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Accreditation

Accreditation Eligibility

The requirements for EAHEA accreditation: eligibility criteria for formal and distance learning institutions that offer certificates, diplomas or degrees.

To be eligible for accreditation by EAHEA, an institution meets the following requirements:

  • It is a formal or distance learning establishment that offers certificates, diplomas or degrees at any level.
  • It has an identified body of individuals who are actively involved in a prescribed learning format and setting. The programs it offers include a clearly interactive component of educational methodology that is appropriate to the subject matter and the expected training outcomes.
  • It can demonstrate the continuous and successful operation of the institution in delivering education and training programs for at least one consecutive year immediately before the application. At a minimum, one graduating class has completed its training.
  • It operates continuously. “Continuous operation” means that the principal educational and training activities of the institution, for which accreditation or re-accreditation is sought, have proceeded as scheduled without interruption.
  • Exceptions may be recognized after the fact when an interruption was caused by forces of nature, civil disorder, or an abrupt and unforeseeable change in law or regulation that affects the institution.
  • An institution may also apply for an exception before the fact, by applying to the Accrediting Commission and showing good cause. The application is submitted in good time, considering the circumstances, so that it can be properly considered.
  • It has been under the same ownership or control for at least one year immediately before the application. The Accrediting Commission may waive this requirement when acceptable documentation shows that the applicant institution is owned or controlled by an educational organization with a reputable history of stable operations, and by individuals with extensive credentials that demonstrate competent administration of an accredited institution.
  • On application and on accreditation, it agrees to abide by the EAHEA Bylaws, the Principles of Ethics, the EAHEA Standards for Accreditation and the EAHEA Standards for Accreditation Quality, and the related policies and procedures, and to support the goals and integrity of the accreditation process.
  • It has a record of responsible financial management (minimum one year) and resources that are sufficient to maintain quality training and educational services and to complete the instruction of all enrolled participants.

A newly established institution that does not yet meet the requirements on continuous operation and a graduating class, on ownership or control, or on financial management may apply by submitting a goodwill letter addressed to EAHEA. The letter describes the establishment, ownership, activities, finances and plans of the institution and confirms its commitment to the EAHEA standards. EAHEA decides at its discretion whether to accept the application on that basis.

The steps that follow the application are described on the Accreditation Process page, and the fees on the Service Fees page.

Frequently asked questions

An institution should have operated continuously and successfully for at least one year and have graduated at least one class, have been under the same ownership or control for at least one year, have a record of responsible financial management of at least one year, and agree to abide by EAHEA standards, bylaws and principles of ethics. A newly established institution that does not yet meet these requirements may apply with a goodwill letter.

Yes. Institutions are generally expected to show at least one year of stable operation, but a newly established institution that does not yet meet this requirement may apply by submitting a goodwill letter addressed to EAHEA. EAHEA decides at its discretion whether to accept the application on that basis.

Yes. Accredited institutions comply with the EAHEA bylaws, the principles of ethics and the rules of conduct in the Code of Ethics Declaration Form for as long as they are accredited. The form is on the Documents & Forms page.

Yes, responsible financial management is one of the core eligibility criteria EAHEA reviews before granting accreditation.

EAHEA may send a warning, require a corrective action plan, suspend the accreditation or revoke it. A suspended or revoked status is published in the public directory with a short reason for five years from the date of the decision.

A goodwill letter is a letter addressed to EAHEA by a newly established institution that does not yet meet the requirements on its period of operation (one year of continuous operation and a graduating class, one year under the same ownership or control, one year of financial management record). It describes the establishment, ownership, activities, finances and plans of the institution and confirms its commitment to the EAHEA standards. EAHEA decides at its discretion whether to accept the application on that basis.

No. Membership is not a requirement for any accreditation service and does not change the result of an application.