Publications & Policies

This page provides access to each of the Commission published manuals. The Accreditation Reference Handbook provides readers with the Eligibility Requirements, the Standards of Accreditation, and all policies of the ACCJC. Quick access to individual policies is provided by using the Table of Contents in the Reference Handbook. For current and past issues of the Accreditation newsletter, Accreditation Notes please see the menu button Newsletter.

The Core Documents of the ACCJC are its Eligibility Requirements and its Standards of Accreditation.

Eligibility Requirements for Accreditation

The Eligibility Requirements must be met completely in order for institutions to apply for eligibility for accreditation. Compliance with the criteria is expected to be continuous, and institutions that have achieved accreditation must demonstrate that they continue to meet the eligibility requirements in their self study reports.

Eligibility Requirements for Accreditation

Accreditation Standards

The Accreditation Standards are statements of best practice in higher education which institutions must meet or exceed when seeking initial accreditation and reaffirmation of accreditation from ACCJC.

Accreditation Standards

Accreditation Standards Annotated for Continuous Quality Improvement and SLOs.

Commission Publications

The Commission Publications both inform institutions how to use the core documents to assure their own institutional quality and participate in Commission reporting requirements, and direct individuals who serve on accreditation teams.

Accreditation Reference Handbook

This handbook contains the Eligibility Requirements for initial accreditation and reaffirmation of accreditation, the ACCJC Standards, and current policies of the Commission.

Accreditation Reference Handbook (Published 2009)

Distance Education & Correspondence Education Manual

This manual contains information that will assist member institutions as they plan and evaluate distance education and correspondence education programs. It also provides team members with information that aids in the evaluation of these programs. The Commission Policy on Distance Education and Correspondence Education is included.

Distance Education & Correspondence Education Manual (Published 2009)

Eligibility, Candidacy, and Initial Accreditation Manual

This manual includes the steps for establishing eligibility, candidacy, and initial accreditation by ACCJC as well as the Eligibility Requirements and Accreditation Standards.

Eligibility, Candidacy, and Initial Accreditation Manual (Published 2009)

Guide to Evaluating Institutions

This guide contains questions that might be asked about institutional quality as each accreditation standard is considered. It also provides suggestions for what might constitute evidence that an institution meets the standard. It is intended for use by institutions as they write their self-study report and by teams when evaluating institutions.

Guide to Evaluating Institutions (Published 2009)

Self Study Manual

This manual contains suggestions for how an institution should organize for self study as well as forms that must be submitted as part of the self-study report. It is intended for use by institutions as they prepare for self-study and the self-study report.

Self Study Manual (Published 2009)

Substantive Change Manual

This manual includes information on changes considered substantive, the process used for obtaining ACCJC approval of substantive changes, the required format and content of a substantive change proposal, and the Substantive Change Policy.

Substantive Change Manual (Published 2009)

Team Evaluator Manual

This manual is for use by individuals serving on teams. It outlines the responsibilities and activities of team service and contains forms used in reporting.

Team Evaluator Manual (Published 2009)

Rubric for Evaluating Institutional Effectiveness

The Rubric for Evaluating Institutional Effectiveness that was developed by the Commission for use by colleges as they do self-assessment, by teams as they examine college adherence to the Standards of Accreditation, and by the Commission as it evaluates institutions.