Accrediting Council For Independent Colleges and Schools

The Accrediting Council For Independent Colleges and Schools (ACISC) is one of the many national accrediting bodies recognized by the United States Department of Education as well as the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. ACISC works to provide a high standard of education for both online and campus based private post secondary schools and programs at several levels. This accrediting body will oversee online or on-campus programs at the diploma, certificate, associate, bachelor and master level for professional, occupational or technical careers. ACISC is also activity involved in accrediting these same types of programs internationally, which provides consistent training to graduates planning to enter the workforce as trained, skilled and degreed individuals.

Through their online information website, http://www.acics.org/, ACISC provides information to interested prospective students, educators and professionals that want to ensure that there is quality teaching and professional training through the various private post secondary schools that are accredited. The benefits to the school to become accredited through ACISC include a quality assurance to prospective students that they will have the skills and knowledge needed to find employment in the workplace, have the degree or certificate recognized within the industry as well as ensuring that student learning is constantly monitored and evaluated by various groups that include students, staff and advisory boards. Students attending an accredited university, college or school can be assured that they will be eligible for funding, will have quality education that meets or exceeds the set standards of the accrediting body as well as provides input for students and faculty as to the best practices with regards to teaching and learning.

As with any type of accreditation, schools seeking ACISC accreditation do so on an entirely voluntary basis. The process is lengthy and requires commitment to ongoing evaluation of the educational programs, feedback from different groups involved in the school or institute as well as examinations and investigations from outside accreditation teams. ACISC offers full accreditation of the whole institute, or also offers programmatic accreditation for specialized programs within a university or college. Schools need to apply for accreditation and will need to keep renewing their accreditation as per their term. In addition schools can have their accreditation revoked or denied if they fail to meet the standards set forth by the ACISC or if they misrepresent information on their reports or evaluations at any time while accredited.