Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training

First organized and founded in 1974 the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training started providing accreditation in 1978. Recognized by the United States Department of Education the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) is able to fully accredit and recognize different schools, institutes and organizations that meet their standards of training and practice as outlined through the accreditation process. ACCET is also able to provide accreditation for entities offering either continuing education or professional training outside of the United States.

ACCET itself is one of the few organizations that is fully recognized and accredited as an ISO 9001 Quality Management System agency and is the only accrediting agency in the United States that has achieved this recognition. Unlike most other accrediting agencies, ACCET works only with non-collegiate continuing education programs so that businesses, organizations and industries can provide a high level of training for their own professional development and continuing education programs. Some groups such as trade and professional organizations, labor or union training programs, private career schools and professional development departments within corporations, businesses and industries can all apply for accreditation through ACCET.

Accrediting through ACCET is a voluntary process but does provide a standard of professionalism, education and quality to the training offered. Accreditation is possible for agencies offering certifications, continue education hours as well as occupational associates degrees. Businesses and organizations apply for accreditation, then go through a formal process of evaluating their educational goals and outcomes, plus a full research evaluation of their current standards and curriculum. After this internal review is completed it is reviewed by ACCET and an on-site visit by an evaluation team is scheduled. The evaluation team researches the report, evaluates the on-site accuracy of the document and prepares a report that accompanies the original report by the applicant agency. The Accreditation Commission for ACCET then reviews the reports and grants accreditation for a period of not more than five years.

The major goal of ACCET accreditation is to allow the agency, organization or career school to demonstrate their commitment to following the highest standards of continuing education as outlined and upheld by ACCET. A very well recognized addition to any continuing education program, ACCET also provide various professional development options for the agencies it has accredited. These opportunities include accreditation and self-evaluation workshops, an annual workshop that allows members to network and have access to some of the top educational consultants and researchers in the field of continuing education.

The Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training is based in Washington DC however they have access to professionals to assist with the accreditation process nationally. They can also be contacted through their website which can be found at http://www.accet.org/. In addition workshops and information sessions on accreditation are held across the United States in many of the major metropolitan areas. Assistance with questions regarding the process of accreditation and the benefits of accreditation through ACCET are also found on the website.