Purpose of Accreditation
Statement: The purpose of accreditation in higher education is a collegial process based on self and peer assessment. Accreditation ensures that institutions demonstrate continuity on improvement in academic quality, sustainability, and public accountability.
Accreditation Manuals
This page provides access to all ACCJC published manuals and resources. This information can also be retrieved from the ACCJC Website at: http://www.accjc.org/all-commission-publications-policies. All ACCJC Manuals and descriptions were taken from the ACCJC Website.
- 2015 Accreditation Reference Handbook: Contains the Eligibility Requirements for initial accreditation and reaffirmation of accreditation, the ACCJC Accreditation Standards, and all Commission policies.
- 2015 Checklist for Evaluating Compliance with Federal Regulations and Commission Policies: The checklist alerts team members of recent USDE regulatory changes or interpretations. It also includes the Commission policies that must be specifically addressed.
- 2015 Eligibility, Candidacy, and Initial Accreditation Manual: Includes the steps for establishing eligibility, candidacy, and initial accreditation by ACCJC as well as the Eligibility Requirements and Accreditation Standards.
- 2016 Guide to Accreditation for Governing Boards: Explains the Accreditation Standards that describe the duties and responsibilities of governing board members for meeting Accreditation Standards and for leading a results-oriented college. The Guide includes electronic links to resource documents available for download. It is recommended for all CEOs and governing board members.
- 2017 Guide to Evaluating and Improving Institutions: This Guide to Evaluating and Improving Institutions is designed to be used by institutions preparing their Self Evaluation Report, as well as by teams conducting an evaluation team visit. The Guide is meant to provoke thoughtful consideration about whether the institution meets the Accreditation Standards at a deeper level than mere compliance. It is intended also to provide some guidance for a holistic view of an institution and its quality. In that context, the Guide complements the Manual for Institutional Self Evaluation. The Guide is predicated on the belief that both institutional members and team evaluators use the Standards to evaluate the institution, and that they should have access to the same tools.
- 2015 Manual for Institutional Self Evaluation: Contains suggestions for how an institution should organize for self evaluation as well as forms that must be submitted as part of the Institution Self Evaluation Report. It is intended for use by institutions as they prepare for self evaluation and the Institutional Self Evaluation Report.
- 2015 Substantive Change Manual: Includes information on changes considered substantive, the process used for obtaining ACCJC approval of substantive changes, the required format and content of a substantive change proposal, and the Substantive Change Policy.
- Team Evaluator Manual: Is for use by individuals serving on teams. It outlines the responsibilities and activities of team service and contains forms used in reporting.
Accreditation Resources
Accreditation Contact Information
- For more information regarding ASCC’s accreditation please email:
- Dr. Rosevonne Pato, ASCC President: r.pato@amsamoa.edu
- Mr. Sonny J. Leomiti, Accreditation Liaison Officer: s.leomiti@amsamoa.edu
- Mrs. Letupu Moananu, Assistant Accreditation Liaison Officer: l.moananu@amsamoa.edu