Public input requested: revision of the Accreditation Documents

Proposed text

On-Site and Virtual Phases of Site Evaluation

Excerpt from the 2025 Accreditation Documents including the proposed revision. SET refers to the Site Evaluation Team.

The SET employs various forms of electronic communications including videoconference, teleconference, and web-based interactions.

Two members of the SET conduct the initial phase of the site evaluation. The initial phase of the evaluation consists of an on-site visit, usually lasting one or two days. The on-site visit consists of a campus tour and meetings with college leadership, faculty, students, and other personnel, as determined by a review of the self-evaluation during the initial SET meeting.

The on-site visitors will prepare a written report to be presented to the SET. The SET will meet to review the on-site team's findings, identify any needed information, plan additional interviews, and schedule the remaining work to complete the virtual phase of the evaluation.

The virtual phase of the site evaluation takes place over a period of time, usually two weeks to one month. It includes the institution's leadership team, other administrators, faculty, students, trustees and any other appropriate constituents/stakeholders of the program.

A two-way dialogue takes place and may include questions or specific statements about IACE Standards or procedures, which are thereby clarified and/or answered. The SET members are also able to interact with each other and gain a thorough working knowledge of the program. The overarching purpose of the virtual site visitation is to validate and verify the content of the SER. Through interviews and review of requested documentation the SET gains a much greater depth of knowledge and understanding of the educational program.

During the virtual phase of the site evaluation the SET members continuously compile their respective portions of what will become a written report. The Team Chair receives their submissions which are coalesced by the Chair into a Preliminary Site Evaluation Report (PSER). This report is presented to the CEO and on-campus leadership (as determined by the CEO) during a teleconference or videoconference.