Membership Information
- ASPA Membership Offers...
- Benefits of ASPA Membership
- Membership Eligibility Criteria
- Definitions: Specialized & Professional
- Code of Good Practice
- Application for ASPA Membership - Pathway One & Pathway Two
- Definition: Member in Good Standing
- Policy: Reinstatement of Lapsed Membership
- Procedures for Membership Approval
- Sample Dues Invoice - FY2011
FORMS -- Include both forms below with Application:
See instructions for number of copies.
- Pathway One & Two - Check Lists (pdf format)
- Code of GoodPractice Endorsement Form (pdf format)
Application materials are due on February 15 for review at the Spring meeting or on August 1 for review at the Fall meeting. Applications may also be submitted by April 15 and October 1. Contact the ASPA office at 773-525-2160 for more information.
Membership Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for ASPA Membership, the accrediting body must:
- Be able to demonstrate that it meets ASPA?s definition of Specialized or Professional and the supporting definitions (see list of definitions).
- Be able to demonstrate that the agency's governing body has endorsed the ASPA-Member Code of Good Practice [see the Code of Good Practice Endorsement Form].
- If recognized by USDE or CHEA, follow Pathway One in preparing and submitting an application for membership see instructions below.
- If not recognized by USDE or CHEA, follow Pathway Two in preparing and submitting an application for membership ? see instructions below.
- Submit the
application and other required materials, along with the appropriate application
fee. Effective
- If these criteria are met and the applicant is accepted into membership by the ASPA Board of Directors, the term of membership will continue as long as the agency is a member in good standing (see definition).
- Membership is contingent upon payment of current dues. Applicants should review the sample dues invoice to pre-calculate the amount of dues. Groups accepted into membership at the spring Board of Director's meeting will pay dues for the new fiscal year; payment in full is due no later than July 1st. Groups accepted into membership at the fall Board meeting will pay one-half the annual dues; payment is due no later than January 1st.
(Adopted by ASPA
Membership: August 26, 1996)
(Revised: 2005)
Definition: Specialized or Professional:
For purposes of membership in the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors, 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.
For purposes of making the above policy operational, 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
- 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)
ASPA - Member Code of Good Practice
An accrediting organization holding membership in
the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA):
1. Pursues its mission, goals, and objectives, and conducts its operations in a trustworthy manner.
- Focuses primarily on educational quality, not narrow interests, or political action, or educational fashions.
- Demonstrates respect for the complex interrelationships involved in the pursuit of excellence by individual institutions or programs.
- Exhibits a system of checks and balances in its standards development and accreditation procedures.
- Maintains functional and operational autonomy.
- Avoids relationships and practices that would provoke questions about its overall objectivity and integrity.
- Analyzes criticism carefully and responds appropriately by explaining its policies and actions and/or making changes.
2. Maximizes service, productivity, and effectiveness in the accreditation relationship.
- Recognizes that teaching and learning, not accredited status, are the primary purposes of institutions and programs.
- Respects the expertise and aspirations for high achievement already present and functioning in institutions and programs.
- Uses its understanding of the teaching and learning focus and the presence of local expertise and aspirations as a basis for serving effectively at individual institutions and programs.
- Keeps the accreditation process as efficient and cost-effective as possible by minimizing the use of visits and reports, and by eliminating, whenever possible, duplication of effort between accreditation and other review processes.
- Works cooperatively with other accrediting bodies to avoid conflicting standards, and to minimize duplication of effort in the preparation of accreditation materials and the conduct of on-site visits.
- Provides the institution or programs with a thoughtful diagnostic analysis that assists the institution or program in finding its own approaches and solutions, and that makes a clear distinction between what is required for accreditation and what is recommended for improvement of the institution or program.
3. Respects and protects institutional autonomy.
- Works with issues of institutional autonomy in light of the commitment to mutual accountability implied by participation in accreditation, while at the same time, respecting the diversity of effective institutional and programmatic approaches, while at the same time, respecting the diversity of effective institutional and programmatic approaches to common goals, issues, challenges, and opportunities.
- Applies its standards and procedures with profound respect for the rights and responsibilities of institutions and programs to identify, designate, and control (a) their respective missions, goals, and objectives; (b) educational and philosophical principles and methodologies used to pursue functions implicit in their various missions, goals, and objectives; (c) specific choices and approaches to content; (d) agendas and areas of study pursued through scholarship, research, and policy developments; (e) specific personnel choices, staffing configurations, administrative structures, and other operational decisions; and (f) content, methodologies, and timing of tests, evaluations, and assessments.
- With respect to professional schools and programs, recognizes the ultimate authority of each academic community for its own educational policies while maintaining fundamental standards and fostering consideration of evolving needs and conditions in the profession and the communities it serves.
4. Maintains a broad perspective as the basis for wise decision making.
- Gathers and analyzes information and ideas from multiple sources and viewpoints concerning issues important to institutions, programs, professions, publics, governments, and others concerned with the content, scope, and effectiveness of its work.
- Uses the results of these analyses in formulating policies and procedures that promote substantive, effective teaching and learning, that protect the autonomy of institutions and programs, and that encourage trust and cooperation within and among various components of the larger higher education community.
5. Focuses accreditation reviews on the development of knowledge and competence.
- Concentrates on results in light of specific institutional and programmatic missions, goals, objectives, and contexts.
- Deals comprehensively with relationships and interdependence among purposes, aspirations, curricula, operations, resources, and results.
- Considers techniques, methods, and resources primarily in light of results achieved and functions fulfilled rather than the reverse.
- Has standards and review procedures that provide room for experimentation, encourage responsible innovation, and promote thoughtful evolution.
6. Exhibits integrity and professionalism in the conduct of its operation.
- Creates and documents its scope of authority, policies, and procedures to ensure governance and decision making under a framework of "laws not persons."
- Exercises professional judgment in the context of its published standards and procedures.
- Demonstrates continuing care with policies, procedures, and operations regarding due process, conflict of interest, confidentiality, and consistent application of standards.
- Presents its materials and conducts its business with accuracy, skill, and sophistication sufficient to produce credibility for its role as an evaluator of educational quality.
- Is quick to admit errors in any part of the evaluation process, and equally quick to rectify such errors.
- Maintains sufficient financial, personnel, and other resources to carry out its operations effectively.
- Provides accurate, clear, and timely information to the higher education community, to the professions, and to the public concerning standards and procedures for accreditation, and the status of accredited institutions and programs.
- Corrects inaccurate information about itself or its actions.
7. Has mechanisms to ensure that expertise and experience in the application of its standards, procedures, and values are present in members of its visiting teams, commissions, and staff.
- Maintains a thorough and effective orientation, training, and professional development program for all accreditation personnel.
- Works with institutions and programs to ensure that site teams represent a collection of expertise and experience appropriate for each specific review.
- Conducts evaluations of personnel that involve responses from institutions and programs that have experienced the accreditation process.
- Conducts evaluations of criteria and procedures that include responses from reviewers and those reviewed.
Adopted
Application for ASPA Membership - Process
To apply for ASPA Membership, an accrediting body submit an application following either Pathway One or Pathway Two as outlined below. Applicants are encouraged to consult with staff in the ASPA office early in the application process.
ASPA Membership Application: Pathway One
For use by an accrediting organization currently recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
INTRODUCTION
ASPA's procedures for membership do not constitute a recognition process and do not certify the status, performance or integrity of accreditation agencies.
Before beginning the process the applicant is encouraged to
review the membership requirements and conditions for membership. The ASPA
staff is available to assist the applicant throughout the application
process.
PROCESS The
process begins with the submission of an application that addresses each of
the questions that appear below. Following submission, the application
is reviewed by the Membership Committee, which may seek further
clarifying information from the applicant prior to formalizing a recommendation
which is submitted to the ASPA Board of Directors for review and action
regarding membership in ASPA.
1. Describe (limit to 1 page) how applicant agency meets ASPA?s definition of Specialized or Professional and the supporting definitions (see list of definitions).
2. Demonstrate that the agency?s governing body has endorsed the ASPA-Member Code of Good Practice [see the Code of Good Practice Endorsement Form].
3. Provide evidence of adherence to good accreditation practice by submitting a copy of the ?letter of recognition? from the USDE or CHEA which announces their recognition of your agency.
4. Provide a brief statement (limited to 1 page) indicating:
A. The nature and scope of accrediting activity.
B. Date when accrediting activities were first initiated.
C. Number of programs currently accredited.
5. Provide the name(s) and titles of the principal staff or volunteer contact/representative and elected officers.
6. Application for ASPA membership must also include:
A. A letter of application signed by the chief executive or chief operating officer of the accrediting agency.
B. Payment of $500 non-refundable application fee which will be applied to membership dues if granted membership.
7. One paper copy of the application documents and either 11 additional paper copies, or the document copied onto a CD or sent electronically as an attachment to the ASPA office.
8. Applicants should note
that membership is contingent upon payment of current dues. Applicants
approved for membership at the spring Board of Directors' meeting will pay
dues for the new fiscal year; payment in full is due no later than July 1st.
Groups accepted into membership at the fall Board meeting will pay one-half
the annual dues; payment is due no later than January 1st.
ASPA Membership Application: Pathway Two
INTRODUCTION
ASPA's procedures for membership do not constitute a recognition process and do not certify the status, performance or integrity of accreditation agencies.
Before
beginning the process the applicant is encouraged to review the membership
requirements and conditions for membership. The ASPA staff is available to
assist the applicant throughout the application process.
PROCESS The
process begins with the submission of an application that addresses each of
the questions that appear below. Following submission, the application
is reviewed by the Membership Committee, which may seek further
clarifying information from the applicant prior to formalizing a
recommendation which is submitted to the ASPA Board of Directors for review
and action regarding membership in ASPA.
1. Describe (limit to 1 page) how applicant agency meets ASPA?s definition of Specialized or Professional and the supporting definitions (see list of definitions).
2. Demonstrate that the agency?s governing body has endorsed the ASPA-Member Code of Good Practice [see the Code of Good Practice Endorsement Form].
3. Provide evidence of adherence to good accreditation practice by submitting the information listed in A-E below. While the following information is reviewed with care, ASPA?s review is from the perspective of this being a ?membership? Application.
A. Provide a brief narrative statement (limited to maximum of 12 pages) that shows how the applicant meets the seven main sections (use the bullet points under each section to guide your response) of the ASPA-member Code of Good Practice. (see web site)
B. Provide a brief statement (limited to 1 page) indicating:
1. The nature and scope of accrediting activity.
2. Date when accrediting activities were first initiated.
3. Number of programs currently accredited.
C. Include organizational data about the decision-making body, including:
1. The names and affiliations of council/commission members, and officers,
2. Frequency of meetings.
3. Name(s) of principal staff or volunteer contact/representative.
D. Include a copy of accreditation standards or evaluation criteria.
E. A narrative description of the accreditation process (limited to 2 pages).
4. Application for ASPA membership must also include:
A. A letter of application signed by the chief executive or chief operating officer of the accrediting agency.
B. A listing of agency or agencies that recognize its accreditation activity (i.e. Certification Boards, Licensing Boards etc.).
C. Payment of $500 non-refundable application fee which will be applied to membership dues if granted membership.
5. One paper copy of the application documents and either 11 additional paper copies, or the document copied onto a CD or sent electronically as an attachment to the ASPA office.
6. Applicants should note that membership is contingent upon payment of current dues. Applicants approved for membership at the spring Board of Directors' meeting will pay dues for the new fiscal year; payment in full is due no later than July 1st. Groups accepted into membership at the fall Board meeting will pay one-half the annual dues; payment is due no later than January 1st.
(Adopted March 7, 1997; Revised: 2005)
Member in Good Standing:
An ASPA member agency is a member in good standing if it:
- Is current in payment of dues or assessments.
- Has endorsed the current ASPA-member Code of Good Practice.
- Functions as an accrediting agency in accord with its charter.
- Is in compliance with the criteria for membership.
(adopted
Reinstatement of Lapsed Membership:
An ASPA-member agency which withdraws from or allows its membership to lapse may reinstate its membership under the following conditions:
- The agency must reaffirm that it meets ASPA membership criteria.
- If the agency pays ASPA current fiscal year dues no later than July 31 of the third year, reinstatement will occur with no financial penalty or need to comply with the membership process. The agency is eligible for this reinstatement option once.
- After the period designated under item "b" above, the agency must comply with ASPA's then-current membership process.
(Effective Upon Adoption: September 14, 1998)
Procedures for Membership Approval:
Any accrediting organization that seeks to become a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors is required to follow either Pathway One (if recognized by either the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation) or Pathway Two (if not recognized by either USDE or CHEA). See Application information above for specific details. The Application, with payment of the current application fee, must be received in the ASPA office by February 15 for review at the Spring meeting or by August 1 for review at the Fall meeting.
Effective Fall 2005, applications may also be submitted by April 15 or October 1. These applications will be reviewed by the Membership Committee using the same process indicated below. As needed, the ASPA Board will convene by telephone conference call to take action on them.
The Executive Director shall acknowledge receipt of the application and screen it for completeness. The application is then submitted to the Membership Committee for review and final recommendation to the Board of Directors.
ASPA's procedures for membership do not constitute a recognition process and do not certify the status, performance or integrity of accreditation agencies. However, in support of the intent to ensure high quality in ASPA membership, ASPA has established criteria for membership. The review of the application by the Membership Committee shall take into consideration the completeness of the application and shall focus on the quality and appropriateness of responses to the criteria for membership.
The Board of Directors shall have final authority to grant or continue membership. All membership decisions shall occur in executive session at an official meeting of the Board of Directors. A decision to grant membership shall require a simple majority vote of the entire Board. Applicants shall be notified in writing of the Board's decision no later than two weeks following the meeting.
Agencies seeking membership do so on a voluntary basis. The Association is under no obligation to accept any agency as a member.
Note: Application materials are due on February 15 for review at the Spring meeting or on August 1 for review at the Fall meeting. Applications may also be submitted by April 15 and October 1. Contact the ASPA office at 773-525-2160 for more information.
(Adopted: March 7, 1997; Revised: 2005)
(Page revised: May 28, 2010)