How long does accreditation take?

With TSA to guide you, the process can take as little as 12-18 months. This will depend on the state of maturity of the institution and the level of value you want to receive from the accreditation process in terms of quality improvement. TSA will be with you throughout the process, from start to finish: usually initial inquiry, application, accreditation workshop, completion and submission of the Self Evaluation Report, site visit, response to the team report and should you request this, annual reporting.

What will accreditation cost my institution?

When calculating the cost of accreditation, it is always good to remember that accreditation can provide you with great value indicators that make accreditation a win-win proposition. The accrediting body will normally charge fees at different stages of the journey - for application, workshop, readiness review, site visit, and so on. However, the running costs of keeping accreditation, once granted, must be considered. Each body will have its own way of calculating this, e.g., % calculation of annual fees on basis of the number of student hours of the enrolled students in your programs; others will use base fees plus program fees TSA will calculate the total costs involved for you to make an informed decision on which accreditation is right for you.

What is the difference between institutional and programmatic accreditation?

Institutional accreditation evaluates an entire college or university to ensure it meets broad standards of quality, governance, and mission alignment. It looks at the overall institution—its administration, financial health, student support, and educational offerings.

Programmatic (or specialized) accreditation focuses on specific academic programs within an institution—such as engineering, business, nursing, or education—to assess whether they meet the standards of the profession or industry. For example, ABET accredits engineering programs, while AACSB accredits business schools.

What kind of support or guidance do you provide during the process?

Talk to us - TSA has a turnkey solution for you. We can guide you throughout your accreditation journey or focus on specific gaps:

• Accreditation handbooks or manuals that outline required standards, timelines, and documentation.

• Workshops, webinars, and training sessions for faculty and administrators involved in the self-study or review process.

• Consultation or mentoring (formally or informally) from staff or peer institutions that have recently gone through the process.

• Templates and sample documentation for self-studies, assessment plans, and program learning outcomes.

• Communication with an assigned staff liaison who can answer questions, clarify expectations, and guide the institution through each step.