There are benefits of accreditation for schools, students, and the midwifery community. To take advantage of these benefits, institutions and programs must undergo a process of self- and peer-review.
Institutions Seeking Accreditation
Institutional accreditation refers to the review and approval of an entire institution, including all of its financial and management aspects. MEAC institutional accreditation is limited to independent or freestanding educational entities that primarily provide midwifery education. If the institution also offers other educational programs beyond the scope of midwifery expertise, the institution must be accredited by another agency recognized by the US Department of Education and the midwifery educational program can then apply for MEAC programmatic accreditation.
Programs Seeking Accreditation
Programmatic accreditation refers to the review and approval of a midwifery program that legally functions as part of a larger institution with a scope larger than midwifery. In order to apply for programmatic accreditatiom, the program must be housed within an institution already accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education.
Training Requirements Prior to Applying for Accreditation
Every school is required to undergo the MEAC Prospective Applicant Accreditation Training prior to submitting an application for initial accreditation. This training involves a mix of self-study, live sessions, and readiness assessments. When all four steps are complete, MEAC will provide the most recent version of the programmatic or institutional application.
Stage One is a self-guided study that can be started at any time. It involves reading the MEAC Accreditation Handbook and learning more about our standards and the value of accreditation. Please contact the MEAC Director of Accreditation to access the materials.
Stage Two is a live session on best practices in accreditation. This will generally be held every March and October and is by invitation only for schools that have completed Stage One.
Stage Three is a detailed readiness assessment that the school will conduct on its own. The readiness assessment materials will be provided to each school upon completion of Stage Two.
Stage Four is a one on one meeting with the Director of Accreditation to go over the readiness assessment, take a closer look at the process and systems for applying for accreditation, and deciding when to take the next step. The Part I Application for Accreditation will be provided to schools following the Stage Four meeting.
MEAC will only accept Part I Applications in February and August of each year. Depending on administrative capacity, up to two applicants will be selected to move forward. Selection will be based on those demonstrating a clear readiness for accreditation.
Direct and Indirect Costs associated Accreditation
There are direct and indirect costs associated with being an accredited midwifery school.
Direct Costs
(depend much on the number of students enrolled in the institution or program)
Fee Calculator for Prospective Schools
Note: This calculator has been provided to for information purposes only- please refer to the current Accreditation Handbook, Section E: Fees for the current fee schedule.
Initial Accreditation Cost
Number of Students: | |
Application Fee: $300 | $300 |
Base Rate: $1874 | $1874 |
Accredited Program:
$7/Student Accredited Institution: $13/Student |
$49 |
Fee at an institution that offers distance
or correspondence education: $7/Student Fee at a degree-granting institution: $7/Student Fee per student in an institution that participates in Title IV: $8/Student |
$0
$0
$0
|
Site Visit Fee (Due 8 weeks in advance of Site Visit): $1500 per site visitor | $4500 |
$6374 |
Sustaining Fees:
Number of Students: | |
Base Rate: $3817 | $0 |
Accredited Program: $83/Student Accredited Institution: $141/Student <0/td> | $0 |
Fee at an
institution that offers distance education: $24/Student Fee at a degree-granting institution: $84/Student Fee per student in an institution that participates in Title IV: $58/Student |
$0
$0
$0
|
$0 |
Indirect Costs
Required as part of MEAC standards | |
Annual Audit or financial review required by MEAC The financial state of the institution is assessed annually by an independent accountant.
Financial Audits are not required if a program (within an institution) is accredited. |
Cost ranges from $1500 to $8000. Financial Reviews generally cost less than full financial audits. |
State Licensure fee/state authorization | Varies from state to state |
Potential Operational Costs | |
Staffing and administrative expenses | In order to fulfill your obligations in meeting MEAC’s Standards, you may need to hire additional personnel. |
Estimated personnel hours for example school: | Part I Application for Accreditation: 5 hours Part II Self-Evaluation Reports: 100 hours Annual Reporting: 10 hours |
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