Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology

Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, shorted to ACCSCT, is one of the major voluntary accreditation organizes recognized by the United States Department of Education. ACCSCT works to maintain and set the standards of education for colleges, universities, career schools, trade schools and private institutions that are offering programs. They can also accredit distance education learning programs either offered at remote campuses or over the internet. First started in 1967, ACCSCT used to be part of the National Association of Trade and Technical Schools, but became its own commission in 1993.

Currently ACCSCT provides accreditation and recognizes over 800 schools in the United States that meet their high standards of education and training. Through accreditation with ACCSCT each private school, university or career training program is held to a set of educational and professional standards that must meet or exceed the standards set forth by ACCSCT. This is done through a series of evaluations which encompass all aspects of the career and technical training offered by the facility. Staff and students work together to assess the quality of education, establish educational goals and learning outcomes, as well as ensure that students have the highest possible level of professional training when they leave the school. Accreditation is one method by which students, prospective faculty and even future employers of graduates can be assured that the degree or certificate earned is industry standard.

It is important to keep in mind that accreditation through ACCSCT is not a simple process, it requires a lot of research, self-investigation and commitment by the institute applying for accreditation. Once they complete their internal report and evaluation, an on-site team from ACCSCT will also research and report on what practices are used in the learning institute and if they are matching what is indicated in the detailed self-report. This team then completes their own review, which is considered by the Commission when determining if the program meets the accreditation standards. This process is repeated whenever the terms of the accreditation are set. Typically accreditation is reviewed every three to five years.

Students and the public have access to all the information about the ACCSCT accreditation process through their website http://www.accsct.org/. Within the website there are lists of schools that are fully accredited, schools that are on probation with regards to their accreditation status and even schools that have had their accreditation revoked or denied. Schools that do not meet accreditation standards do have the opportunity to resubmit material and make changes necessary to meet accreditation standards, then they are usually closely monitored through the first accreditation cycle.