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Accreditation Process

NAAE Accreditation Member Process

The NAAE accreditation process is structured to guide institutions through three stages: Membership, Candidate, and Accredited Member. Below is a high-level overview of each stage and the requirements needed to successfully fulfill each. 

Submit Notification of Commitment
Attend Candidacy Workshop​
Submit Candidacy Application​
Candidacy Visit​
Respond To Report
Attend Accreditation Workshop
Submit Self-Study
Participate in Technical Review & Readiness Visit
Submit Final Self-Study Materials
Site Visit
Respond to Report of Findings
Public Profile Updated
Interim Report as Required by Commission
Annual Achievement Reporting & Mid-Point Reporting (year 4/7)

Affiliate Member

An Affiliate Member of NAAE is an institution of higher education that meets NAAE eligibility requirements and has committed to upholding the NAAE Principles.

Steps to becoming an NAAE Affiliate member:

  1. Submit Notification of Commitment & application fee
  2. NAAE Review and Approval
  3. Maintain compliance with requirements for NAAE Membership


To be eligible as an Affiliate Member, an institution must:

  • Be in compliance and good standing with the legal requirements of jurisdiction for all locations where it administers degrees
  • If applicable, is in good standing with its current institutional accrediting agency
  • If applicable, be in good standing with U.S. Department of Education / Federal Student Aid
  • If applicable, be in good standing with Office of Veterans Affairs approving authority
  • Have a publicly stated mission that aligns with the NAAE mission and principles
  • Have graduated at least one cohort
  • Have current enrollment of at least 50 full-time students
  • Retain an independent governing board
  • Confer at least bachelor’s degrees
    • If the institution confers associate degrees, it must also still confer degree(s) at the bachelor’s level or higher
  • Evidence publicly stated expectations and results of student learning outcomes and achievement measures at both the institutional & program level
  • Sanction the dedication of institutional resources toward achievement of NAAE accreditation
  • Confirm its commitment to the integration of NAAE Principles
  • Commit to the expedient pursuit of an NAAE grant of accreditation

Candidate Member

Candidate Members for accreditation are NAAE Members who have successfully demonstrated an alignment with the NAAE Standards; re-affirmed its commitment to academic excellence, robust scholarship, and freedom of thought and inquiry; and have been deemed eligible by the NAAE Commission on Accreditation to proceed with seeking full institutional accreditation by NAAE.

Steps to becoming a candidate member for NAAE accreditation: 

  1. Participate in Candidacy Workshop
  2. Submit Application for Candidacy
  3. Participate in a technical review
  4. Undergo a candidacy visit
  5. Respond to the visit report
  6. Review and decision by The Commission on Accreditation
  7. Maintain compliance with requirements for NAAE Candidate Membership

Accredited Member

An Accredited Member has successfully completed the NAAE accreditation process and received a grant of accreditation by the NAAE Commission on Accreditation. An Accredited Member has demonstrated compliance with the NAAE Principles and remains dedicated to delivering excellence in higher education for the formation of the human person, the advancement of societal knowledge, and respect for the dignity of humankind.

Steps to receiving a grant of accreditation from NAAE:

  1. Participate in an Accreditation Workshop
  2. Conduct Self-Study year
  3. Submit Self-Study to NAAE
  4. Participate in a technical review
  5. Undergo a readiness visit
  6. Undergo accreditation visit
  7. Respond to visit report
  8. Review and decision by Commission on Accreditation
  9. Maintain compliance with requirements for NAAE Accredited Members