1. Accreditation
2016
A student’s guide

2. What is Accreditation?
The process by which a college is certified by a regional accrediting agency, such as the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
Being certified, or accredited, is identified by meeting four standards.

3. Accreditation Standards
Standard I: Institutional Mission and Effectiveness
To ensure that the institution has a mission and uses it as the foundation for all planning documents and processes.
Standard II: Student Learning, Programs and Services
To ensure that the courses, programs, and support services meet the quality, breadth, and rigor identified within the standard.
Standard III: Resources
To ensure that all resources (human, facilities, technology, and financial) are integrated into the planning process.
Standard IV: Leadership and Governance
To ensure that campus leadership and governance is effective and supportive of the institution and its mission.

4. How does the process work?
Every seven years, LAMC conducts a comprehensive self review, writes a report (Self Evaluation Report), and submits it to the ACCJC.
The report addresses what LAMC has done or is doing to meet the standards
It also identifies the college’s strengths and areas in need of improvement
The college outlines its plans for improvement.

5. How does the process work?
ACCJC sends a Visiting Team to the campus to:
Verify that what is written in the Self-Evaluation Report is accurate
Review the supporting evidence
Complete an exit report, with their findings and recommendations, and submit it to the ACCJC for final determination.

6. Why do we go through this process?
To evaluate our college To make improvements on a continuous basis To reaffirm our accreditation status

7. What should I expect when the Visiting Team is on campus?
The team will be on campus March 7-10.
The team will likely arrive early and leave late during the duration of their visit.
They will have a schedule to meet with various campus leaders, attend regular meetings, and request individual conversations (including ASO leadership).
The team will walk around campus, may peek in or visit classrooms, and/or may interview individuals.
A closing presentation will be on Thursday, March 10 in CC Main (time TBD).

8. What is MY responsibility (as a student)?
Be familiar with the Self-Evaluation Report
On LAMC’s website at
Be familiar with your campus mission statement and Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
These are posted in most classrooms, in the Learning Center, College website and College Catalog.

9. What is MY responsibility (as a student)?
Be familiar with your course Student Learning Outcomes
These are available on the syllabus for each course.
Know the visiting team will be on campus March 7-10.
May attend any open forums while the visiting team is here
May attend the closing presentation (March 10, CC Main, Time TBD)

10. When will LAMC know how we did?
The closing presentation will generally include:
A brief statement by the team chair
A general description of areas the college has excelled in
A general description of areas the college may continue to work to improve
Wait PATIENTLY until July/August
The Commission will meet in June, make a decision and notify us within days.

11. Questions? If you have any further questions you can:
Visit the LAMC Accreditation Web site at
Read the LAMC 2016 Self-Evaluation Report
Ask your instructor
Contact any of the Accreditation Steering Committee members
We encourage you to visit the Accreditation website to learn more. Thank you for your time.