Definitions

Member in Good Standing
An ASPA member agency is a member in good standing if it:

1. Is current in payment of dues or assessments.

2. Has endorsed the current ASPA-member Code of Good Practice.

3. Functions as an accrediting agency in accord with its charter.

4. Is in compliance with the criteria for membership.

(adopted March 7, 1997)

Specialized and Professional
For purposes of membership in ASPA, a "specialized" or "professional" accrediting body is defined as one with a national scope that accredits higher education programs or institutions that prepare individuals for entry into practice in a specialized discipline or defined profession, or educates individuals in a concentrated area of study.  In addition, the following definitions apply:

• accreditation: an eligible member must be responsible for accreditation, i.e., the process of evaluating educational programs or institutions and publicly recognizing those which meet agreed-upon standards of quality or be an organizational member of an ASPA member organization responsible for developing and revising accreditation standards of quality and evaluating educational programs or institutions.
   
• accrediting body: an eligible member must be a non-governmental organization operated as a non-profit corporation, or a part thereof.
   
• national scope: an eligible member must offer its accreditation services in a geographic area which includes all states [and territories] of the United States, as a minimum.
   
• higher education: the primary entities accredited by an eligible member must be located in institutions which are authorized to award postsecondary degrees, certificates or other educational credentials, excluding institutions which offer predominantly non-degree vocational training.
   
• programs: An eligible member must conduct programmatic accreditation, i.e., accredit colleges, schools, departments, units or other administrative organizations within an institution of higher education, through which curricula for professional preparation are offered.
   
• institutions: an eligible member may conduct institutional accreditation in the case of free-standing, single purpose organizations which offer curricula for professional preparation and are authorized to confer postsecondary degrees, diplomas or certificates. These institutions are eligible for accreditation by a specialized or professional accrediting body by virtue of their primary function of preparing individuals for entry into a profession.
   
• entry into practice: the entities accredited by an eligible member must prepare individuals to achieve basic competencies and attain the minimum educational qualifications necessary to begin functioning in a specific occupation.
   
• discipline: the entities accredited by an eligible member must prepare individuals in a branch of knowledge, science, art or business that has application in a specific occupation, usually requiring significant specialized training, or
   
• profession: the entities accredited by an eligible member must prepare individuals for a defined occupation which requires its practitioners to acquire a body of specialized knowledge and become proficient in basic skills and competencies, for which the practitioner is then accorded certain societal benefits, including title and autonomy in carrying out the work.
   
• specialized: the entities accredited by an eligible member must educate individuals in a concentrated area of study.

(Definitions Adopted by ASPA Membership: September 14, 1998; Revised: September 11, 2006)

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