What are the steps to obtain CHEA accreditation?

[cecilgambe7]

Step 1: have a university

Assuming you start a business in the USA with a university name, and you sell courses...

Then, what are the requirements and steps to obtain CHEA accreditation?

[Sparklette]

It would depend on which recognized accrediting agency you choose, but most seem to have an application process that starts with or includes an institutional self-assessment as to how the school and programs meet the requirements of the accreditation agency. The requirements and timelines are going to vary.

[cecilgambe7]

It would depend on which recognized accrediting agency you choose, but most seem to have an application process that starts with  or includes an institutional self-assessment as to how the school and programs meet the requirements of the accreditation agency. The requirements and timelines are going to vary.

I'm not familiar to this process, CHEA has different agencies inside??

[Sparklette]

It would depend on which recognized accrediting agency you choose, but most seem to have an application process that starts with  or includes an institutional self-assessment as to how the school and programs meet the requirements of the accreditation agency. The requirements and timelines are going to vary.

I'm not familiar to this process, CHEA has different agencies inside??

CHEA doesn't have different agencies "inside" 
It evaluates outside accreditation agencies to certify they are legitimate. 

https://www.chea.org/chea-usde-recognize...anizations

[Johann]

If you go to the CHEA website, you will find lists of all the accreditors they recognize, by type: Regional & National. Both are lengthy processes - figure on a couple of years for National, more for Regional. A lot of new schools don't make the cut. Or don't make it first time out. Either type is expensive - particularly Regional. And part of the process is assessment of the school's financial resources - they have to meet the accreditor's standards. They'll want to know everything - about every degree program - to ensure content and teaching are up to the accreditor's standards.

If you're considering operating a 100% distance school - DEAC (Distance Education Accreditation Commission) would be a good and popular choice. It's a National Accreditor. Regional Accreditation might be considered after the school is very well established.

Legit. accreditation of either type is NOT an easy, cheap or quick process. But in most states, at least for secular study, it's mandatory, in order to award degrees. There is a religious exemption available in 22 states - but only, of course for schools teaching solely religious degree programs. Not all religious schools who have the option choose the exemption route. Many choose National accreditation (faith-based or regular - e.g Nations University is DEAC-accredited) and some opt for Regional accreditation.

[SteveFoerster]

Step 1: have a university

Assuming you start a business in the USA with a university name, and you sell courses...

Then, what are the requirements and steps to obtain CHEA accreditation?

This is skipping some steps. One would need a license from the state's department of education or equivalent and operate for at least two years before considering accreditation. And for that, one first needs experience, a good team, and a lot of money.

[bjcheung77]

Even on a shoe-string budget by outsourcing everything, this will be a costly investment, literally lots of money. There are so many things involved in order to get a license to operate and fees to obtain accreditation candidacy after being in business for at least two to three years. BTW CHEA is Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), they recognize the accreditation agencies, they are not an accreditation agency.

[Johann]

You might want to read the story of this man - Shai Reshef. He established a University from scratch in the US. Got it Nationally Accredited before it graduated any students. Now well into the process for Regional Accreditation. A real mover and shaker. He sold his previous business to Kaplan (Education Co.) for (quite) a few millions. thereby ensuring that his new baby, U. of the People was sufficiently capitalized.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shai_Reshef

If you have THAT kind of mojo - you're good to go. Pick a State, Get your license. Bring your wallet. You'll need a LOT more than a website or storefront and a bunch of course materials. You can't call just ANY school a University.

[cecilgambe7]

You might want to read the story of this man - Shai Reshef. He established a University from scratch in the US. Got it Nationally Accredited before it graduated any students. Now well into the process for Regional Accreditation. A real mover and shaker. He sold his previous business to Kaplan (Education Co.) for (quite) a few millions. thereby ensuring that his new baby, U. of the People was sufficiently capitalized.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shai_Reshef

If you have THAT kind of mojo - you're good to go. Pick a State, Get your license. Bring your wallet. You'll need a LOT more than a website or storefront and a bunch of course materials. You can't call just ANY school a University.

I totall don't have the money to start a business like this, but i like to know because if it is feasible i could get the inversors for the business...

WGU actually only has the licence and it's website and it is a "registered" university

[Johann]

Cecil - "WGU actually only has the licence and its website and it is a "registered" university."

Me - WGU (Western Governors' University) has a LOT more than that. It is Regionally Accredited as shown below. This is the highest form of accreditation. Ergo, it has been found by its accreditor to have the financial resources, equipment, premises, teachers/professors and curriculum etc. it needs to be a fine, established distance university, which awards meaningful degrees. It is no amateur, startup or shoestring operation as you imply. It has had a good reputation for a lot of years. As we've established - all that costs money - real money - lots of it. Start talking to your investors...


From the site:

"WGU is regionally accredited, the highest form of accreditation. Western Governors University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), a regional accreditation body of colleges and universities in a seven-state region that includes WGU's headquarters of Utah."

---

More facts about WGU. Their yearly budget is 800 MILLION DOLLARS. They have around 120,000 students. There are over 3,900 faculty and over 5,000 administrative employees. You may find it interesting to read how WGU started - as the brainchild of Governors of 19 Western States. So they have WAY more than "only a licence and a website" as you put it.

All this info and much more is here. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Go...University