificates, diplomas and associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees: Accrediting Commission Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools 1991/1996/1999 Earl A. Mills, Executive Director P.O. Box 328 Forest, Virginia 24551 Phone: (804) 525-9539 FAX: (804) 525-9538 CONTINUING EDUCATION Non-collegiate continuing education institutions and programs: Accrediting Commission Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training 1978/1994/1997 Roger Williams, Executive Director 1200 Nineteenth Street, NW, Suite 200 Washington, DC 20036 Phone: (202) 955-1113 FAX: (202) 955-1118 COSMETOLOGY Postsecondary schools and departments of cosmetology arts and sciences: National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences 1970/1996/1999 Mark Gross, Chief Executive Officer 901 North Stuart Street, Suite 900 Arlington, Virginia 22203 Phone: (703) 527-7600 FAX: (703) 527-8811 CYTOTECHNOLOGY Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (See listing under ALLIED HEALTH, OTHER.) DANCE Institutions and units within institutions offering degree-granting and non-degree-granting programs in dance and dance-related disciplines: Commission on Accreditation National Association of Schools of Dance 1983/1991/1997 Samuel Hope, Executive Director 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21 Reston, Virginia 22090 Phone: (703) 437-0700 FAX: (703) 437-6312 DENTAL AND DENTAL AUXILIARY PROGRAMS Programs leading to the DDS or DMD degree, advanced general dentistry and specialty programs, general practice residency programs and programs in dental hygiene, dental assisting and dental technology: Commission on Dental Accreditation American Dental Association 1952/1995/2000 James J. Koelbl Associate Executive Director, Education Commission on Dental Accreditation American Dental Association 211 East Chicago Avenue, 18th Floor Chicago, Illinois 60611 Phone: (312) 440-2500 or (800) 621-8099 FAX: (312) 440-2915 DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (See listing under ALLIED HEALTH, OTHER.) DIETETICS Coordinated undergraduate programs in dietetics and post- baccalaureate dietetic internships: Division of Education Accreditation/Approval The American Dietetic Association 1974/1996/2000 Beverly E. Mitchell, Administrator Department of Education, ADA 216 West Jackson Blvd., Suite 800 Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995 Phone: (312) 899-4872 FAX: (312) 899-1758 DISTANCE EDUCATION AND TRAINING Home study schools (including associate, baccalaureate, or master's degree-granting home study schools): Accrediting Commission Distance Education and Training Council (formerly the National Home Study Council) 1959/1996/2000 Michael P. Lambert, Executive Secretary 1601 18th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 Phone: (202) 234-5100 FAX: (202) 332-1386 ELECTRONEURODIAGNOSTIC TECHNOLOGY Joint Review Committe on Education in Electroneurodiagnostic Technology (see listing under ALLIED HEALTH, OTHER.) EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs for the EMT-Paramedic (see listing under ALLIED HEALTH, OTHER.) ENGINEERING Basic (baccalaureate) and advanced (master's) level programs in engineering, associate and baccalaureate degree programs in engineering technology, and engineering-related programs at the baccalaureate and advanced degree level: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. 1952/1992/1997 George D. Peterson, Executive Director 111 Market Place, Suite 1050 Baltimore, Maryland 21202 Phone: (410) 347-7700 FAX: (410) 625-2238 ENVIRONMENT Baccalaureate programs in environmental health science and protection: National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council 1995/1996/1998 Patricia Cancellier, Executive Director 6307 Huntover Lane Rockville, Maryland 20852 Phone: (301) 231-5205 FAX: None FUNERAL SERVICE EDUCATION Institutions and programs awarding diplomas, associate degrees and bachelor's degrees: Committee on Accreditation American Board of Funeral Service Education 1972/1992/1997 Gordon S. Bigelow, Executive Director 13 Gurnet Road, #316 P.O. Box 1305 Brunswick, Maine 04011 Phone: (207) 798-5801 FAX: (207) 798-5988 HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION Graduate programs in health services administration: Accrediting Commission on Education for Health Services Administration 1970/1995/2000 Patrick M. Sobczak, President 1911 North Fort Myer Drive, Suite 503 Arlington, Virginia 22209 Phone: (703) 524-0511 FAX: (703) 525-4791 HISTOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY Programs for the histologic technician/technologist: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (sponsored by the American Society for Medical Technology and the American Society of Clinical Pathologists) 1974/1996/1999 Cynthia Wells, Chairman 8410 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670 Chicago, Illinois 60631 Phone: (312) 714-8880 FAX: (312) 714-8886 INTERIOR DESIGN Two-year preprofessional assistant level programs (certificate and associate degree), first professional degree level programs (master's and baccalaureate degree and three-year certificate) and post-professional master's degree programs: Committee on Accreditation Foundation for Interior Design Education Research 1976/1992/1997 Kayem Dunn, Executive Director 60 Monroe Center, NW, Suite 300 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503-2920 Phone: (616) 458-0400 FAX: (616) 458-0460 JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATIONS Units within institutions offering professional undergraduate and graduate (master's) degree programs: Accrediting Committee Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications 1952/1996/2001 Susanne Shaw, Executive Director University of Kansas School of Journalism Stauffer-Flint Hall Lawrence, Kansas 66045 Phone: (913) 864-3986 FAX: (913) 864-5225 LAW Professional schools of law: Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar American Bar Association 1952/1992/1997 James P. White Consultant on Legal Education, ABA Indiana University 550 West North Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 Phone: (317) 264-8340 FAX: (317) 264-8355 LIBERAL EDUCATION Institutions of higher education and programs within institutions of higher education that offer liberal arts degree(s) at the baccalaureate level or a documented equivalency: American Academy for Liberal Education 1995/1997 Jeffrey D. Wallin, President 1015 18th Street, NW, Suite 204 Washington, DC 20036 Phone: (202) 452-8611 FAX: (202) 452-8620 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY Graduate degree programs and clinical training programs: Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy 1978/1995/2000 Colleen Peterson, Executive Director Commission on Accreditation 1133 15th Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20005-2710 Phone: (202) 452-0109 FAX: (202) 232-2329 MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN EDUCATION Schools and programs for the medical laboratory technician: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (See listing under ALLIED HEALTH, GENERAL.) Associate degree and certificate programs for the medical laboratory technician: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (See listing under HISTOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY.) MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY Professional programs: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (See listing under HISTOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY.) MEDICINE Programs leading to the M.D. degree: Liaison Committee on Medical Education of the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association and the American Medical Colleges 1952/1991/1997 The LCME is administered in odd-numbered years, beginning each July 1, by: Harry S. Jonas, Secretary, LCME American Medical Association 515 North State Street Chicago,Illinois 60610 Phone: (312) 464-4657 FAX: (312) 464-5830 The LCME is administered in even-numbered years, beginning each July 1, by: Donald G. Kassebaum, Secretary, LCME Association of American Medical Colleges 2450 N Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20037 Phone: (202) 828-0596 FAX: (202) 828-1125 MONTESSORI EDUCATION Montessori teacher education programs and institutions: Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education 1995/1997 Sandi McDonald-West, Acting Executive Director Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education 225 South Lake Avenue Pasadena, California 91101 Phone: (817) 488-2138 FAX: (817) 566-1640 MUSIC Institutions and units within institutions offering degree- granting and non-degree granting programs in music and music-related disciplines including community/junior colleges and independent degree-granting institutions: Commission on Accreditation Commission on Non-Degree-Granting Accreditation Commission on Community/Junior College Accreditation National Association of Schools of Music 1952/1992/1997 Samuel Hope, Executive Director 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21 Reston, Virginia 22090 Phone: (703) 437-0700 FAX: (703) 437-6312 NATUROPATHY Programs leading to the N.D. or N.M.D. degree: Council on Naturopathic Medical Education 1987/1995/1999 Robert Lofft, Executive Director P. O. Box 11426 Eugene, Oregon 97440-3626 Phone: (541) 484-6028 FAX: (541) NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGY Programs for the nuclear medicine technologist: Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology 1974/1995/1999 Elaine Cuklanz, Executive Director 1144 West 3300 South Salt Lake City, Utah 84119-3330 Phone: (801) 975-1144 FAX: (801) 975-7872 NURSE ANESTHETISTS Generic nurse anesthesia educational programs/schools: Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs American Association of Nurse Anesthetists 1955/1996/2001 Betty J. Horton, Director of Accreditation 222 South Prospect, Suite 304 Park Ridge, Illinois 60068-4010 Phone: (847) 692-7050 FAX: (847) 693-7137 NURSE-MIDWIVES Basic certificate and graduate nurse-midwifery education programs for registered nurses, as well as the accreditation and preaccreditation of pre-certification nurse-midwifery education programs: Division of Accreditation American College of Nurse-Midwives 1982/1995/2000 Helen Varney Burst, Chair Division of Accreditation Nurse-Midwifery Program 818 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 900 Washington, DC 20006 Phone: (202) 728-9877 FAX: (202) 728-9897 NURSE PRACTITIONERS Women's health nurse practitioners' programs located within the United States and U.S. territories: Council on Accreditation National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Reproductive Health 1996/1998 Susan Wysocki, Executive Director 2401 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 350 Washington, DC 20027-1718 Phone: (202) 466-4825 FAX: (202) 466-3826 NURSING Programs in practical nursing, and diploma, associate, baccalaureate and higher degree nurse education programs: Board of Review for Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs Board of Review for Diploma Programs Board of Review for Practical Nursing Programs Board of Review for Associate Degree Programs National League for Nursing, Inc. 1952/1995/1997 Patricia Moccia, Chief Executive Officer 350 Hudson Street New York, New York 10014 Phone: (800) 669-1656 FAX: (212) 989-3710 OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION Private, postsecondary degree and non-degree-granting institutions that are predominantly organized to educate students for trade, occupational, or technical careers: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology 1967/1995/1999 Thomas A. Kube, Executive Director 2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 302 Arlington, VA 22201 Phone: (703) 247-4212 FAX: (202) 842-2585 Non-degree granting postsecondary occupational/vocational institutions and those postsecondary occupational/vocational education institutions currently accredited by the following agency that either have state authorization to grant the applied associate degree in specific vocational/occupational fields at the present time or that receive such authorization during the current two-year recognition period: Council on Occupational Education (formerly the Commission on Occupational Education Institutions of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) 1969/1995/1997 Harry L. Bowman, Executive Director 41 Perimeter Center East, NE, Suite 640 Atlanta, Georgia 30346 Phone: (770) 396-3898 or (800) 917-2081 FAX: (770) 396-3790 OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY Professional Programs: Accreditation Committee American Occupational Therapy Association 1952/1995/2000 Brena Manoly, Acting Director Accreditation Department 4720 Montgomery Lane P.O. Box 31220 Bethesda, Maryland 20824-1220 Phone: (301) 652-2682 FAX: (301) 652-7711 OPTICIANRY Two-year programs for the ophthalmic dispenser and one-year programs for the ophthalmic laboratory technician: Commission on Opticianry Accreditation 1985/1992/1997 Floyd H. Holmgrain, Jr., Executive Director 10111 Martin Luther King, Jr. Highway, Suite 100 Bowie, Maryland 20720-4299 Phone: (301) 459-8075 FAX: (301)577-3880 OPTOMETRY Professional optometric degree programs, optometric residency programs, and optometric technician programs: Council on Optometric Education American Optometric Association 1952/1992/1997 Joyce Urbeck, Manager 243 North Lindbergh Boulevard St. Louis, Missouri 63141 Phone: (314) 991-4100 FAX: (314) 991-4101 OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Programs leading to the D.O. degree: Bureau of Professional Education American Osteopathic Association 1952/1995/2000 Conrad Retz, Interim Secretary Department of Education 142 East Ontario Street Chicago, Illinois 60611 Phone: (312) 280-5800 FAX: (312) 280-3860 PASTORAL EDUCATION Basic, advanced, and supervisory clinical pastoral education programs: Accreditation Commission Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. 1969/1991/1997 Russell H. Davis, Executive Director 1549 Claremont Road, Suite 103 Decatur, Georgia 30033 Phone: (404) 320-1472 FAX: None PERFUSION Accreditation Committee for Perfusion Education (See listing under ALLIED HEALTH, OTHER.) PHARMACY Professional degree programs: American Council on Pharmaceutical Education 1952/1995/2000 Daniel A. Nona, Executive Director 311 West Superior Chicago, Illinois 60610 Phone: (312) 664-3575 FAX: (312) 664-4652 PHYSICAL THERAPY Professional programs for the physical therapist and programs for the physical therapist assistant: Commission on Accreditation in Education American Physical Therapy Association 1977/1996/2001 Virginia Nieland, Director Department of Accreditation Trans Potomac Plaza 1111 North Fairfax Street Alexandria, Virginia 22314 Phone: (703) 684-3245 FAX: (703) 684-7344 PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT EDUCATION Accreditation Review Committee on Education for Physician Assistant: (See listing under ALLIED HEALTH, OTHER.) PODIATRY Colleges of podiatric medicine, including first professional and graduate degree programs: Council on Podiatric Medical Education American Podiatric Medical Association 1952/1995/2000 Jay Levrio, Director 9312 Old Georgetown Road Bethesda, Maryland 20814-2752 Phone: (301) 571-9200 FAX: (301) 530-2752 PSYCHOLOGY Doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, school and combined professional-scientific psychology, and predoctoral internship programs in professional psychology: Committee on Accreditation American Psychological Association 1970/1992/1997 Paul Nelson, Administrative Officer of Accreditation 750 First Street, N.E. Washington, DC 20002-4242 Phone: (202) 336-5979 FAX: (202) 336-5978 PUBLIC HEALTH Graduate schools of public health and graduate programs offered outside schools of public health in community health education and in community health/preventive medicine: Council on Education for Public Health 1974/1992/1997 Patricia Evans, Executive Director 1015 15th Street, NW, Suite 403 Washington, DC 20005 Phone: (202) 789-1050 FAX: (202) 289-8274 RABBINICAL AND TALMUDIC EDUCATION Advanced rabbinical and Talmudic schools: Accreditation Commission Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools 1974/1992/1997 Bernard Fryshman, Executive Vice-President 175 Fifth Avenue, Room 711 New York, New York 10010 Phone: (212) 477-0950 FAX: (212) 533-5335 RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY Educational programs for radiographer and radiation therapists: Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology 1957/1995/1999 Marilyn Fay, Executive Director 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 900 Chicago, Illinois 60606-2901 Phone: (312) 704-5300 FAX: (312) 704-5304 RESPIRATORY THERAPY Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education (See listing under ALLIED HEALTH, OTHER.) SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY Master's degree programs: American Speech-Language Hearing Association 1967/1991/1997 Sharon Goldsmith, Director Academic Affairs and Credentialing Division 10801 Rockville Pike Rockville, Maryland 20852 Phone: (301) 897-5700 FAX: (301) 571-0457 SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY Accreditation Review Committee for the Surgical Technologist (See listing under ALLIED HEALTH, OTHER.) TEACHER EDUCATION Baccalaureate and graduate programs for the preparation of teachers and other professional personnel for elementary and secondary schools: National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education 1952/1995/1999 Arthur Wise, President 2010 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036-1023 Phone: (202) 466-7496 FAX: (202) 296-6620 THEATER Institutions and units within institutions offering degree-granting and/or non-degree-granting programs in theater and theater-related disciplines: Commission on Accreditation National Association of Schools of Theater 1982/1991/1997 Samuel Hope, Executive Director 11250 Roger Bacon Drive. Suite 21 Reston, Virginia 22090 Phone: (703) 437-0700 FAX: (703) 437-6312 THEOLOGY Freestanding schools, as well as schools affiliated with larger institutions offering graduate professional education for ministry and graduate study of theology: Commission on Accrediting Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada 1952/1995/1998 James L. Waits, Executive Director 10 Summit Park Drive Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15275-1103 Phone: (412) 788-6505 FAX: (412) 788-6510 VETERINARY MEDICINE Colleges of veterinary medicine offering programs leading to a professional degree: Council on Education American Veterinary Medical Association 1952/1992/1997 Donald G.Simmons, Director Education and Research Division 1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100 Schaumburg, Illinois 60173 Phone: (708) 925-8070 or (800) 248-2862 FAX: (708) 925-1329 OTHER Registration [accreditation] of collegiate degree-granting programs or curriculums offered by institutions of higher education and of credit-bearing certificate and diploma programs offered by degree-granting institutions of higher education: New York State Board of Regents 1952/1995/1999 Richard Mills, Commissioner of Education State Education Department Albany, New York 12224 Phone: (518) 474-2593 FAX: (518) 486-2779 ---------- End of Document