Section F: Site Visit and Interviews for Institutions

The MEAC accreditation process includes a site visit to the institution and interviews of students, graduates, faculty and administrative staff to verify that the information provided in the Self-Evaluation Report (SER) is accurate and complete. Any particular concerns identified during MEAC’s review of the SER and/or comments received from third parties will be shared with the institution/program in advance and can be addressed during the site visit.

The site visit is conducted by members of the Accreditation Review Committee (ARC) appointed to evaluation the institution’s or program’s compliance with MEAC Standards with support from MEAC staff. Site visits will vary in length from two to three days depending on the size and complexity of the institution to be visited, travel considerations and the availability of key people. Interviews may take place before, during and/or after the site visit.

MEAC works with the institution to establish the best time for the site visit and a tentative schedule of activities for the actual visit. During the visit, ARC members, with support from MEAC staff, will audit files, examine records, tour facilities, and conduct interviews. They will use standardized forms to organize and document their work.

At the end of the visit, the site visitors will provide a verbal summary of their findings to representatives of the institution, reporting its strengths and weaknesses in regard to compliance with the standards. A written report summarizing the results of the ARC’s review of the SER, site visit and interviews will be prepared by the ARC and sent to the school. The institution will have an opportunity to respond to the report and to provide any missing or new information before the ARC’s final report is sent to the MEAC Board of Directors for an accreditation decision.

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