Institutional Accreditation

Institutional accreditation asks a broad question: is this a well-run institution that delivers what it promises to the learners it enrols? HCDE answers it against eight published standards.

Who it is for

Institutions that award qualifications or deliver education at any level, in person, at a distance or both, and that want an independent judgement of their provision as a whole. If you want only one program reviewed, see Training Centers and Online Programs.

What is reviewed

• Mission, ownership and governance
• Admissions, assessment and academic integrity
• The design, level and outcomes of the programs offered
• Faculty qualifications, preparation and supervision
• Support for learners and the handling of their complaints
• Technology, data protection and the continuity of online delivery
• Assessment practice and the security and verifiability of records
• How the institution reviews itself and improves

The standards are set out on the Accreditation Standards pages.

How it works

1. Inquiry, then application with supporting documents
2. Self-study against the eight standards
3. Review by a review team, with a draft report for your comment
4. Decision by the Accreditation Committee, with reasons
5. Annual monitoring while accredited

See Accreditation Process for the detail.

What you receive

• A written decision with the review team's findings
• If accredited, an Institutional Accreditation certificate stating the scope, the registration and certificate numbers and the dates
• A public registry entry that anyone can verify, including through the QR code on the certificate
• The right to use the HCDE mark within the scope of the certificate

Start an application or inquiry