Tips for preparing for the Self-Study Report (SSR): Be sure to support everything with documents. Documentation is the key to verification. Be able to substantiate the rational for what you are doing. Describe what you do – provide an example and evidence. Quality, not quantity, is key. Be thorough but not exhaustive. Ask questions. COMTA’s staff is eager to provide assistance.

RE: External consultants COMTA neither recommends nor attempts to dissuade schools from using a consultant in the accreditation process. However, COMTA views one of the primary values of accreditation to be the learning that occurs during the course of conducting the self-study process and preparing the Self-Study Report. Because of this, schools must use their discretion when hiring a consultant. COMTA will not accept an SSR written by a consultant, and requires the document to be prepared by a member of the staff of the program seeking accreditation. For the site visit, consultants are highly discouraged. If the school chooses to have a consultant present for the site visit, the COMTA-approved reviewer will neither talk to the consultant, nor answer any questions of the consultant. The consultant will not be allowed to be present for the initial interview or the exit interview.

ACCREDITATION PROCESS

The self-study process, Self-Study Report (SSR) and on-site visit represent the core of COMTA’s accreditation process, but there are a number of other steps that an institution must complete.

Application
The institution must provide basic information to demonstrate that it is eligible to begin the accreditation process.

This includes submitting Appendix D.1-Application for Accreditation-Initial & Re-accreditation - effective 1/1/09. This document, as well as all the other forms and documentation necessary for COMTA accreditation, can be found in the document and forms section.

Accreditation and Peer Reviewer Workshop
Representatives of the institution must prepare for the accreditation process by attending a workshop that covers the Self-Study Report, off-site peer review and on-site visit, and includes the opportunity to ask questions and share information.

See COMTA’s Calendar for information about upcoming Accreditation and Peer Reviewer Workshops.

Self-Study Report (SSR) 
Institutions must complete a Self-Study Report – a comprehensive, in-depth effort by the school, its administration, faculty, students, graduates and employers. This is a three to six month process that enables a program/school to compare its
performance against established standards. To begin, download the COMTA Standards and Self-Study Report and Financial Review Checklist.

Institutions are now required to submit SSRs and exhibits electronically. Those that choose to submit paper copies will pay a $500 surcharge. This new requirement will result in significant savings in time, effort, paper and shipping costs, which have been passed on to institutions and programs. The net savings make COMTA accreditation a more cost effective choice. Step-by-step instructions are available by downloading Submitting Your Self-Study Report (SSR) Electronically.

Off-site peer review  
Institutions are required to provide any additional documentation or information requested by COMTA’s team of peers regarding the SSR, as well as participate in phone interviews. The school must respond to the team’s preliminary report within 30 days. Click here for fee information.

On-site visit
Institutions must participate in an on-site visit by a COMTA-approved reviewer (practitioner, educator or administrator). The visitor may interview administrators, faculty, students, graduates and employers of graduates; observe classes; examine teaching records, files and educational resources; and verify elements of the SSR. To begin this part of the process, download Appendix D1.4–Request for On-Site Visit. Click here for fee information.

Findings report and response
Next, institutions submit a response to COMTA’s final report, if required, and provide explanations and/or additional documentation for Standards of Accreditation that were not met.

Deliberation and decision
Then, the institution receives the Commission’s decision as to whether the school/program is in compliance with the Standards of Accreditation.

If you have any questions about the accreditation process, please call 202-895-1518 and speak to a COMTA accreditation specialist or email info@comta.org.