Accreditation Types and Terms

The accreditation process is voluntary and is initiated only at the invitation of the PA program and sponsoring institution.

Categories of Accreditation

The ARC-PA recognizes six categories of accreditation:

1. Provisional Accreditation
2. Accreditation
3. Probationary Accreditation
4. Administrative Probationary Accreditation
5. Accreditation Withheld
6. Accreditation Withdrawn

Provisional Accreditation is granted for a limited, defined period of time to a new program that, at the time of the site visit, has demonstrated its preparedness to initiate a program in accordance with the Standards. Initial Provisional Accreditation visits are conducted during the calendar year prior to enrollment of the charter class of students. Based on the accreditation application and descriptive report, the report of the site visit team, and the evaluation of these by the ARC-PA, the ARC-PA will determine whether or not to award Provisional Accreditation.

Provisional Accreditation does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status.

Accreditation is granted when 1) an established program is in compliance with the Standards, 2) a program holding Probationary Accreditation has demonstrated that it is once again in compliance with the Standards, or 3) a program holding Provisional Accreditation demonstrates compliance with the Standards after its follow-up provisional visit.

Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards.

Probationary Accreditation is a temporary status of accreditation assigned when a program does not meet the Standards and when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened. Once placed on probation, programs that still fail to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and/or risk having their accreditation withdrawn.

Administrative Probationary Accreditation is a temporary status assigned when a program has not complied with an administrative requirement, such as failure to pay fees or submit required reports. Once placed on Administrative Probation, programs that fail to comply with administrative requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and/or risk having their accreditation withdrawn.

Accreditation Withheld is assigned when a program seeking provisional accreditation is not in compliance with the Standards.

Accreditation Withdrawn is assigned when an established program is determined no longer to be in compliance with the Standards and, thus, no longer capable of providing an acceptable educational experience for its students, or when the program has failed to comply with ARC-PA accreditation actions or procedures.