Accreditation. Its nature, process, and effective implementation

The purpose of this article is to describe what accreditation is, how it operates, and how it can be used effectively for self-improvement. The nature of accreditation is presented in terms of its definition, purpose, types, and governmental influence. Accreditation is presented as a four-step process, of which self-study is the foremost step. Seven principles for a successful self-study are discussed. When accreditation is viewed and administered appropriately, it is an opportunity for self-improvement and a tool for quality assurance.