ACCREDITATION PROCESS The accreditation procedures established by the NAPCU are based on widely accepted standards and methods of review used for traditional educational institutions. However, in recognizing the uniqueness and diversity of private learning centers, the NAPCU understand that some criteria or specific areas scheduled for examination may not be applicable to every organization. It is important that each school is evaluated and accredited on its own merits, and it is the goal of the NAPCU to assist candidates in realizing and enhancing their individual mission. Therefore, the steps involved in achieving full accreditation should be viewed as a practical starting point for processing relevant information concerning an institution’s eligibility, rather than as a strict process of exclusion.
The following criteria constitute the general areas of focus during every stage of the evaluation process:
Goals and Standards
- The institution’s documents and materials clearly and publicly articulate the organization’s commitments and goals.
- Support and understanding for the school’s goals and functions pervade the organization.
- The organization upholds and protects its integrity.
- The institution’s resource base supports its educational programs and its plans for maintaining and strengthening their quality in the future.
- The institution’s self evaluation and assessment methods produce reliable evidence of its effectiveness that clearly directs strategies for organizational improvement and enhancement.
- All levels of management and planning align with the school’s stated goals, thereby improving its ability to fulfill its mission.
- The institution’s goals and standards for student learning experiences are stated clearly for each educational program, making effective and appropriate assessment possible.
- The educational resources and environment supports student learning and effective teaching.
- The faculty and the institution as a whole provides support to ensure that students acquire, discover and apply knowledge with an awareness of its value in a global, diverse, and technological society.
- All institutions must first apply for membership with the NAPCU by completing and submitting the membership form along with a processing fee of $65.
- Once membership has been confirmed, eligible schools may apply for candidacy towards accreditation by completing and submitting the Initial Accreditation form along with the processing and NAPCU committee review fee of $250.
- Following the confirmation of acceptance into the accrediting process, institutions are asked to engage in a comprehensive self-study examination. Submission of the Self-Study Report should accompany an assessment fee of $250.
- At this time, the NAPCU Commission Review Board will examine all areas of the completed Self-Study Report to determine final accreditation eligibility. In some cases, an institution may be asked to host an on-site visitation prior to full accreditation approval. The purpose of this visit is to assess the institution’s development and readiness for meeting accreditation standards, and is usually conducted by a single or two-member team of commission representatives over the course of 1-3 days. The applicant institution shall pay all reasonable visitation expenses; the amounts of which are negotiable at the time of scheduling. Candidates may appeal the commission’s decision for the necessity of an inspection if the institution can provide reliable evidence satisfying the areas of concern(s) that had prompted it.
- If no visit is required, or if the report of an on-site visit is favorable, the candidate will be notified of its fully accredited status with the NAPCU, which will be made active and public following a final accreditation fee of $150.
- Accreditation is renewed by submitting an annual, non-refundable fee of $650.
We reserve the right to suspend accreditation of any institution at any time that is found to be in violation of NAPCU accreditation codes or standards. In such a case, a review committee will be assigned to work with the institution to determine its eligibility for continued accredited status with the NAPCU.
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