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Accreditation Assures Quality

In the United States, accreditation is a non-governmental, peer-review process that assures the quality of the postsecondary education students receive. Educational institutions or programs volunteer to undergo this review periodically to determine if certain criteria are being met.

(NOTE: Outside the United States, accreditation is not necessarily voluntary nor non-governmental. Please visit the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (www.unesco.org) for more information on the world's postsecondary education systems and their quality assurance mechanisms.)

It is important to understand, however, that accreditation is not a ranking system. It is simply assurance that a program or institution meets established quality standards.

The Society of American Foresters is responsible for the accreditation of postsecondary degree-granting programs. SAF accredits specific curriculum, not degrees, departments, colleges, or institutions.

SAF is recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation. The recognition runs through 2012.

COUNCIL ON HIGHER EDUCATION ACCREDITATION

At its meeting on January 24, 2011 the CHEA Board of Directors reviewed the recommendation of the CHEA Committee on Recognition regarding the eligibility application submitted by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). The board of directors determined that SAF is eligible to undertake a recognition review. SAF will complete a self-evaluation providing evidence that it meets the CHEA recognition standards. CHEA requires an observation visit to a decision-making meeting of the accrediting organization to observe decision-making activities as these relate to CHEA eligibility and recognition standards. The CHEA Committee on Recognition will review the self-evaluation, the report of the observation visit and any third-party requests for comment and make a recommendation to the CHEA Board of Directors. The CHEA Board of Directors will make the final determination of recognition status.

List of Accredited Programs

Information About Accredited Programs:
SAF Committees on Accreditation

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