An Overview of the Accreditation Process and Important Policies

Megan Scanlan, Director of Accreditation, megan@accredit-id.orgStacy Wright, Site Visit and Meeting Coordinator, stacy@accredit-id.org

“The future of the interior design profession depends on how well the next generation of designers is prepared to meet the ever changing challenges of our environment. Quality interior design education sets the foundation for students to enter the profession prepared to meet these challenges.”

- John A. Lijewski, FIIDA CIDA Board of

Directors

Purpose of AccreditationPurpose of Accreditation

Accreditation is a quality assurance process

Promotes achievement of high academic standards

Discipline-specific accreditation process includes program self-evaluation and peer review

Role of VolunteersRole of Volunteers

Peer evaluation is the cornerstone of accreditation

All CIDA evaluators and decision-makers are volunteers

CIDA staff administers the process, volunteers are experts in the field of interior design

Peer ReviewPeer Review

Site Visitors- on-site evaluators- review other team’s findings

Accreditation Commission-makes final decisions on

accreditation

Initiating the ProcessInitiating the Process

CIDA accreditation is voluntaryPrograms contact CIDA to begin the

processCIDA staff provide information and

supportCIDA website provides information and

resources for programs and site visitors

Candidacy StatusCandidacy Status

Candidacy is a pre-accreditation status available to new programs/programs in development

Granted for a non-renewable term that cannot exceed 5 years

Process for seeking candidacy modeled after accreditation process

Attainment of candidacy status does not guarantee program will eventually be accredited

Candidacy and Accreditation:Candidacy and Accreditation:What’s the difference?What’s the difference?In order to be eligible to seek

accreditation, a program must graduate 2 classes

In order to be eligible to seek candidacy status, a program must be in operation for 2 full academic years

Candidacy and Accreditation:Candidacy and Accreditation:What’s the difference?What’s the difference?

A program seeking candidacy status does not need to be in compliance/partial compliance with all Standards

A program seeking accreditation must be in compliance/partial compliance with all Standards

Applying for AccreditationApplying for Accreditation

Programs must demonstrate eligibility - Institutional accreditation/recognition

- Minimum of bachelor’s degree- 30 semester credit hours liberal arts & sciences

- Graduation of 2 classesAssessment of readinessApplication status confidential

Self-StudySelf-Study

CIDA encourages programs to regularly engage in effective self-study/analysis

Programs must conduct a self-study process in preparation for a CIDA review

CIDA provides Guidance for Self-study

Program Analysis ReportProgram Analysis Report

Program Analysis Report (PAR) communicates results of program’s self-study

Includes institutional and program data and background information

Analysis provided for each Standard addresses strengths and weaknesses and program compliance

Includes the Curriculum Matrix

Program Analysis ReportProgram Analysis Report

Due 8 weeks prior to site visitProgram submits a copy to CIDA office

and each member of visiting teamHard copy and electronic copy

submitted

The Site VisitThe Site Visit

PreparationVisiting teams formed 1 year in advanceTeam members begin communicating

approximately 8 weeks in advance (sometimes earlier depending on the team chair or co-chair)

Travel arrangements made 6 weeks in advance

Materials received from CIDA office 1 month in advance

Site visit schedule organized 1 month in advance

The Site VisitThe Site Visit

Site visitors arrive in the host city on Friday, site visit begins Saturday morning

Visiting team reviews student work, interviews faculty and students, observes classes, tours facilities

Visiting team works on Visiting Team Report (VTR) and prepares for interviews during evening work sessions

After the Site VisitAfter the Site Visit

Visiting Team Report (VTR) due in the CIDA office 1 week after the site visit

CIDA staff and two Accreditation Commissioners review and edit VTR

Visiting team receives an edited version of the report and a memo with questions about report content

After the Site VisitAfter the Site Visit

VTR is sent to the program for review and response

Program can address technical errors, content concerns, and plans for improvement related to weaknesses cited in VTR

Visiting team asked to respond to content concerns

After the Site VisitAfter the Site Visit

All Visiting Team Reports and any program responses are sent to groups of trained site visitors for review

Site visitors asked to provide input on the application of Standards within these reports

Site visitor feedback is sent to the Accreditation Commission

Accreditation DecisionAccreditation Decision

Accreditation Commission meets in spring and summer

In order to make decisions, Commissioners review all of the materials collected throughout the accreditation process (PAR, VTR, program response, site visitor comments, etc.)

CIDA’s list of accredited programs updated after each meeting

MonitoringMonitoring

All programs monitored to ensure they remain in compliance with Standards throughout the term of accreditation

Progress ReportInterim visit

ReaccreditationReaccreditation

Program revisited at the end of each 6 year term to maintain accreditation

A fresh look at the programAccredited programs do not submit an

application