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What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a process in
which a programme of study or
institution is assessed for its standard and given official
recognition. At the programme level, accreditation is
concerned with the quality of a specific course or programme
of study, while institutional accreditation is concerned
with the evaluation of an entire institution.
The accreditation process is intended to strengthen and
sustain the quality and integrity of educational provisions,
making it worthy of public confidence.
Benefits of Accreditation
Students
Highlights
the capabilities/competencies of the institutions;
Assures recognition of qualifications and transferability locally,
regionally and internationally;
Improves education/training and learning achievement as the quality
of the institution’s provision is assured;
Provides assurance that an individual is getting value for money for
time spent on a programme of study;
Facilitates
the transfer of learner credits from one institution to another;
Provides recognition for entry into higher education, profession and
business.
Institutions
Provides national, regional and international recognition of
quality, accountability, and public trust;
Verifies the quality of the educational provision to potential
students, businesses and governments;
Facilitates access to support and services designed to continually
improve the quality of education and training;
Lends prestige to the institution;
Highlights strengths and capabilities of the institution;
Aids with student recruitment efforts; and
Provides credibility by enhancing the image of the institution.
Employers
Assures the quality of human capital;
Assures the quality of qualifications and credentials presented;
Increases productivity and performance which may lead to increased
profitability; and
Provides benchmarks against which educational provision can be
measured against employment requirements.
Nation
Assures a highly skilled workforce, which should enhance
international competitiveness;
Increases the global competitiveness of local institutions;
Provides assurance to taxpayers of the quality of educational
provision; and
Assures government of positive returns on investment in the
educational sector.
Accreditation Standards
Click
here to download the Institutional Accreditation Standards
Click
here to download the Programme Accreditation Standards
Criteria for External Evaluators
Eligibility Requirements
Through its eligibility process, the Council determines whether
an educational provider is ready for an external evaluation visit.
The process does not determine that an applying provider will
receive either candidacy or accredited status, instead it enables
the Council and the provider to determine the appropriate time for
moving toward the processes through which decisions on candidacy or
accredited status can be made.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria include:
a) The provider must be based in Barbados;
b) The provider must be registered with the Council;
c) The provider must have a certificate of incorporation to operate
in Barbados;
d) Evidence that its governing body/board approves the application
for accreditation;
e) A prospectus or list of programmes must be available to current
and prospective students; and
f) It has a financial base to support its mission. Appropriate
documentation may include an audit, a letter of reference from a
bank, or other financial documents that vouch for its solvency and
capacity.
Providers seeking candidacy or accredited status will:
a) Publish and make available to students and the wider public a
statement of mission approved by its governing body/board defining
clearly the nature and purpose of the learning provided and the
student for whom it is intended.
b) Have students enrolled in its programmes before achieving
candidacy or have graduated students from its programmes before
achieving accreditation.
c) Document governance and administrative structures that legally
enable the provider to protect its institutional and educational
integrity.
d) Document that it has core values and strategic priorities that
assure that its graduates will be capable of contributing to the
community.
e) Demonstrate that it has engaged qualified and experienced staff
to assure that there is an effective curriculum and instruction.
f) Demonstrate the ownership of responsibility for assuring access
to the learning resources and support services necessary to
facilitate the learning expected of its students.
g) Provide documentation of existing and future financial capacity.
h) Provide students with electronic or printed documents that
outline the educational programme requirements, appropriate length
of time, content, and required learning outcomes for the
credential/qualification awarded.
i) Document that it presents itself to the public, prospective and
enrolled students fairly and accurately.
j) Publish electronically or in print up-to-date information about
the costs, refunds process, financial assistance, and the accredited
status of the provider and its programmes.
k) Document that it provides its students, administrators,
faculty/instructors, and staff with the policies and procedures
advising of their rights and responsibilities within the
organisation.
l) Present evidence of ongoing planning that includes a realistic
action plan for achieving accreditation with the Council within an
agreed period of time.
Foreign-Based Providers
In addition to the eligibility criteria, foreign-based providers
will be required to:
a) Have established local educational sites; or
b) Offer educational provision in whole or in part collaboratively
within Barbados; and
c) Ensure that the programme being delivered collaboratively is
accredited or recognised by a competent authority in its home
country.
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