12 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ABOUT EXTERNAL QUALITY REVIEW The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is interested in assisting individuals who wish to pursue higher education in the United States. To this end we have prepared a series of questions that students and others may find useful to ask about the external quality review of a course, institution or program in which they might enroll. While CHEA considers external quality review to be an important and constructive process for higher education institutions, external quality review may be only one among many considerations relevant to an individual’s choice of a course of study, program, or institution. CHEA does not endorse any specific course of study, program or institution, but encourages careful scrutiny of materials, commitments and claims of all providers of higher education. If you are considering enrolling in a course of study or program at a higher education institution, you may find it useful to inquire about the external quality review of the course, program, or institution. Is the course, program or institution accredited? What are the standards of quality? Is there an available summary of the last review? If the course, program, or institution is not accredited, is it certified for quality by another organization? What external quality review is performed by this other organization and what are the standards? Is there a summary of the last review? How can the organization that accredits or provides other types of external quality reviews be contacted? You may address these and similar questions to: The institution or provider under consideration for enrollment Certifying organization, if necessary If you are considering enrolling in an initial course of study or program at one institution and may want to enroll in a further course of study or program at another higher education institution in the future, you may find it useful to inquire about transferability of credits and courses. Will other institutions accept the credits and courses earned? Will other institutions count the credits and courses toward a degree? Will graduate schools accept the credits and courses for admission? Who decides toward what the credits or courses count? How can they be contacted? You may address these and similar questions to: The institution or provider under consideration for enrollment The institution or provider under consideration for transfer If you intend to use a course of study or program for employment purposes or would like your employer to provide tuition assistance, you may find it useful to inquire about acceptance of credits and courses by employers Will employers accept the credits and courses earned? Will employers acknowledge the credits and courses for upgrading, retraining and additional compensation? Who should be contacted to learn what courses and credits an employer may accept? You may address these and similar questions to: The employer or likely future employer For additional information concerning external quality review, you can contact or consult: Print Sources Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education Edited by Louanne W. Rozek Published by the American Council on Education In consultation with the Council on Higher Education Accreditation One Dupont Circle, NW Washington, DC 20036 Phone: (202) 939-9300 Fax: (202) 833-4760 E-mail: pubs@ace.nche.edu Internet: http://www.acenet.edu Higher Education Directory Published by Higher Education Publications, Inc. Edited by Mary Pat Rodenhouse 6400 Arlington Boulevard, Suite 648 Falls Church, VA 22042 Phone: (703) 532-2300 Fax: (703) 532-2305 E-mail: info@hepinc.com Internet: http://www.hepinc.com The National Guide to Educational Credit For Training Programs American Council on Education Edited by Jo Ann Robinson & Jacqueline E. Taylor ACE/CREDIT One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 250 Washington, DC 20036 Phone: (202) 939-9300 Fax: (202) 775-8578 E-mail: credit@ace.nche.edu Internet: http://www.acenet.edu   Electronic Sources Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 510 Washington, DC 20036 Phone: (202) 955-6126 Fax: (202) 955-6129 e-mail: chea@chea.org Internet: http://www.chea.org Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA) 1020 West Byron Street, Suite 8G Chicago, IL 60613-2987 Phone: (773) 525-2160 Fax: (773) 525-2162 E-mail: aspacd@aol.com Internet: http://www.aspa-usa.org United States Department of Education (USDE) National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity Office of Postsecondary Education United States Department of Education 1990 K Street, NW Room 7107 Washington, DC 20006 Phone: (202) 219-7009 Fax: (202) 219-7008 Internet: http://www.ed.gov/offices/ope/student/file01.html Accreditation and State Liaison Office of Postsecondary Education United States Department of Education 1990 K Street, NW Room 7105 Washington, DC 20006 Phone: (202) 219-7011 Fax: (202) 219-7005 Internet: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/accreditation/