What Are the Benefits and Incentives for the Various Levels?

THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS APPLICANT STATUS

http://paascu.org.ph/?page_id=111
An educational institution committed to institutional self- improvement through the
guidance of PAASCU may request to become an Applicant Institution.
1. Requirements:
a. Application letter from the President or Director of the Institution, addressed to the
PAASCU Board of Directors.
b. Department of Education/CHED certificate of recognition
Submission of the documents supporting the institutions case for acceptance
should include the institutions objectives, history, organizational structure and bylaws, principal administrators, number of faculty members, number of students,
and any other materials /brochures/ manuals/ or other publications.
Payment of an application fee.
2. PAASCUs Actions and Responsibilities:
a. Formal acceptance as an Applicant Institution.
b. Assistance through Consultancy Services.
CANDIDATE STATUS
Candidate status is granted to institutions which have completed their preliminary
survey visit and preparing for initial accreditation. Candidacy is not accreditation and
does not assure eventual accreditation. It is an indication that an institution is
progressing toward accreditation.
1. Requirements:
a. Completion of a preliminary survey visit.
b. Implementation of the recommendations of the preliminary survey team.
c. Completion of an Institutional Self-Survey using the PAASCU survey forms.
d. Submission of the accomplished Self-Survey at least one (1) month prior to
Formal Survey Visit.
e. Assessment which is on candidate status is on until such time that it meets the
requirements of a Member Institution.
2. PAASCUs Actions and Responsibilities:
a. Consultancy services, particularly during the Institutional Self- Survey process,
are made available.
b. Scheduling of a Formal Survey Visit upon request of the institution.
MEMBER STATUS
A Candidate Institution which has fulfilled the requirements of accreditation may be
granted Member status.
1. Requirements:
a. The Institution should receive a favorable rating after the Formal Survey Visit.
b. The Institution should implement the recommendations of the Formal Survey
Team.
c. Payment of the membership fee.
d. Favorable evaluation by a PAASCU Formal Survey Team leads to the granting of
accreditation for a period of three (3) years. With this, the institution becomes a
full member of the Association. At the end of the initial three-year accreditation
period, the school undergoes another self- evaluation.
e. Applies for re-accreditation if the second formal visit is favorable, then
accreditation is awarded for a period of five (5) years.
2. PAASCUs Actions and Responsibilities:
a. Consultancy services to strengthen the areas needing improvement.
b. Assistance through school improvement program and services.
c. Continued liaison with FAAP and the Department of Education and the
Commission on Higher Education.

Advantages of Accreditation
A. Level I/ Level II:

Full administrative deregulation, provided that reports of promotion of students

and lists of graduates are available for review by CHED at all times.

Financial deregulation in terms of setting tuition and other school fees and charges.

Authority to revise the curriculum without CHED approval provided that CHED and
Professional Regulation Commission minimum requirements and guidelines, where
applicable, are complied with and the revised curriculum is submitted to CHED
Regional Offices.

Authority to graduate students from accredited courses or programs of study in the

levels accredited without prior approval of the CHED and without need for Special
Orders.

Priority in the awards of grants/subsidies or funding assistance from CHED-Higher

Education Development Fund (HEDF) for scholarships and faculty development,
facilities improvement and other development programs.

Right to use on its publications or advertisements the word ACCREDITED

pursuant to CHED policies and rules.

Limited visitation, inspection and/or supervision by CHED supervisory personnel or

representatives.

B. Level III:

All the benefits for Level I/II.

Authority to offer new courses allied to existing Level III courses without need for
prior approval, provided that the concerned CHED Regional Office (CHEDRO) is duly
informed.

Privilege to apply for authority to offer new graduate programs, open learning/
distance education, extension classes and to participate in the transnational
education.

C. Level IV:

All the benefits for Levels I, II and III.

Grant of full autonomy for the program for the duration of its Level IV accredited
status.

Authority to offer new graduate programs allied to existing Level IV courses, open
learning/ distance education and extension classes without need for prior approval
by CHED provided that the concerned CHEDRO is duly informed.

WHAT ARE THE OTHER ADVANTAGES?

Membership in PAASCU:
1. gives the institution and its faculty a sense of direction based on a clearer self- image.
2. facilitates transfer of students.
3. provides guidance for parents and students in the choice of worthy schools.

4. gives prestige for member schools, justified by the possession of quality standards and the
continuing effort to
maintain them at a high level.
ARE MEMBER SCHOOLS ENTITLED TO ANY SERVICES?
Yes. The following services are available to member schools:
1. Consultancy services: PAASCU makes available to institutions its accreditation
consultancy services to assist them in their institutional self-survey process and in their
preparation for survey visits.
2. Assistance to institutional programs: Complementing the institutions own
efforts at upgrading academic standards and in-service for administrative personnel, PAASCU
organizes various training seminars, workshops and conferences in different areas.
3. Liaison and cooperation with the Department of Education and the
Commission on Higher Education:PAASCU seeks to assist members in identifying
areas of liaison and cooperation with the Department of Education and CHED regional offices.

PACUCOA policies and accreditation procedure

Since accreditation is a serious attempt to achieve a high degree of quality in the

operations/administration of a program or a school, school heads administrators,
faculty and staff are advised to take note of the policies and steps in the process.

A. CONSULTANCY VISIT

Policy Statements
(1) Any school/program, including a school selected to try out a new
survey instrument, will have to undergo a orientation on accreditation
visit prior to the conduct of the self-survey. The purposes of the
orientation on accreditation visit are to orient the constituents of the
school on the philosophy, objectives, policies and procedures of
accreditation and to ascertain whether the school has complied with
the basic requirements of accreditation. However, a consultancy visit
may also be scheduled to extend technical assistance to a
program/school any time the school needs it.
(2) The orientation on accreditation visit may be scheduled any time
during the school year.
(3) The program can proceed with the self-survey if and when it is
given the go signal to do so by the Board of Directors.

Procedures
(1) Applicant school submits a written request for orientation on
accreditation visit, stating the date of the visit and the program/s to be
accredited.
(2) PACUCOA schedules the visit, invites a team of consultants,
usually two per program and notifies the institution accordingly.
(3) A workshop is conducted where the constituents of the school are
oriented on the philosophy, objectives, policies and procedures of
accreditation. An ocular tour of the facilities is done to assess whether
the school can proceed with the self-survey.
(4) The PACUCOA Board of Directors either gives the school the go
signal to proceed with the self-survey or requires the school to comply
with the recommendations of the team of consultants before
conducting the self-survey. The program should undergo preliminary
visit not later than one year from the time the consultancy visit was
done. Otherwise, the program will be required to undergo another
consultancy visit.

B. PRELIMINARY VISIT

Policy Statements
(1) A self-survey instrument rating on the eight (8) or nine (9) areas
will have to be done using the prescribed survey instrument and
submitted to PACUCOA secretariat.
(2) The accreditors are expected to study the documents submitted by
the school including the compliance report and the self-survey
instruments before the visit.

Procedures
(1) Upon submission to PACUCOA of a letter of intent and approval of
the dates of the survey visit, the chairman of the Survey Executive
Committee shall inform the academic community of the visit to
generate maximum awareness, preparation and participation.

(2) The Survey Executive Committee shall see to the readiness and
availability of the following:
2.1 the accreditors work headquarters provided with adequate
amenities;
2.2 the necessary exhibits and other evidences in support of the selfsurvey report are placed in the headquarters;
2.3 the availability of the officers, faculty, staff, students and alumni of
the school who may be interviewed by the accreditors;
2.4 call slips for interview schedules;
2.5 syllabi, class registers, and seat plans for class visitation.
(3) Upon arrival, the team chairman prepares the schedule of activities
for the survey visit in consultation with the Survey Executive
Committeechairman. The schedule usually includes an orientation
meeting with the members of the Survey Executive Committee,
separate dialogues with the students, alumni and faculty
representatives, together with non-teaching staff, examination of
exhibits, ocular visits of facilities, class observation, interviews, post
accreditation conference and exit meeting with the administrators.
(4) The accrediting team verifies the self-survey report by reviewing

the exhibits, observing classes, conducting formal and informal

interviews/dialogues with the constituents of the school and
community members and ocular visits.
(5) The accrediting team prepares a report and submits the same to
the PACUCOA secretariat not later than two weeks after the visit.
(6) The PACUCOA Board of Directors deliberates on the report and
acts on it. The action of the board of directors may either be one of the
following options:
6.1 The school may be given candidate status for two years and may
apply for a formal accredited status within two years;
6.2 The Board of Directors may defer action on the program for six
months to one year pending substantial compliance with the
recommendations of the accrediting team;
(7) PACUCOA transmits the action of the Board of Directors as well as
the chairmans report, containing the strengths, points to improve and
recommendations to the school.
(8) FAAP is officially informed of the Board of Directors decision for
certification purposes.

C. LEVEL I FORMAL VISIT

Policy Statements
(1) Upon submission to PACUCOA of a letter of intent and a
compliance report indicating substantial and satisfactory compliance
with the recommendations of the Preliminary Survey Team, the
schedule for a Formal Survey Visit may be set.
(2) A self-survey rating on the eight (8)/nine (9) areas will have to be
done again using the prescribed survey instrument and submitted to
PACUCOA secretariat.
(3) The accreditors are expected to study the documents submitted by
the school including the compliance report and the self-survey
instruments before the visit.

Procedures
(1) Upon approval of the dates of the survey visit, the chairman of the

survey executive committee shall inform the academic community of

the visit to generate maximum awareness, preparation and
participation.
(2) The Survey Executive Committee shall see to the readiness and
availability of the following:
2.1 the accreditors work headquarters, provided with
adequateamenities;
2.2 the necessary exhibits and other evidences in support of the selfsurvey report;
2.3 the availability of the officers, faculty, staff, students and alumni of
the school who may be interviewed by the accreditors;
2.4 syllabi, class registers, and seat plan for class visitation.
(3) Upon arrival, the team chairman prepares the schedule of activities
for the survey, in consultation with the Survey Executive Committee
chairman. The schedule usually includes an orientation meeting with
the members of the Survey Executive Committee, separate dialogues
with students, alumni and faculty representatives, together with nonteaching staff, examination of exhibits, ocular visits of facilities, class
observation and interviews, post accreditation conference and exit
meeting with the administrators.
(4) The accrediting team verifies the self-survey report by reviewing
the exhibits, observing classes, conducting formal and informal
interviews/dialogues with the constituents of the school and
community members and ocular visits.
(5) The accrediting team prepares a report and submits the same to
the PACUCOA secretariat not later than two weeks after the visit.
(6) The PACUCOA Board of Directors deliberates on the report and
acts on it. The action of the Board of Directors may either be one of
the following options:
6.1 The school may be given formal accredited status for three years
6.2 The Board of Directors may defer action on the program for six
months to one year pending substantial compliance with the
recommendations of the accrediting team.
(7) PACUCOA transmits the action of the Board of Directors as well as
the chairmans report to the school.
(8) FAAP is officially informed of the Board of Directors decision for
certification purposes.

D. LEVEL II REACCREDITATION VISIT

Policy Statements
(1) Upon submission to PACUCOA of a letter of intent, at least 6
months prior to the expiration of the accreditation status and a
compliance report, indicating substantial and satisfactory compliance
with the recommendations of the Level I Accreditation Survey Team,
the schedule for a Level II Reaccreditation survey visit may be set.
(2) A self-survey report and ratings on the eight (8)/nine (9) areas will
have to be accomplished again and submitted to the PACUCOA
secretariat.
(3) The accreditors are expected to study the documents submitted by
the school including the compliance report and the self-survey
instruments before the visit.

Procedures
(1) Upon approval of the dates of the survey visit, the chairman of the
survey executive committee shall inform the academic community of
the visit to generate maximum awareness, preparation and
participation.
(2) The Survey Executive Committee shall see to the readiness and
availability of the following.
2.1 the accreditors work headquarters, complete with adequate
amenities;
2.2 the necessary exhibits and other evidences in support of the selfsurvey report;
2.3 the availability of the officers, faculty, staff, students and alumni of
the school who may be interviewed by the accreditors;
2.4 call slips for interview schedules;
2.5 syllabi, class registers, and seat plans for class visitation.
(3) The team chairman prepares the schedule of activities during the
survey visit in consultation with the survey executive committee
chairman upon arrival. The schedule usually includes an orientation
meeting with the members of the survey executive committee,
separate dialogues with students, parents, alumni and faculty
representatives together with non-teaching staff, examination of
exhibits, ocular visits of facilities, class observation and interviews,

post accreditation conference and exit meeting with the administrators.

(4) The accrediting team verifies the self-survey report by reviewing
the exhibits, observing classes, conducting formal and informal
interviews/dialogues with the constituents of the school and
community members and ocular visits.
(5) The accrediting team prepares a report and submits the same to
the PACUCOA secretariat not later than two weeks after the visit.
(6) The PACUCOA Board of Directors deliberates on the report and
acts on it. The action of the Board of Directors may either be one of
the following options.
6.1 The school may be given Level II Reaccredited status for five
years.
6.2 The school may be given Level II Reaccredited Status for five
years on condition that it submits a periodic report on its compliance
with the recommendations of the accrediting team.
6.3 The Board of Directors may defer action on the program for six
months to one year pending substantial compliance with the
recommendations of the accrediting team.
(7) PACUCOA transmits the action of the Board of Directors as well as
the chairmans report to the school.
(8) FAAP is officially informed of the Board of Directors decision for
certification purposes.

E. LEVEL III REACCREDITATION VISIT

Policy Statements
(1) A Level II Reaccredited Status should have been attained by the
program with a general average rating of at least 4.0 and a mean
numerical rating of at least 4.0 in each area of survey.

(2) Within two years after the grant of Level II Reaccredited Status, a
qualified program can apply for a Level III visit by complying with the
following requirements:

The school submits its compliance report, showing its full compliance
with the recommendations during the previous accreditation visit.
The school submits the pre-requisite documents, 60 days before the
schedule of the visit. (See Chapter III, page 84)to prove its compliance
with the first two mandatory criteria and two optional criteria as follows:
2.1 For undergraduate programs.

Mandator
y

Criteria

Description

Criterion
#1

a reasonably high
standard of
instruction;

Criterion
#2

a highly visible
community
outreach program;
and evidences on
two of the five
optional criteria
chosen from the
following:

Optional

Criterion
#3

a highly visible
research tradition;

Criterion
#4

a strong faculty
and staff
development
tradition;

Criterion
#5

a creditable
performance of
graduates in the
licensure
examinations
during the last four
years;

Criterion
#6

a working network
with prestigious
local and
international
institutions/
organizations; and

Criterion
#7

extensive and
functional library
and other learning
resource facilities.

2.2 For graduate programs:

Mandator
y

Criteria

Description

Criterion
#1

a reasonably high
standard of
instruction;

Criterion
#3

a highly visible
research tradition;
and evidences
on two of the five
optional criteria
chosen from the
following:

Optional

Criterion
#2

a highly visible
community
outreach program;

Criterion
#4

a strong faculty
and staff
development
tradition;

Criterion
#5

a creditable
performance of
graduates in the
licensure

examinations
during the last
four years;

Criterion
#6

a working network
with prestigious
local and
international
institutions/
organizations; and

Criterion
#7

extensive and
functional library
and other learning
resource facilities.

2.3 For Elementary and High School programs:

Mandator
y

Criteria

Description

Criterion
#1

a reasonably high
standard of
instruction;

Criterion
#4

a strong faculty
and staff
development
tradition;
and evidences
on two of the
five optional
criteria chosen
from the
following:

Optional

Criterion
#2

a highly visible
community
outreach program;

Criterion
#3

a highly visible
research tradition;

Criterion
#5

a creditable
performance of
graduates in the
licensure
examinations
during the last
four years;

Criterion
#6

a working network
with prestigious
local and
international
institutions/
organizations; and

Criterion
#7

extensive and
functional library
and other learning
resource facilities.

Procedures
(1) Upon approval of the dates of the survey visit, the chairman of the
survey executive committee shall inform the academic community of
the visit to generate maximum awareness, preparation and
participation from them.
(2) The Survey Executive Committee shall see to the readiness and
availability of the following:
2.1 the accreditors work headquarters, complete with adequate
amenities;
2.2 the necessary exhibits and other evidences in support of the selfsurvey report and the additional criteria for level III reaccreditation;
2.3 the availability of the officers, faculty, staff, students and alumni of
the school who may be interviewed by the accreditors;
2.4 call slips for interview schedules;
2.5 syllabi, class registers, and seat plans for class visitation.
(3) The accrediting team chairman prepares the schedule of activities
during the survey visit in consultation with the survey executive

committee chairman upon arrival. The schedule usually includes an

orientation meeting with the members of the survey executive
committee, separate dialogues with students, alumni and faculty
representatives together with non-teaching staff, examination of
exhibits, ocular visits of facilities, class observation, and interviews,
post accreditation conference and exit meeting with the administrators.
(4) The accrediting team verifies the self-survey report by reviewing
the exhibits, assessing the evidences, observing classes, conducting
formal and informal interviews/dialogues with the constituents of the
school and community members and ocular visits.
(5) The accrediting team prepares a report and submits the same to
the PACUCOA secretariat not later than two weeks after the visit.
(6) The PACUCOA Board of Directors deliberates on the report and
acts on it. The action of the Board of Directors may either be one of
the following options:
6.1 The program may be granted Level III Reaccredited Status for five
years.
6.2 The Board of Directors may defer action on the program for six
months to one year pending full compliance with the recommendations
of the accrediting team.
6.3 The program may be granted level II reaccredited status.
(7) PACUCOA transmits the action of the Board of Directors as well as
the chairmans report to the school.
(8) FAAP is officially informed of the Board of Directors decision for
certification purposes.

F. LEVEL IV ACCREDITATION VISIT

Policy Statements
(1) After 5 years of Level III reaccredited status, a program may apply
for Level IV visit six (6) months before the 5-year status expires.
(2) A self-survey report on the nine (9) areas of survey will have to be
accomplished again and submitted to the PACUCOA secretariat
together with narrative responses with appropriate documentations on
the following six (6) criteria for Level IV, 60 days before the scheduled
visit:

Criterion
1.

Excellent Outcomes in Teaching

and Learning

Criterion
2.

Research Productivity as Tool for

Institutional Effectiveness

Criterion
3.

Community Service

Criterion
4.

Linkages and Consortia

Criterion
5.

Career Planning and

Development for Students

Criterion
6.

Planning Process

(3) If the mean ratings in all the self-survey areas and in all the six (6)
criteria are at least 4.00, the program is granted Level IV accredited
status; if the rating is lower than 4.00, the program is retained in Level
III reaccredited status for 5 years.

G. GUIDELINES FOR INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION

Eligibility Criteria for Institutional Accreditation

(1) The Arts and Sciences, Business and Education programs should
have been granted Level III reaccredited status. For stand alone or
monolithic institutions which do not offer the traditional courses such
as Arts and Sciences, Business and Education, its core program/s
must be on Level III status. At least one of the programs should have

been granted level IV accredited status.

(2) 75% of the HEIs program offerings should be accredited. The
accredited programs may have Level I or Level II status. Programs
where there are no existing evaluation instruments will not be included
in the computation.
(3) Majority of the total student population should be enrolled in the
accredited programs. New program offerings which do not have
graduates yet, will not be included in the computation.
(4) The performance of graduates in licensure examinations in the
accredited programs should be at par with or above the national
passing average for at least five consecutive board examinations.
(5) The HEI should have well developed quality assurance
mechanisms.

Procedures:
(1) The accrediting agency informs the school that it is eligible to apply
for Institutional Accreditation.
(2) The agency sends the criteria to the HEI and determines the time
frame within which the institution should submit the documents.
(3) No visitation is required for those invited to apply for Institutional
Accreditation. Submitted documents will suffice.
(4) The accrediting agency reviews the documents submitted and
verifies compliance with the criteria set by FAAP for institutional
accreditation.
(5) If the eligibility criteria have been met, the accrediting agency
recommends to the FAAP that the accredited program be granted
Institutional Accreditation. In the event that the school is accredited by
two accrediting agencies, the recommendation to grant institutional
accreditation shall be done by the accrediting agency where majority
of the programs were accredited. In cases where the number of
accredited programs are shared equally by two accrediting agencies,
then the recommendation to grant institutional accreditation shall be
done by the two accrediting agencies concerned.
(6) The FAAP Board during a regular meeting shall review the report
submitted by the agency and certify that the institution has been
granted institutional accreditation. The new status shall be co-terminus
with the number of years granted to a program during the last

accreditation visit. Subsequent re-survey visits will be institutional,

except for programs such as Engineering, Medicine and Nursing
because of covenant agreements with other countries or
organizations.
(7) FAAP shall issue the corresponding certificate attesting that the
HEI is now institutionally accredited.

Programs that PACUCOA Accredits

A. Collegiate Degree programs
Accountancy
Architecture
BS Biology / Chemistry / Guidance and Counseling / Mathematics
BS Psychology
Food Technology
Business Administration

Hotel and Restaurant Management

Computer Science

Information Technology/System

Criminology

Liberal Arts (AB) with major in relevant

disciplines

Customs Administration
Dentistry
Distance Education/Open Learning
BS Elementary Education
BS Secondary Education
Aeronautical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electronics Engineering
Computer Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Environmental and Sanitary Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Material Science and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering

Marine Engineering
Marine Transportation
Medical Technology
Nursing
Nutrition and Dietetics
Occupational Therapy
Office Administration
Optometry
Pharmacy
Physical Therapy
Public Administration
Radiologic Technology
Secretarial Administration
Tourism/Hospitality Management

Veterinary Medicine

B. Graduate Degree programs

Master of Arts with majors in relevant disciplines
Master of Science with majors in relevant disciplines
Master of Business Administration/Master of Public Administration (with thesis)
Doctor of Education
Doctor of Philosophy with majors in relevant disciplines
Distance Education/Open Learning (masters and doctoral)

C. Basic Education Programs

Elementary
High School
D. Vocational/Technical Programs
The areas/section of survey are:
For Basic Education Programs
Area I. Philosophy and Objectives
Area II. Faculty
Area III. Instruction
Area IV. Library
Area V. Laboratories
Area VI. Physical Plant and Facilities
Area VII. Student Services
Area VIII. Social Orientation and Community Involvement
Area IX. Organization and Administration
For Collegiate Programs
Area I. Philosophy and Objectives
Area II. Faculty
Area III. Instruction
Area IV. Laboratories
Area V. Research
Area VI. Library
Area VII. Student Services
Area VIII. Social Orientation and Community Involvement
Area IX. Physical Plant and Facilities
Area X. Organization and Administration
For Graduate Degree Programs
Area I. Goals and Objectives
Area II. Faculty
Area III. Curriculum and Instruction
Area IV. Research
Area V. Students
Area VI. Library
Area VII. Administration
Area VIII. Other Resources
For Vocational/Technical Programs
Area I. Philosophy and Objectives
Area II. Trainers/Instructors
Area III. Training Standards
Area IV. Physical Resources

Area V.

Trainee Services

Area VI. Organization and Administration

Accreditation Levels and Benefits

Candidate Status
Benefits
Programs which have at least undegone a preliminary survey visit and are certified by FAAP as
being capable of acquiring accredited status within one or two years.
No special benefits
Level I/Level II: Accredited Status
Benefits
Programs which have at least been granted an initial accredited status by any of the member
agencies of the FAAP, and whose status is certified by the latter.
a. full administrative deregulation,
b. financial deregulation in terms of setting of tuition and other fees and charges
c. authority to revise the curriculum without CHED approval
d. priority in the awards of grants/subsidies or funding assistance from CHED/DEP ED.
LEVEL III: Reaccredited Status
Benefits
Programs which have been reaccredited and which have met the additional criteria or
guidelines set by FAAP.
a. all the benefits for level I/II
b. authority to offer new courses allied to existing level III courses without need for prior
approval.
c. privilege to offer new graduate programs
d. privilege to offer open learning/distance education
e. privilege to offer extension classes and transnational education
LEVEL IV: Accredited Status
Benefits
Programs which are highly respected as very high academic programs in the Philippines and
with prestige and authority comparable to similar programs in excellent foreign universities.
a. all the benefits for level I,II and III
b. Grant of full autonomy for the program for the duration of its Level IV accredited status.
c. Authority to offer new graduate programs allied to existing Level IV courses, open
learning/distance education and extension classes without need for prior approval by CHED
provided that the concerned CHEDRO is duly informed.