National Accrediting Commission on Higher Education

Accreditation Process

A rigorous, transparent sequence that moves from eligibility and self-evaluation to independent review, decision, monitoring, and renewal.

Initial Inquiry

The institution provides its legal name, location, delivery model, programs, and requested accreditation scope.

A formal application and required institutional information are submitted for review.

NACHE evaluates whether the institution and proposed scope are suitable to proceed.

The institution evaluates its performance against applicable standards and organizes supporting evidence.

Reviewers assess policies, records, outcomes, governance evidence, and the self-evaluation report.

Independent evaluators conduct interviews and on-site or virtual verification where appropriate.

Findings are considered against applicable standards before a decision and conditions are communicated.

Accredited institutions provide required updates and remain subject to compliance review.

Accreditation is periodically reconsidered using updated evidence, performance information, and review findings.