Program Accreditation is the EAHEA service that reviews one degree program, from doctoral to associate level, with a curriculum of more than 300 clock hours. It checks whether the program meets EAHEA’s standards for educational quality and effectiveness. It can be obtained with or without institutional accreditation or any other EAHEA service, it is paid in full at application and it is valid for one year.
The service serves universities, educational institutes and business schools that want a statement about a specific program, and institutions that offer several degrees may seek it separately for each. This guide explains the service as published by the European Association for Higher Education Advancement (EAHEA): scope, process, payment, renewal, changes, deliverables, the credit systems connection and limits.
Scope
The program must be a degree program, doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s, associate or similar, whose curriculum exceeds 300 clock hours. The review looks at the program as submitted: its curriculum, teaching and assessment, with a self-assessment guided by EAHEA’s standards. Institutional accreditation does not cover degrees, programs or courses, and Program Accreditation does not make the institution accredited. A course of fewer than 300 clock hours is reviewed under Course Accreditation.
Who Applies
Universities, educational institutes and business schools, whether or not they hold institutional accreditation or membership. Membership is not required, and does not affect the result. An institution may apply for several programs separately. See institutional vs. programmatic accreditation for universities.
Process
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload the supporting documents.
- Pay online by card or bank transfer.
- EAHEA reviews the application and confirms eligible options.
- Receive the final result: certificate and files.
Further steps are on the Accreditation Process page. For preparation, see program accreditation for business programs: a planning guide, whose method applies to other fields.
Payment
The full amount, covering the application fee and the accreditation fee, is paid at once when applying. Fees follow the World Bank Country Income Classification, in euro, with possible further discounts. Card payments add 3 percent, and VAT of 24 percent applies to applicants in Estonia and EU applicants without a valid VAT number. Fees are non-refundable except amounts paid twice or by mistake. Amounts are on the Service Fees page.
Validity and Renewal
Accreditation is valid for one year and renews annually. Renewal is automatic and free if the institution holds valid Full or Online Accreditation on the renewal date. Otherwise the renewal fee applies. An accreditation that is not renewed ends.
Changes After Accreditation
| Type | Examples | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Curriculum or syllabus, duration, name or title, level, delivery mode | Report before implementation, re-review and change fee. Until the review is complete, the changed program is not covered |
| Minor | Correcting a typo, a change of teaching staff | Notice only, no fee |
Contact changes must be reported within 30 days.
What Is Received
- Program Accreditation Certificate.
- Program Accreditation Audit Report.
- Accredited Program Seal and Badges.
- Listing in the Institutional Members Directory.
- News alerts, newsletter and event discounts.
Program Accreditation does not confer membership.
Credits for Accredited Programs
Accredited programs are credited in an EAHEA system by level and workload: programs of 150 hours or less in MUC at every level, and above 150 hours in PAC for professional certificate, associate, bachelor’s or BBA programs, ILC for master’s or MBA programs and EUC for doctoral or DBA programs. These are independent EAHEA metrics, and receiving institutions decide how to treat them. See credit systems for executive and professional business programs.
Limits
Program Accreditation is a voluntary, non-governmental review. It does not replace legal authorization or government recognition, is not a license to practice a profession and does not guarantee admission, credit transfer, visas or jobs. EAHEA may check compliance with or without notice and may suspend or revoke an accreditation, with the status published for five years. Apply online or contact the Secretariat.
Services This Guide Covers
Frequently Asked Questions
One degree program, from associate to doctoral level, with a curriculum of more than 300 clock hours, reviewed for educational quality and effectiveness.
No. Program Accreditation can be obtained with or without any other EAHEA service.
The full amount is paid at once when applying, by card or bank transfer. Fees follow the World Bank income classification.
When the institution holds valid Full or Online Accreditation on the renewal date. Otherwise the renewal fee applies.
Changes to the curriculum or syllabus, duration, name or title, level or delivery mode. They must be reported before implementation and incur a change fee.
No. Program Accreditation does not confer membership.