1. Overview of the FEPAC Accreditation Process
Module 2
Overview of the FEPAC Accreditation Process

2. Objectives Participants will know:
the steps and deadlines of the application process,
where to locate needed forms,
the process involved with the self-study report, site visit, accreditation decision, and any appeals.
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3. Steps in the Accreditation Process
Application
Self-study
On-site evaluation
Accrediting decision
Monitoring / Annual Reports
Re-evaluation
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4. Timeline and Fees for FEPAC Accreditation
Date
Activity
Fee due, if any
March 1
Submission of Application for Accreditation (Form 5.1.2)
$1,000
March 1 – April 30
Review of applications by Commission and decision on eligibility
May 1
Program notified of acceptance or rejection of application; begins work on Self-Study Report
May 2 – July 30
Commission selects on-site review teams
July 15
Program submits first version of Self-Study Report to FEPAC
$1,500
July 15 – August 1
Two commission members review each Self-Study
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5. Timeline and Fees, continued
Date
Activity
Fee due, if any
August 1
Comments from Commission review returned to Institution
August 15
Institution submits final version of Self-Study Report to FEPAC
August 1 – August 15
Institution works with FEPAC Director and Site Team Leader to schedule the on-site visit
September 15 – October 15
On-site evaluation visits
$2,000*
October 15 – November 14
Each Self-Study Report, including on-site team comments, is reviewed by two Commission members
November 15
Institution receives self-study with evaluation team comments and Commissioner comments
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6. Timeline and Fees, continued
Date
Activity
Fee due, if any
December 15
Institution responds to review comments
January
Commission conference call to discuss reports and vote if no additional information is required
February (AAFS Meeting)
Commission meets to vote on accreditation or give final approval of January votes
Ten days after February FEPAC Meeting
Institution receives notification of voting results
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7. Institutional Application
Due by March 1
Electronic copy of application form to Director.
Application process is online.
Non-refundable $1,000 application fee.
Application includes:
Vitae for all faculty,
Basic program information,
Faculty information (provide vitae for all), Curriculum outline,
Signature from authorized university official.
Used to do a preliminary eligibility review.
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8. Application Review Commission reviews applications.
Basic eligibility requirements must be met
Program notified by May 1 regarding eligibility.
If the program application is accepted, it submits:
Self-study Report draft (due by July 15),
$1,500 Self Study fee.
An administrative team of two or more commissioners and a 2-person on-site evaluation team is assigned.
Site visit is scheduled by program director and team leader (done during the summer months).
Site visit must occur between Sep 15 and Oct 15.
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9. Site Visit Team Composition: 2 members minimum
a forensic science educator,
a forensic science practitioner.
Academic member is normally team leader.
Selected by Commission.
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10. Academic Member Qualification
Academic team members must be:
AAFS Member or Fellow,
selected by the Commission,
full-time faculty member or administrator at a college or university (preference is given to assessors from FEPAC accredited programs).
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11. Forensic Practitioner Qualification
The forensic science practitioner must be:
AAFS Member or Fellow,
selected by the Commission,
employed in the field of forensic science, either as:
a scientist who is a member of ASCLD or
in some equivalent capacity within the profession of forensic science.
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12. Other Requirements for Site Visit Team Members
Must have no conflict of interest with the institution, program, or its faculty.
Must receive training on the FEPAC standards, policies, and process prior to serving on a team.
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13. Self Study Draft (Training Modules 3-5 discuss the standards in detail)
Draft due to FEPAC July 15
electronic copy of self study report
electronic copy of supporting documents on secure site
General comments:
should provide a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the program including analysis and plan,
should examine all aspects of the educational program,
should involve all of the program’s relevant constituencies.
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14. Self Study Final Version (Training Modules 3-5 discuss this in detail)
Draft reviewed by at least two Commissioners,
Commissioner comments returned to institution by Aug 1,
Institution can revise self study; final version due to FEPAC by Aug 15,
Self-Study given to site visit team for review.
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15. Site Visit (more information in Module 6)
Conducted between Sep 15 and Oct 15.
Purpose of visit: verify information presented in the self-study report.
Team members will
interview people associated with the program,
review program records,
review supporting documentation,
tour the facilities.
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16. Site Visit (more information in Module 6)
Team provides an oral summary of its findings to relevant personnel at the institution.
The team does not inform the program regarding its recommendation to the Commission for accreditation.
The decision of accreditation is the responsibility of FEPAC.
Site evaluators are the “eyes and ears” of the Commission.
Avoid using terms on self study report such as: “Program is in compliance”, “Meets standard”, etc.
Instead, describe evidence provided, e.g. “The Program provided minutes of the Advisory Board meeting”
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17. Site Visit Report
The team enters its findings regarding the program’s evidence of compliance with the FEPAC standards in the designated area of the self-study report.
The assessment results are sent to two commissioners for review; their comments are appended to the self-study.
All review comments are sent to institution by Nov 15.
Institutional final response is due to FEPAC by Dec 15.
Report and responses are sent to all Commissioners at least 2 weeks before January meeting.
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18. Commission Review and Decision
Commission evaluates whether or not a program complies with each accreditation standard.
Commission votes on accreditation status at either the January or February meeting.
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19. Accreditation Categories
Full Accreditation - the program meets all FEPAC standards.
Conditional Accreditation – the program must correct some specified weakness(es) within a given time frame.
Probation - an accredited program fails to meet one or more of the standards and must take corrective action.
Denial of Accreditation - the program does not meet the standards.
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20. Final Notification
Programs receive final notification of their accreditation status within 10 days of the conclusion of the February FEPAC meeting.
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21. Appeals
The timeline and procedure is described in Section 4.1 of Policies and Procedures.
Appeals are reviewed by a 3-person board.
The Board consists of educators and practitioners who have experience with FEPAC accreditation and were NOT involved in the original accreditation decision.
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22. Annual Reports from Accredited Programs
Accredited programs must submit annual report by Dec. 1 each year.
$1,500 fee annually, submitted with the report.
Programs must respond to their status regarding new standards: in compliance or will be and by what date
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