A. Application for Initial Accreditation
1. Letter of Intent
A DCP seeking initial accreditation must send a letter of intent from the institution’s governing body to the CCE Administrative Office stating its intention to pursue accreditationed status, providing written evidence that it meets the eligibility requirements for accreditation and submitting initial accreditation fees in accordance with CCE Policy 14.
2. Requirements for Eligibility
The eligibility requirements provide an initial foundation for the development of a DCP within the context of the CCE requirements for accreditation. In addressing the eligibility requirements, applicants are advised to be familiar with the CCE Standards, Section 2.A through Section 2. KJ.
To be eligible for initial accreditation, the application must include evidence to support the following:
a. Accreditation of the institution by an accrediting agency in the U.S. recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (or equivalent outside the U.S. as determined by the Council). Provide the most recent letter from the institutional accrediting agency confirming the institution’s accreditation status and term. , to include, the most recent accreditation action letter. Identify the accrediting agency that accredits the institution and the institution’s current accreditation status with this body.
a.b. Provide evidence that the institution has, or has applied for, approval to develop/offer a doctor of chiropractic program/degree from its institutional accrediting agency. If approval is not necessary from the institutional accrediting agency, documentation from that accrediting agency MUST include written communication to program representatives or CCE that confirms approval to offer the program/degree is not required. NOTE: Under no circumstances will Tthe Council will not, with no exceptions, grant initial accreditation to a program that is part of an institution/organization which is the subject to of an action by a recognized institutional accrediting agency, that includes: 1) a final decision to place the institution/organization on probation; or, 2) a final decision to deny, withdraw, revoke, or terminate accreditation.
bc. A governing body that includes representation adequately reflecting the public interest.
cd. Description of the administrative structure of the program, including the individual responsible for the DCP and their credentials.
de. A mission (or equivalent) statement, approved by the appropriate institutional body, that provides for an educational program leading to the doctor of chiropractic degree and describes the overall purpose(s) of the program.
ef. A process tofor assessing programmatic effectiveness to include, a description of how the program will analyze and use theassessment results.
fg. Description of the p Program length and a curriculum with a minimum of 4,200 instructional hours (or equivalent, following approval under the terms and conditions of CCE Policy 1, Program Changes), and a curriculum that includes, but is not limited to, the following subject matter:
Foundations – principles, practices, philosophy, and history of chiropractic.
Basic Sciences - anatomy; physiology; biochemistry; microbiology and pathology.
Clinical Sciences - physical, clinical, and laboratory diagnosis; diagnostic imaging; spinal analysis; orthopedics; biomechanics; neurology; spinal adjustment/manipulation; extremities manipulation; rehabilitation and therapeutic modalities/procedures (active and passive care); toxicology/pharmacology; patient management; nutrition; organ systems; special populations; first aid and emergency procedures; wellness and public health; and clinical decision-making.
Professional Practice - ethics and integrity; jurisprudence; business and practice management, and professional communications.
gh. An assessment plan that includes defined competencies and programmatic learning outcomes; identification of the methods to measure achievement of meta-competencies and outcomes; and, a description of how the program will use the assessment results.
fg Operational description of clinic practicum courses and DCP managed and/or approved clinic site(s).
ij. Number and credentials of current faculty and hiring plans for additional faculty leading up to the graduation date of the first cohort of students. Include number of current faculty and their credentials.
jk. Number of students currently enrolled in the program and total enrollment projections leading up to the graduation date of the first cohort of students.
kl. Provide the An operational financial plan and documentation (income, revenue sources, and expenses) for the DCP from the beginning of the process through the anticipated graduation date of the first cohort of students.
3. CCE Response
Upon application by the DCP for accreditation:
a. The CCE Administrative Office staff, reviews the evidence of eligibility documents submitted by the DCP. If further documentation is necessary to complete the application, CCE staff notifies the program prior to forwarding to the Council. Upon receipt of the completed application, CCE staff forwards to the Council for review at the next regularly scheduled meeting to determine if the eligibility requirements are met.
b. The Council may approve, defer or deny the application. If the application is deferred, the Council will request additional documentation be provided in a follow-up report. If the application is approved, the Council establishes timelines regarding the self-study, comprehensive site visit and Status Review Meeting in coordination with the CCE Administrative Office and the DCP, according to CCE policies and procedure.
NOTE: Approval of the initial accreditation application does not constitute accredited status of the program, the Council will determine the accreditation status of the program at the Status Review Meeting following the self-study and comprehensive site visit processes.