Faculty Publications

Examining How Accreditation Standards May Drive Quality Improvement and Accountability in Nonprofit Studies Educational Programs

Document Type

Article

Keywords

accreditation, standards, nonprofit management, academic programs, curriculum development

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Journal of Nonprofit Education and Leadership

Volume

7

Issue

1

Abstract

This paper examines how nonprofit studies educational programs (NSEPs) accreditation may improve educational quality and accountability based on the history of accreditation in business education. This analysis focuses on accreditation as a total quality management process with reference to how it is implemented in business schools and more recently in the Society of Actuaries. Major benefits from accreditation for NSEPs relate to quality improvements, development and implementation of common core standards, sharing of improvement processes among institutions, enhanced employment opportunities for students, and better public awareness and recognition of NSEPs, leading to increased enrollment and donor support. Successful NSEP accreditation efforts include (1) identifying and obtaining the support of respected NSEP leaders, programs, and institutions; (2) developing standards that ensure program quality and accountability while being flexible enough to include differences in teaching and research orientation that permits innovation at NSEP institutions; and (3) securing the resources to sustain NSEP accreditation.

Department

Department of Health, Recreation, and Community Services

Department

Community Engagement

Original Publication Date

12-28-2016

DOI of published version

10.18666/JNEL-2017-V7-I1-7581

Link to Full Text

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