Accreditation Services
This overview summarizes the ATA accreditation pathway. Operational forms, deadlines, and submission instructions should be checked against the current ATA Manual for Accreditation before use.
Evaluation for accreditation is available only to members of the Asia Theological Association. Institutions seeking accreditation begin by applying for Associate Membership.
After acceptance as an Associate Member, or when applying for renewal of accreditation or accreditation of a new program, the institution makes a formal application for accreditation evaluation by completing the Institutional Fact Sheet for the institution and program(s).
The Accreditation Secretary considers the application for accreditation or accreditation renewal evaluation. If the application is approved, the institution receives Candidacy Status for new or renewed accreditation, and a provisional date for an evaluation visit is agreed.
Begin the Stakeholder and Institutional Impact Study at least nine months before the evaluation visit; twelve months before the visit is recommended. The Stakeholder Study enables the institution to hear and respond to stakeholder perspectives on how it can become more effective and fruitful.
Begin the Self-Study Report at least six months before the evaluation visit; up to nine months before the visit is recommended. The report is a comprehensive self-evaluation responding to the Self-Study Questionnaire and includes the findings of the Stakeholder Survey.
At least three months before the evaluation visit, send the completed Stakeholder Study, Self-Study Report, updated Fact Sheet with statistics to the month before submission, and other supporting documentation to the Accreditation Secretary. The institution should then begin preparing for the evaluation visit.
The Visiting Evaluation Team (VET) conducts a comprehensive onsite evaluation. At the end of the visit, the VET leader gives a preliminary report with an indication of the team's recommendations about accreditation.
The VET sends its report to the Accreditation Secretary. The Commission on Accreditation and Educational Development (CAED) considers the report and decides whether to confirm the VET's recommendations on accreditation.
Operational forms, deadlines, and submission instructions may change over time. Always confirm the current requirements in the ATA Manual for Accreditation before beginning the accreditation process.
Manual Review Page