Using CIRP Surveys in Accreditation

Accreditation is one of the main drivers of survey use on college campuses. Because CIRP surveys are comprehensive, they cover a wide variety of outcomes related to student growth and development. Results from CIRP surveys can be used in many parts of the accreditation process–self-studies, visits by evaluators, and in response to a decision by a regional accreditor. Our CIRP Accreditation Guides are designed to help make using the surveys in accreditation easier.

We know each institution approaches accreditation differently—taking into account its mission, goals, programs and policies. There is no shortcut or cookie-cutter approach to accreditation. One important part of the process, however, is to understand how the practices and evidence already available on campus align with accreditation standards. CIRP Accreditation Guides include templates aligning CIRP survey items by regional accreditation standards and sample timelines to help institutions decide when and how often to gather evidence for use in accreditation. The 2010 Accreditation Guides correspond to the 2010 CIRP Surveys. The Accreditation Guides will be updated annually to reflect the most recent survey administration and changes to regional accreditation standards.

Accreditation Guides Include:

• Higher Learning Commission-North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS-COC)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Please do visit our accreditation webpage, where we highlight examples of how institutions have used CIRP surveys in their accreditation efforts.