Accreditation is based upon the inspection of the full range of the institution’s provisions and supporting activities, together with a detailed consideration of the it’s documentation. This helps to ensure that the on-going operations of the institution qualifies the industry standards.
Our accreditation process involves four stages which progress through these five steps.
Stage 0: Informal inquiry
It is advisable that before approaching ACPMA for an accreditation request formally , an institute may take an informal approach to the communicate with ACPMA. The ACPMA spokesperson will be able to advise the potential applicant about the fundamental eligibility criteria and how to proceed application through the formal stages.
Stage 1 – Scrutiny of Application Form and Accompanying Documents
Stage 1 involves the review of the documentation submitted with the application. If the information provided is assessed as acceptable, the process moves to Stage 2. Otherwise, the institution may be advised either to take necessary corrective measures, or it is unlikely that ACPMA would accredit it at this stage of its development.
Stage 2 – Initial Inspection Visit
The Stage 2 inspection will normally include as minimum as a one day visit by an ACPMA Inspectors, who will focus on the institution’s compliance with statutory and immigration requirements, premises, health and safety, quality of management and student support services, and the adequacy of the teaching resources for the advertised or planned courses. The inspectors will need to examine procedural documentation, attendance record systems, examples of marked work and feedback forms from students, and statutory documentation.
During their visit, the inspectors will also meet the key management staff, principal and the institution’s owner, along with a tour of the premises. After the visit, they will prepare and submit a report to the ACPMA Accreditation Committee. The report will also identify any areas the college needs to improve before accreditation is awarded.
The decision of the Accreditation Committee will rest upon an insightful examination of the inspectors’ report , in case of qualification, the committee will award an Interim Accreditation. Interim Accreditation will last for a period of 12 months. If accreditation is not awarded at this stage, the institution will be informed of this and given the chance to appeal against the decision, if they can provide grounds for reconsideration.
Stage 3 – Accreditation Inspection Visit
A full scale inspection covers the following areas: 1. Management, Staffing and Administration 2. Teaching, Learning and Assessment 3. Student Welfare 4. Premises and Facilities.
Institution’s quality management and quality assurance procedures are assessed throughout each area of inspection. While all four areas of operation will be covered during the Stage 3 inspection, there will be an emphasis on academic matters, including learning and teaching, resources and quality management, together with student welfare and reporting to official bodies. The Inspectors will also ensure that the institution has responded satisfactorily to issues raised during Stage 2. In general, inspectors will seek to encourage institutions to look for ways in which they might continue to improve their provision and suggest ways in which this might be achieved.
During Stage 3, the inspectors will need to meet the principal, staff members, CEO, and possibly the institution’s owners. This is followed by detailed surveys and assessments; teaching sessions will be observed, and the inspectors will meet the students privately to assess their viewpoints. Finally, there will be a meeting with the principal where the inspectors will provide an informal report and feedback on their findings.
The inspector will then submit a report to the Accreditation Committee who will consider whether or not to award Full Accreditation. Full Accreditation will last for a period of two years.
