1. Preparing Your Self Study
Good afternoon and welcome to the podcast of the ACICS Preparing Your Self Study. Often before an accreditation visit, institutions become very nervous about the Self Study process and how exactly to prepare for it. Today, we will discuss what the Self study is, the steps needed to be taken to complete and hopefully demystify the Self Study for you.

2. OBJECTIVE
To Provide A Better Understanding of the Self Study Process and Requirements
Institutional Self-Review
Institutional Effectiveness Plan (IEP)– An on-going process
Self-Study
Review by Peers
On-Site Visit – Validate information in the Self Study
Team Report
Intermediate Review Committee (IRC )and Council Review
So, what is the objective?
The objective is to provide a better understanding of the Self Study Process and Requirements; broken down into two parts. The first part is Institutional Self-Review and the second part is the Review by Peers. The Insitutional Self Review includes the Institutional Effectiveness Plan (or IEP as we know it), which is a continuous review process and the Self Study.
The Review by Peers is the on-site visit by the ACICS team to validate information in the Self Study. They will conclude their visit with a team report in which the school is expected to respond to any areas of noted deficiency or non-compliance. The schools response will go to the Intermediate Review Committee (IRC) and after the Commission to review (and hopefully approve to avoid deferral)

3. ACCREDITATION PROCESS Self-Study Purpose
Identifies Areas for Improvement
Documents Activities related to criteria
Foundation for Visiting Team to Evaluate/Validate the Institution’s Compliance with the Accreditation Criteria
What is the purpose of the Self Study?
Completing the self study allows the institution to review current processes and identify any areas for improvement. It also documents activities related to the accreditation criteria. Lastly, it is the foundation for the visiting review team to evaluate and/or validate the institutions compliance with the accreditation criteria.

4. SELF STUDY Self Evaluation of school operations
Considered the most important part of the process
Requires involvement of administration, staff AND faculty
Also serves as a planning vehicle for improvement of school services
The Self Study itself is a self evaluation of school operations. In the accreditors eyes, it is considered the MOST important part of the process. It requires involvement of administration, staff, AND faculty. The Self Study also serves as a planning vehicle for improvement of school services

5. SELF STUDY
The submitted documents along with the school visit are what the visiting team base their report on for the school.
It is only a snap shot in time, the team does not have the ability to see the day to day hard work that goes on at the campus, therefore, meticulous detail and professional presentation are very important.
Ultimately – say what you actually do! Don’t put what you would like to do or what was done in the past, but isn’t done anymore. It needs to be an accurate portrayal of campus operations.

6. ACICS SUGGESTIONS
Ensure Appropriate Staff appointed to Lead/Direct Self Study
Involve:
Faculty
Administration,
Governing Board
Student and Graduate Representatives
Coordinating Committee: make suggestions and edit final report
Subcommittees: prepare specific sections of the self-study
Adopt reasonable time schedule and enforce it.
Limit narrative to 100 pages in length.
Exhibits ONLY if they are essential to the team's review and preparation prior to the visit and shall be at the end of narrative.
Information that can be reviewed during the visit should be provided in the team meeting room.
ACICS has five suggestions for successful completion of the self study

7. PROJECT TOOLS
Use an Excel Workbook Guide to assist in the completion of the self-study and preparation phase for your accreditation visit.
Sample Project Chart
Additional Items to Consider Chart
Each institution is unique and may find alternative routes to get them to the same end point, use what information you feel will benefit your campus.

8. Faculty & Staff Ideas to involve faculty
General Education Faculty – proof read and critique final
Core Faculty – address specific areas of expertise – for example - curriculum committee members address curriculum questions, etc.
Getting Staff involved in process/ educating the team
Games such as Jeopardy / Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
Lunch & Learn – Town Hall Meeting
ACICS Trivia Challenge

9. SAMPLE PROJECT CHART

10. ADDITIONAL ITEMS

11. SELF STUDY TEMPLATE
Always cross check the Date Last Updated to assure ACICS has not updated their Self Study since the release.
The self study template. Please go to and download the Self Study template. This assures that you are using the latest release of their template. The template outlines at the beginning of each section the range of accreditation criteria addressed in that area. It also includes tips and references to specific criteria.

12. CONCLUSION – Best Practices
Always have a copy of the Self Study and Accreditation Criteria
Set up a meeting schedule
An initial meeting to discuss the project and assign tasks.
Set up follow-up meetings to answer questions and ensure action is being taken to complete the project.
Upon completion, submit to Regulatory Operations for review prior to ACICS Submission

13. QUESTIONS?