The U.S. Department of Education’s “Program Integrity” rules take effect on July 1, 2011. Click to read P.O.P.E.’s memo about Virginia’s regulations concerning certification and physical presence.
Accreditation
The goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality. The U.S. Department of Education has a list of regional and national accrediting agencies that they recognize as reliable authorities concerning the quality of education or training offered by the institutions of higher education or higher education programs they accredit. In order for a school to participate in the federal Title IV student financial aid program, it must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
- Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
- Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT)
- Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)
- Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)
- Council on Occupational Education (COE)
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACS)
- National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Science (NACCAS)
- New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC)
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
- Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS)
Further explanation of Accreditation
Career College Advisory Board (CCAB)
The Career College Advisory Board was established in 2004 by the Council to provide advisory services in academic and administrative matters and other issues related to private proprietary postsecondary education school operating in Virginia. Any private proprietary institutions of higher education or academic-vocational non-degree school certified to operate by SCHEV is eligible to have a representative on CCAB.
The current CCAB officers are:
- Steven Cotton, National College of Business & Technology – Chairperson
- Charles McCabe, Peoples Income Tax, Inc. – Secretary
- Mark Dreyfus, ECPI College of Technology
- Mark Singer, Virginia Career College Association
- M. Lauck Walton, Westwood College
Virginia Out-of-State, Non-Profit Colleges and Universities (VONCU)
VONCU is a professional organization with members from regionally accredited, not for profit and public, colleges and universities who have campuses in Virginia and are certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.2007-2008 VONCU Board
President - Susan Paulson, St. Leo University
President/President Elect - Dick Gates, Central Texas College
Secretary - Rick Patterson, National-Louis University
Treasurer - Chris Burge, Troy University
Virginia Career College Association
The Virginia Career College Association is a nonprofit association created three decades ago to promote the interests of the postsecondary proprietary institution sector of higher education in Virginia and to inform the public about the benefits of private career institution education. VCCA is a voluntary organization, whose members are accredited and offer programs and degrees focused on job-oriented, specialized training in information technology, numerous medical and business careers, the culinary arts, and many other high demand occupations.
National Association of State Administrators and Supervisors of Private Schools (NASASPS)
The membership of NASASPS consists of those administrators and supervisors in the United States, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories, and Canada who have administrative and supervisory responsibility for the regulation and supervision of private occupational educational programs delivered in residence, home study, distance education, or any combination thereof and other individuals interested in private occupational education.