Why Accreditation Matters to the Public
CIPS accreditation enables academic institutions to demonstrate to the public that they are serious about advancing the quality of their programs. It is recognition by the profession that these programs are preparing students well, and it encourages "best practices" in education through formal, continuous quality improvement (CQI) processes.
The Professional Standard – a Peer-Review Process
CIPS accreditation criteria are developed by ICT professionals. Coming from both academic and industry backgrounds, CIPS volunteers are trained experts who evaluate the programs for relevancy, content, and quality. This third-party peer review protects the community’s best interests, as well as the professions. It is a solid process that has been refined over nearly 30 years.
Please watch Council for Higher Education Accreditation's short video on accreditation.
Educational Innovation
CIPS supports and stimulates innovation in education by focusing on continuous quality improvement processes, not by prescribing methods. With technological change occurring so rapidly, institutions must ensure their programs are dynamically evolving. One way they can respond to this challenge is by participating in the CIPS accreditation process.
Professional Proficiency
Graduates of CIPS accredited programs achieve the essential level of knowledge upon which the public can rely — as employers, consumers, and citizens. Graduates of CIPS-accredited programs can demonstrate the skills and expertise expected of professionals in their fields.
Global Workforce
Because of increasing globalization, CIPS works to ensure that the graduates of accredited programs can employ their talents internationally. CIPS does so by signing agreements with educational quality assurance organizations in other countries and jurisdictions. Not only does this allow CIPS-accredited program graduates to use their skills around the world, but it also raises their value to key employers.
