Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Opens Recognition
to International Higher Education Accreditation Organizations


August 9, 2024

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) announces the inauguration of the Recognition of International Accreditation Organizations, marking a new era of global engagement and partnerships in higher education quality assurance. In January 2024, the CHEA Board of Directors established a subcommittee to review the broader implications of this initiative. The subcommittee conducted a comprehensive review and evaluated potential benefits and challenges, CHEA’s capacity, application processes, and global impact. Their thorough analysis led to a recommendation to open the recognition process to international organizations under the same rigorous criteria applied to domestic accrediting organizations.

CHEA recognition is a designation that signifies to the higher education community and the public that the accrediting organization:

  • serves institutions and programs with the highest regard for integrity of practice and ethical behavior and demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;
  • promotes academic quality and continuous improvement;
  • serves higher education, students, and the public by communicating its accreditation decisions;
  • makes determinations about academic quality in higher education;
  • implements and enforces its standards and policies; and
  • acknowledges and affirms the institution and the program's mission and purposes.

The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) also provides recognition in the United States. However, USDE does not recognize international accrediting organizations. 

CHEA recognition serves as an assurance to the public that accrediting organizations are competent to engage in quality review of institutions and programs based on the qualifying standards that CHEA has developed, which are presented in the 2021 CHEA Standards and Procedures for Recognition. Furthermore, CHEA recognition signifies that accrediting organizations are ethical, unbiased, and professional in their assessment during the institutional review process. CHEA-recognized accrediting organizations must also provide evidence that they meet CHEA standards through periodic reviews. 

Over the years, CHEA has been approached by many international accrediting organizations seeking partnerships regarding quality assurance and developing protocols that support their institutions. After several years of discussions and approval by the CHEA Board of Directors, CHEA will expand its global presence. CHEA collaborates with international partners to support higher education quality assurance efforts, which strengthens institutions across the globe.

"The CHEA Committee on Recognition confirmed that international accrediting organizations must meet the same rigorous standards as their U.S.-based counterparts, with all documentation submitted in English," said CHEA Board Chair Dottie King, Ph.D., President, Independent Colleges of Indiana. "This will ensure consistency and maintain the high standards CHEA is known for throughout the United States, and now, internationally as well."

The CHEA Standards and Procedures for Recognition remain the same for international organizations and will be observed with the same level of integrity and review as U.S. agencies. This initiative, through CHEA recognition, paves the way for international accrediting bodies to foster greater international collaboration and enhance the global quality of higher education. Through this initiative, CHEA is fostering additional collaboration between U. S.- and international- accrediting organizations. All will be better positioned to share experiences that are common in scope and beneficial for students across the globe. 

“Higher Education is a global community, and the decision by CHEA’s Board to open CHEA’s recognition process to international communities is an opportunity to expand conversations around global quality assurance,” said CHEA President Cynthia Jackson Hammond. "This initiative underscores CHEA’s commitment to advancing quality assurance worldwide, and we look forward to working closely with our international accreditation partners to achieve this goal."

The CHEA International Quality Group (CIQG) is an assembly/body of higher education experts from across the globe committed to promoting quality higher education internationally. CIQG is CHEA's international affiliate. The CIQG Advisory Council also serves as a think tank for CHEA, developing and enhancing understandings regarding international higher education.

CIQG Membership is open to international organizations and any U.S. organization or individual that meets established criteria. Currently, CIQG represents over 90 international and U.S. accrediting organizations, consultants, and institutions. CIQG Membership is different from CHEA Recognition and should not be viewed synonymously. For more clarification, visit the CHEA CIQG website.  

International accrediting organizations wishing to apply to or learn more about the CHEA international process and procedures may visit the CHEA website and click the Recognition tab. 

For more information regarding the International Recognition process, please contact Loretta Waldron, Vice President for Recognition Services. ([email protected]).