Certificate Program Accreditation: Self-Assessment Checklist
This tool helps assess your program’s readiness for CACS 2100-2021 accreditation. Complete all criteria before submitting your application.
Note: “Evidence Available” rating required for all items. Other ratings indicate program not ready for accreditation.
Required Documentation Field Instructions
For each standard’s “Required Documentation” field below, please provide:
- Specific document names – List exact titles of policies, procedures, or evidence files
- Location references – Where documents can be found (website URLs, file paths, etc.)
- Version information – Include document versions and last updated dates when applicable
- Contact information – Name and role of person responsible for each document
- Accessibility notes – Any special access requirements or viewing instructions
Example: “Student Handbook v3.2 (updated Jan 2024) – located at www.ourschool.edu/handbook – Contact: Jane Smith, Academic Director”
Progress Summary
0 of 32 criteria marked as “Evidence Available”
Standard 1: Program Scope
| Criteria | Evidence Available | Working Toward | No Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provides instruction to develop specific knowledge/skills | |||
| Evaluates participant achievement of learning outcomes | |||
| Issues certificates only to those meeting assessment standards |
Required Documentation: Program summary (purpose, scope, goals, audience)
Standard 2: Structure & Resources
| Criteria | Evidence Available | Working Toward | No Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recognized legal entity | |||
| Controls program definition, prerequisites, completion criteria, certificates | |||
| Program requirements align with purpose/scope | |||
| Financially viable operations | |||
| Sufficient qualified staff with documented roles | |||
| Qualified subject matter experts for content/assessment | |||
| Quality assurance procedures for all activities | |||
| Periodic program evaluations for improvement |
Required Documentation: Legal docs, policies, 2-year financials, org chart, job descriptions, CVs, evaluation reports
Standard 3: Policies & Procedures
| Criteria | Evidence Available | Working Toward | No Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staff qualification requirements | |||
| Education/training development & delivery procedures | |||
| Assessment development & administration procedures | |||
| Publicly available program information | |||
| Misconduct policies (cheating, misrepresentation) | |||
| Fair, legally compliant procedures |
Required Documentation: Policy manual, public participant handbook, accommodation procedures
Standard 4: Records Management
| Criteria | Evidence Available | Working Toward | No Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designated records manager | |||
| Participant performance & certificate holder records | |||
| Document review, update, retention & disposal procedures |
Required Documentation: Role definitions, record templates, SOPs, retention policy, confidentiality forms, security procedures
Standard 5: Education/Training
| Criteria | Evidence Available | Working Toward | No Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Needs analysis process consistent with program purpose | |||
| Training/outcomes based on needs analysis | |||
| Uses accepted instructional design methods | |||
| Qualified instructors deliver appropriate methods | |||
| Annual content review by qualified SMEs | |||
| Instructor performance evaluation process |
Required Documentation: Needs analysis process/results, design document, content outline, instructor qualifications, review reports, evaluation samples, content modules
Standard 6: Assessment
| Criteria | Evidence Available | Working Toward | No Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summative assessments measure learning outcomes | |||
| Appropriate validation methodology | |||
| Clear assessment-to-outcome linkage | |||
| Assessment type/content appropriate for measurement | |||
| Consistent administration across environments | |||
| Accepted method for setting passing standards | |||
| Documented scoring rules/rubrics | |||
| Rater training/calibration for subjective assessments | |||
| Comparable assessment versions | |||
| Appropriate results reporting with interpretation guidance | |||
| Statistical analysis procedures for assessment data |
Required Documentation: Assessment specifications, validation reports, administration guides, scoring rubrics, rater training materials, statistical analysis procedures
Overall Accreditation Readiness
0
Completed
0
Working Toward
32
No Evidence
32
Total Criteria
Assessment Incomplete
Progress: 0% Ready for Accreditation
Required Documents Missing Evidence
The following documentation areas require “Evidence Available” status:
- Standard 1: Program summary (purpose, scope, goals, audience)
- Standard 2: Legal docs, policies, 2-year financials, org chart, job descriptions, CVs, evaluation reports
- Standard 3: Policy manual, public participant handbook, accommodation procedures
- Standard 4: Role definitions, record templates, SOPs, retention policy, confidentiality forms, security procedures
- Standard 5: Needs analysis process/results, design document, content outline, instructor qualifications, review reports, evaluation samples, content modules
- Standard 6: Assessment specifications, validation reports, administration guides, scoring rubrics, rater training materials, statistical analysis procedures