The CIPS accreditation process for programs located outside of Canada is identical to the accreditation process for programs within the Canada. However, there are a few additional requirements associated with the request for evaluation, which are summarized below.

a) CIPS respects the autonomy of each nation’s higher education quality assurance organization and does not interfere with existing or future accreditation activities. In addition, CIPS is involved in international agreements with quality assurance organizations worldwide, such as Mutual Recognition Agreements, and Memoranda of Understanding. Accordingly, all programs located outside of Canada seeking an accreditation review must have each appropriate education authority, recognition, or accreditation agency complete a request for approval. A copy of the request of approval form can be obtained by contacting the CIPS Accreditation Secretariat. CIPS will only conduct an accreditation review outside Canada with explicit permission from all applicable national education accreditation authorities in that program’s country or region.

b) Before proceeding with a full accreditation visit, CIPS will first conduct a “scouting” review. The review will include two senior accreditation council members visiting the institution. The objective of this review is to conduct a high-level assessment to ensure that there are no obvious and material concerns that would prevent a program from being successful in the accreditation effort. If the outcome of the review is positive, a full accreditation visit will be planned. No undertaking is given by CIPS as to the eventual accreditation of the program.

Accreditation Costs

For details, please see the Fee Schedule for Programs Outside Canada

Language Requirements

A program seeking accreditation in a country where English is not the native language must provide its program name both in English and in the native language.

Official transcripts must be provided in English or come with a certified/official English translation.

The self-study report and other documents provided to the review team must be in English.

Programs must be able to prepare for and receive a visiting review team conducting activities in English. All visit activities will be conducted in English.

Questions?

Please contact the Accreditation Department