Info for:

Summary and Effective Date of Process Changes

2025-2026

 

Length of Accreditation:

Effective May 2025

Accreditation Type Prior Policy New Policy
Initial 3 Years 4 Years
Reaccreditation 3 or 7 Years 4 or 8 Years

Progress Report Requirements:

Effective May 2025

Finding Requirement
Met No Progress Report Necessary
Opportunity for Improvement/Partially Met
or
Critical Concern/Not Met

Year 2 (4 year accreditation or reaccreditation)
Year 3 (8 year reaccreditation)

  1. All criteria need to be deemed complete after review of progess report
  2. Program (one year) if still not complete
  3. Accreditation council review if not complete at end of probation: Loss of accreditaton possible. CHEA requirement states program must meet all criteria within 4 years.

Progress Report Submission Dates:

Effective Fall 2027

Submission Season Prior Policy New Policy
Spring February 1 February 1
Fall September 1 August 1

New Findings Language:

Effective for site visits utilizing new 2026 standards

Fiinding Definition
Met

The program provided clear evidence for all standard review elements.

  • All review elements are addressed
  • Strong, well-documented evidence
  • Effective, sustained implementation
  • Ongoing review and refinement
  • Continuous improvement (monitoring and evaluation) is evident
  • Stakeholder feedback is used effectively
Opportunity for Improvement

The program evidence is incomplete. There are identifiable areas where planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and/or documentation must be strengthened to meet the standard review element.

  • Minor gaps in clarity, depth, or consistency
  • Some elements are underdeveloped or inconsistently applied
  • Improvement efforts are present but not fully embedded
Critical Concern

The program has significant deficiencies in evidence provided to meet the standard review elements, with limited or no evidence. Weak, missing or inadequate evidence of:

  • Planning
  • Implementation
  • Monitoring
  • Evaluation and/or
  • Documentation requiring immediate and substantive attention
  • Misalignment with standard intent
  • Consultative recommendations will no longer be used.
  • Programs can self-proclaim areas within their program they believe should be reviewed by the site visit team as a strength.

Site Visit Schedule:

Effective for ALL site visits starting Fall 2026

Day Activity Purpose
12 weeks prior to the site visit

Self-Study and Evidence Due

Site Visit Logistics Form
  • Self Study must now be submitted in the CAMP system 12 weeks prior to the site visit (previously 8 weeks)
  • All evidence files are required to be submitted at the same time as the self study
  • Send completed Site Visit Logistics form to CAHME Staff
  • Site Visit Readiness Checklist no longer applicable
30 days prior to the site visit LMS Access
Learning Management System (LMS) access available 30 days prior to the site visit date.
Tuesday of the Site Visit

Previously Records Review

Now Site Visit Team Travel Day
  • Document review now completed digitally prior to visit by the entire site visit team. Program Director must be available for virtual communications during records review. Timeline of records review to be agreed upon between SVT and program director.
  • Reduces one night of travel and expenses for the Coordinator.
Wednedsay of the Site Visit
Confirmation of Standards Compliance
  • Morning: faculty sessions validate, triangulate data in self-study with questions, examples et.
  • Student and stakeholder meetings
  • Afternoon: Focus on peer-to-peer feedback, brainstorming, allow them to pitch an area of “Strength,” discuss areas they want to work on with a more intentional approach to the value proposition for programs. Better pitch to chairs, deans
Thursday of the Site Visit
Report Out
  • Meet with University Leadership
  • Informal PD and faculty discussion and brainstorming and/or resourcing
  • Formal report out