Accreditation Of Academic Programs Research Articles

Progress and Directions in Professional Credentialing for Health Education in the United States

This article provides an update on initiatives in individual certification and accreditation of academic programs in public/community health education and school health education in the United States. Although we provide some historical context, the focus primarily addresses credentialing efforts that have evolved since the Galway Consensus Conference was convened in 2008 and publication of the Galway Consensus and related manuscripts in 2009. Significant progress has been achieved in updating the health education competencies for entry and advanced levels of practice, as well as in establishing a Master Certified Health Education Specialist designation. Also discussed are contemporary initiatives to expand and improve the accreditation process of academic programs and the evolving higher education contexts in which such systems operate. We conclude by presenting lessons learned from the U.S. experience with credentialing efforts and by offering recommendations that may be applicable to future quality assurance efforts, both in the United States and abroad.

Point/Counterpoint

Point/Counterpoint

Development of Web-Based System for Knowledge Warehousing and Mining of IT Human Capital and Infrastructure of Nigerian Tertiary Institutions

The survey carried out and reported on in this paper is one of the action plans of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on its intervention in capacity building for Nigerian tertiary institutions and by extension the education sector of Nigeria economy. The method and materials of the research are survey and acquisition of the knowledge of IT human capital and infrastructure, development of a warehouse of the knowledge and a Web Site for hosting the knowledge warehouse. A software engine for the mining, processing, periodic update of the knowledge warehouse and statistical analysis of findings was developed as well. The system is meant to serve as a platform for testing and measurement of the Strength, Weakness Opportunity and Threat (SWOT) of Nigerian tertiary institutions with a view to identifying their areas of needs for intervention funds. The system may serve as a window to online and real time accreditation of academic programmes by the regulatory bodies such as NUC, NBTE and NCCE, as well. Keywords: NITDA, SWOT, HTML, WAMP, Software.

Essential Knowledge Domains Underlying Effective Rehabilitation Counseling Practice

The purpose of this study was to identify and examine the major knowledge domains required for rehabilitation counseling practice across settings in today's rapidly changing practice environment. Data obtained and analyzed from a recent national study by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) is reported and reviewed in detail. Specific implications for knowledge translation of the study's finding for practitioner certification and academic program accreditation are identified.

Essential Knowledge Domains Underlying Effective Rehabilitation Counseling Practice

The purpose of this study was to identify and examine the major knowledge domains required for rehabilitation counseling practice across settings in today's rapidly changing practice environment. Data obtained and analysed from a recent national study by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) is reported and reviewed in detail. Specific implications for knowledge translation of the study's finding for practitioner certification and academic program accreditation are identified.

Accreditation outcomes, quality of and access to university education in Nigeria

PurposeIn response to the challenges of enhancing quality, the agency of government which is responsible for coordinating university education in Nigeria, the National Universities Commission, evolved a system of academic programme accreditation in 1991 to ensure conformity with minimum standards and to promote quality. The purpose of this paper is to examine the outcomes of some of those accreditation exercises and how they have influenced the quality of and access to university education.Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyses secondary source data from accreditation reports of 1999, mop up exercises and accreditation re‐visitation of 2000‐2005 and that of November 2005.FindingsThe mean percentage of programmes with full accreditation status was found to have increased from 12.6 in 1999 to 48.5 in 2005, that of programmes which got interim accreditation decreased from 72.66 in 1999 to 48.30 in 2005, while the one for programmes which were denied accreditation decreased from 17.9 in 1999 to 9.5 in 2005. Federal universities had more programmes with full accreditation and less programmes with denied accreditation status. State universities had less number of programmes with full accreditation and higher number with denied accreditation status. Generally, the results showed that accreditation status of most academic programmes improved in subsequent accreditation exercises, meaning that the deficiencies noticed were remedied. The programmes that were denied accreditation caused a reduction in the number of vacancies for student admission.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper focuses on federal and state universities only. Private universities are excluded.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests that the universities in Nigeria should be closely monitored for their academic programmes to scale the accreditation hurdle.Originality/valueThe paper shows that accreditation of academic programmes helps to improve the quality of university education.

“Would some form of accreditation of academic programs be beneficial to the geosciences?”

“Would some form of accreditation of academic programs be beneficial to the geosciences?”

Accreditation of academic programmes in Nigerian universities: the role of the Library

This paper enumerates the legal basis for accreditation of academic programmes in Nigerian Universities and the National Universities Commission\'s definition of accreditation. The areas assessed during accreditation include, philosophy and objective of the programme, curriculum, quantity and quality of teaching staff, students admission, standard of examination, physical facilities, financial support, the library and so on. The advantages of the accreditation and the types of accreditation awarded each academic programme after the exercise are explained. The importance of books, journals and other resource materials in the library during an accreditation exercise are also enumerated. These include, emphasis on the library holdings, quantity and quality of materials and their currency. Other areas of the library that deserve the proper attention of the accreditation team are also highlighted. Keywords : academic, accreditation, library, Nigeria, programmes, universities Lagos Journal of Library and Information Science Vol. 1(1) 2003: 24-27

An evaluation of human movement studies curricula of Nigeria tertiary institutions

Curricula of studies generally in most countries are dynamic, and continuous facets of education process depicting changes and needs of societies. Tertiary institutions as the upper echelon of education in Nigeria have experienced very little changes in their curricula since the ‘70s, the only notable change being the accreditation of academic programmes of the higher institutions initiated by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in the early ‘80s. This is also true of curricula of Physical and Health Education (PHE) offered by most Universities and Colleges of Education in the country. The stagnation in the PHE curricula does not reflect the numerous changes and transformations the country has experienced over the past three decades. If higher education should serve the needs of the people and the country, such needs must be reflected in the curricula of studies of our institutions. Except for a few universities, the focus of the PHE curricula in Nigeria has remained too dogmatic and uninspiring. Presently all over the world the focus has shifted from merely producing participants (e.g. athletes), teacher preparation, health education, to preventive health, health and wellness of individuals, prevention of major risk factors of life, etc. Hence the adoption of various nomenclatures such as Human Movement Studies, Biokinetics, Human Kinetics, Sport, Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, Kinesiology, Sport and Physical Rehabilitation Sciences, Recreation and Leisure Sciences, etc to emphasise the focus. The current trend of training in Human Movement Studies as practised in countries like USA, Australia, Britain, Canada, South Africa, etc gives room for programme diversification and specialisation and better jobs opportunities for students. This paper therefore analyses the present PHE curricula of Nigeria tertiary institutions, and the need for a change in curricula with a view to: (1) adopting more focused nomenclatures, (2) developing diversified programmes of study that cater for the current needs of the country and interests of students, (3) creating more areas of specialization, focus and application, and (4) creating better job opportunities for the students. The paper benchmarks current trends and practices in Human Movement Studies in both developed and developing countries of the world to justify the call for PHE curricula review. (Af. J. Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance: 2003 9(2): 277-292)

Dental technology program administrators' attitudes toward credentialing health manpower

The purpose of this study was to identify the attitudes of administrators of dental technology programs toward health manpower credentialing. A survey instrument was developed by allied health professionals knowledgeable in the credentialing process. The instrument contained 32 items that were categorized into three subscales and sought information about academic program accreditation, certification, and the licensure of dental technicians. The survey was sent to the directors of the 57 dental technology programs accredited by the American Dental Association, Usable returns totaled 49, or 86 percent. The data indicated that dental technology program administrators support the concept and practice of health manpower credentialing. The data also indicated that these administrators felt that academic program accreditation was of value in meeting demands for quality assurance in dental technology, and that certification of technicians, while beneficial, had been of little value in terms of rewards (recognition and economic gains) for the credential holder. In addition, licensure of dental technicians was found to be desirable.