Resources for Institutions

This page gathers the working documents institutions use most often throughout the accreditation relationship. Some resources help institutions understand standards and policies; others support self-study preparation, evaluation visits, annual reporting, and ongoing compliance work.

Standards and Polices Manual: The Standards and Policies Manual is the official manual of the ABHE COA. It contains the Conditions of Eligibility and Standards for Institutional and Programmatic Accreditation. It also contains policies for institutions and policies relating to COA procedures. Finally, it holds the Constitution, Bylaws, and a Glossary of Terms.

Self-Study Guide: The Self-Study Guide provides guidance specific to the process and preparations needed for self-study and hosting an evaluation team visit. There are details to assist in the preparation of self-study materials, organizing evidence, responding to the visit report, and understanding timelines for evaluation visits and Commission review.

Institutional Context Summary: This is a template designed to aid institutions in presenting key background context and institutional data in a consistent format for reviewers. This document should be included in the Self-Study Report.

RRE: The Regulatory Requirements Evaluation (RRE) is a 14-point checklist to confirm that all areas of required regulatory review have been conducted. This self-assessment tool is submitted as part of the Self-Study Report. The evaluation team and Commission will also complete this checklist.

Self-Study Submission Information: This document will give guidance on submitting the self-study and how to best number and save exhibits.

Considerations for Acceleration Requests: A guide to determining readiness to accelerate the accreditation process.

Standards Self-Assessment: A structured self-assessment template that helps institutions evaluate alignment with each standard and Essential Element prior to staff visits and comprehensive review. This document must be completed prior to each commission staff visit during applicant and candidate status.

Report Guide: The report guide has submission guidance for required reports and responses, including deadlines, naming conventions, and late fee expectations.

Fee Schedule: The fee schedule for the Association and the Commission has current fees, including member dues, visit fees, substantive change fees, and late fees.

Tenets of Faith: The ABHE Tenets of Faith must be affirmed by institutions on a yearly basis. See Condition of Eligibility 1 for further information.

Statistical Reports: These reports are based on the Annual Institutional Update (AIU) that all institutions are required to complete, and the reports include data elements related to Enrollment, Faculty, Completion and Retention, Admissions, and Finances.

Related links

• Accreditation Processes
• Financial Training