Comprehensive Review Process Resources

For current schedule of comprehensive reviews, please see Accreditation Resources on the Office for Accreditation page.

Required reporting for accreditation

Instructions for the Biennial Narrative Report, Annual Progress Report, and Annual Statistical Reports for accredited programs and programs in candidacy and pre-candidacy.

Accreditation standards, policies, and procedures

1992 and 2008 Standards for Accreditation and Accreditation Process, Policies, and Procedures. Includes Excel spreadsheets of the Standards with numbered paragraphs and space for notes.

Knowledge and competencies statements

Statements of knowledge and competencies developed by relevant professional organizations.

Accreditation cycle synopsis (pdf)

Timeline of the 24-month comprehensive review cycle process.

Resources for programs seeking initial accreditation

Precandidacy advice and application information, application supporting documents, timeline example, and required reporting instructions.

Sample Plan for the Program Presentation (Word document)

The Plan for the Program Presentation is due 12 months before the site visit.

Sample Program Presentations

Links to publicly available electronic Program Presentations (self-studies) prepared by accredited programs for comprehensive review. A selection of print Program Presentations is available for perusal at ALISE and ALA conferences. At ALA conferences, the display Program Presentations can be found at the Office for Accreditation in the ALA office at the convention center.

Selected outcomes assessment resources

Links to a variety of approaches to outcomes-based assessment. Throughout the Standards, the requirements for evaluation include assessments, not only of educational processes and resources, but also of the successful use of those processes and resources to achieve established objectives expressed as student learning outcomes.

Accreditation process overview (pdf)- The information in this document was prepared through the collaborative effort of 15 accrediting agencies to give you an overview of the steps involved in accrediting academic programs at colleges, schools and universities. It will provide you with information and activities to help you learn what you need to know to participate on a site team or prepare for an accreditation visit at your institution.

Accreditation decision appeal process (pdf)

Information on grounds for appeal and the appeal process.

See Resources for LIS Program Administrators for additional information.