Sec.10a-34-5. Accreditation

(a) Purpose. The purpose of the accreditation process is to ensure that continuing institutions and programs offered by such institutions comply substantially with the quality standards in Sections 10a-34-9 through 10a-34-24, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Accreditation carries with it authorization to award a specified degree(s). Institutional accreditation is a prerequisite for accreditation of a program. The Board shall accept regional accreditation in satisfaction of the requirements of this section for institutions seeking reaccreditation unless the board finds cause not to rely upon such regional or national accreditation based on the criteria described in section 10a-34-6(c) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(b) Applications. An application for accreditation or reaccreditation shall be filed in a format developed by the Commissioner. Applications shall be filed at least nine months in advance of the date that current licensure or accreditation expires. Institutions that receive reaccreditation or continuing accreditation by a commission of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges shall notify the Commissioner within thirty days of receiving notice of such action in lieu of filing the application referred to in this subsection.

(c) Completeness. The Commissioner shall be responsible for determining whether the application is complete and for requesting from the institution any additional information required. Once an application is complete, assessment shall proceed.

(d) Quality assessment. All institutions and programs being considered for accreditation or reaccreditation, as required by the board, shall be evaluated for compliance with the approval standards in Sections 10a-34-9 through 10a-34-24, inclusive, of these regulations and in accordance with the provisions of Section 10a-34-6 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(e) Duration of approval. Accreditation of an institution or program by the Board may be granted for a fixed term not to exceed five years. Reaccreditation by the board of regionally accredited institutions with their previously accredited programs, shall be concurrent with the action of a commission of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges to continue regional accreditation.

(Effective March 7, 1986; Amended December 2, 1999)