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Disclaimer
2026 Accreditation

Accreditation Standards

The institution has a clearly defined mission that reflects its character, values, organizational structure, and unique student population. The mission outlines the institution’s explicit commitment to equitable student achievement and serves as a guiding principle for institutional planning, action, evaluation, improvement, and innovation.

  1. The institution has established a clearly defined mission that appropriately reflects its character, values, structure, and unique student demographics. The institution’s mission articulates its commitment to ensuring equitable educational opportunities and outcomes for all students.
  2. The institution establishes meaningful and ambitious goals for institutional improvement, innovation, and equitable student outcomes.
  3. The institution holds itself accountable for achieving its mission and goals and regularly reviews relevant, meaningfully disaggregated data to evaluate its progress and inform plans for continued improvement and innovation.
  4. The institution’s mission directs resource allocation, innovation, and continuous quality improvement through ongoing systematic planning and evaluation of programs and services.
  5. The institution regularly communicates progress toward achieving its mission and goals with internal and external stakeholders in order to promote understanding of institutional strengths, priorities, and areas for continued improvement.

Required Documentation – Institutional Mission and Effectiveness

Within the Institutional Self-Evaluation Report, the institution will provide narratives and a variety of evidence sources to describe and demonstrate alignment with each Standard. Institutions must also include documentation of the required items below. This documentation can be included as supporting evidence for the Standard narratives if appropriate, or they may be provided as stand-alone files. Peer Review Teams will confirm these items during the comprehensive review process using a checklist.

  • Institutional procedures/practices for periodic review of mission/mission-related statements, including provisions for revision (if/when revisions are needed) that allow for participation of institutional stakeholders, as appropriate for the character and context of the institution
  • Documentation of the governing board’s approval of the institutional mission
  • Procedures/processes for setting institutional goals, including provisions for the inclusion of input from relevant institutional stakeholders, as appropriate for the character and context of the institution
  • Documentation that the institution has established standards and goals for student achievement (i.e., institution-set standards) in accordance with Commission policy and practices for monitoring institutional performance, including standards and goals for course success, degree and certificate attainment, transfer, job placement rates, and licensure examination pass rates

In alignment with its mission, the institution delivers high-quality academic and learning support programs that engage and support students through their unique educational journeys. Academic and learning support programs promote equitable student success, and the institution evaluates student learning and achievement data to inform improvements and advance equitable outcomes.

  1. Academic programs at all locations and in all modes of delivery are offered in fields of study consistent with the institution’s mission and reflect appropriate breadth, depth, and expected learning outcomes.
  2. The institution, relying on faculty and other appropriate stakeholders, designs and delivers academic programs that reflect relevant discipline and industry standards and support equitable attainment of learning outcomes and achievement of educational goals.
  3. All degree programs include a general education framework to ensure the development of broad knowledge, skills, and competencies related to communication, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, information literacy, civic responsibility, and the ability to engage with diverse perspectives.
  4. The institution communicates clear, accurate, and accessible information regarding programs, services, and resources that foster success in students’ unique educational journeys.
  5. The institution holds itself accountable for students’ success by scheduling courses in a manner that ensures degree and certificate programs can be completed in the expected period of time.
  6. The institution uses delivery modes and teaching methodologies that meet student and curricular needs and promote equitable student learning and achievement.
  7. The institution designs and delivers equitable and effective services and programs that support students in their unique educational journeys, address academic and non-academic needs, and maximize their potential for success. Such services include library and learning resources, academic counseling and support, and other services the institution identifies as appropriate for its mission and student needs.
  8. The institution fosters a sense of belonging and community with its students by providing multiple opportunities for engagement with the institution, programs, and peers. Such opportunities reflect the varied needs of the student population and effectively support students’ unique educational journeys.
  9. The institution conducts systematic review and assessment to ensure the quality of its academic, learning support, and student services programs and implement improvements and innovations in support of equitable student achievement.

Required Documentation – Student Success

Within the Institutional Self-Evaluation Report, the institution will provide narratives and a variety of evidence sources to describe and demonstrate alignment with each Standard. Institutions must also include documentation of the required items below. This documentation can be included as supporting evidence for the Standard narratives if appropriate, or they may be provided as stand-alone files. Peer Review Teams will confirm these items during the comprehensive review process using a checklist.

  • Policies and/or other documentation regarding transfer of credit into and out of the institution
  • Documentation of minimum degree requirements (60 units for AA, 120 units for BA)
  • Policies/procedures related to program discontinuance, demonstrating that the institution provides enrolled students with opportunities for timely completion in the event of program elimination
  • Policies related to catalog, communication, recruiting, enrollment, admissions, etc.
  • Documentation that the official catalog provides information regarding the purpose, content, requirements, and expected learning outcomes of degree and certificate programs
  • Policies/processes for student complaints, demonstrating how the institution communicates process to students and handles complaints with due process
  • Verification that student records are stored permanently, securely, and confidentially, with provision for secure backup
  • Policies/practices for release of student records
  • Documentation of alignment with ACCJC Policy on Institutional Compliance with Title IV (if applicable)
  • Documentation of agreements with other external parties regarding the provision of student and/or learning support services, if applicable
  • Documentation showing how the institution distinguishes pre-collegiate curriculum from college-level curriculum (if applicable)
  • Documentation of compliance with Federal standards for clock-to-credit hour conversions (if applicable)
  • Policies and/or other documentation related to expectation of conformity with specific codes of conduct, worldviews, or beliefs (if applicable)
  • Policies and/or other documentation related to credit for prior learning and competency-based credit (if applicable)
  • Documentation and/or other evidence demonstrating alignment with ACCJC Policy on Distance Education and on Correspondence Education (if applicable)

The institution supports its educational services and operational functions with effective infrastructure, qualified personnel, and stable finances. The institution organizes its staffing and allocates its physical, technological, and financial resources to improve its overall effectiveness and promote equitable student success. The institution actively monitors and assesses resource capacity to inform improvements to infrastructure and ensure long-term health and stability.

  1. The institution employs qualified faculty, staff, administrators, and other personnel to support and sustain educational services and improve student success. The institution maintains appropriate policies and regularly assesses its employment practices to promote and improve equity, diversity, and mission fulfillment.
  2. The institution supports its employees with professional learning opportunities aligned with the mission and institutional goals. These opportunities are regularly evaluated for overall effectiveness in promoting equitable student success and in meeting institutional and employee needs.
  3. The institution evaluates its employees regularly, using clear criteria that align with professional responsibilities and reflect the institution’s mission and goals.
  4. The institution develops, maintains, and enhances its educational services and operational functions through the effective use of fiscal resources. Financial resources support and sustain the mission and promote equitable achievement of student success.
  5. The institution’s mission and goals are the foundation for financial planning. Financial information is disseminated to support effective planning and decision-making and provide opportunities for stakeholders to participate in the development of plans and budgets.
  6. The institution ensures the integrity and responsible use of its financial resources and regularly evaluates its fiscal outcomes and financial management practices to promote institutional mission fulfillment.
  7. The institution ensures financial solvency. When making short-range financial plans, the institution considers its long-range financial priorities and future obligations to ensure sustained fiscal stability.
  8. The institution constructs and maintains physical resources to support and sustain educational services and operational functions. The institution ensures safe and effective physical resources at all locations where it offers instruction, student services, and/or learning supports.
  9. The institution implements, enhances, and secures its technology resources to support and sustain educational services and operational functions. The institution clearly communicates requirements for the safe and appropriate use of technology to students and employees and employs effective protocols for network and data security.
  10. The institution has appropriate strategies for risk management and has policies and procedures in place to implement contingency plans in the event of financial, environmental, or technological emergencies and other unforeseen circumstances.

Required Documentation – Infrastructure and Resources

Within the Institutional Self-Evaluation Report, the institution will provide narratives and a variety of evidence sources to describe and demonstrate alignment with each Standard. Evidence sources will vary from institution to institution. Institutions must also include documentation of the items below. These required items can be included as supporting evidence for the Standard narratives, or they may be provided as stand-alone files. Peer Review Teams will confirm these items during the comprehensive review process using a checklist.

  • Written policies and procedures for human resources, including hiring procedures
  • Employee handbooks or similar documents that communicate expectations to employees
  • If applicable, written code of professional ethics for all personnel including consequences for violations
  • Annual financial audit reports (3 prior years, including any auxiliary organizations)
  • Practices for resource allocation and budget development (including budget allocation model for multi-college districts/systems)
  • Policies around Title IV including the most recent three-year student loan default rates
  • Policies guiding fiscal management (e.g., related to reserves, budget development)
  • Any agreements that fall under ACCJC’s policy on contractual relationships with non-accredited organizations
  • Policies, procedures or agreements (e.g., AUAs) related to appropriate use of technology systems

The institution engages in clear and effective governance practices that support the achievement of its mission. Governance roles and responsibilities are delineated in widely distributed policies, and institutional decision-making processes provide opportunities for meaningful participation and inclusion of relevant stakeholders.

  1. The institution upholds an explicit commitment to principles of academic freedom, academic integrity, and freedom of inquiry.
  2. Roles, responsibilities, and authority for decision-making are clearly defined and communicated throughout the institution. The institution’s structure for decision-making provides opportunities for stakeholder participation and ensures the inclusion of relevant perspectives.
  3. The institution’s decision-making structures are used consistently and effectively. Institutional decision-making practices support a climate of collaboration and innovation that advances the mission and prioritizes equitable student outcomes.
  4. Acting through policy, the governing board takes responsibility for the overall quality and stability of the institution, and regularly monitors progress towards its goals and fiscal health.
  5. The governing board selects and evaluates the institution’s chief executive officer (CEO). The governing board gives the CEO full authority to implement board policies and ensure effective operations and fulfillment of the institutional mission.
  6. The governing board functions effectively as a collective entity to promote the institution’s values and mission and fulfill its fiduciary responsibilities. The governing board demonstrates an ability to self-govern in adherence to its bylaws and expectations for best practices in board governance.

Required Documentation – Governance and Decision-Making

Within the Institutional Self-Evaluation Report, the institution will provide narratives and a variety of evidence sources to describe and demonstrate alignment with each Standard. Institutions must also include documentation of the required items below. This documentation can be included as supporting evidence for the Standard narratives if appropriate, or they may be provided as stand-alone files. Peer Review Teams will confirm these items during the comprehensive review process using a checklist.

  • Governing board policies/procedures for selecting and regularly evaluating its chief executive officer
  • Governing board policies/procedures/bylaws related to Board Ethics
  • Governing board policies/procedures/bylaws related to conflict of interest

Adopted June 2023

Spring Recess
March 30 - April 5, 2025
Cesar Chavez Day (Holiday)
March 31, 2025
Flex Day (No Classes)
April 17, 2025