The accreditation cycle refers to the periodic and systematic review process institutions undergo to retain their accredited status. This category includes terminology that outlines each phase of the cycle—from initial application to final decision and ongoing compliance.
The cycle ensures continuous improvement and accountability, aligning academic practices with regulatory and quality assurance standards. Institutional leaders, accreditation coordinators, and QA teams use these terms to manage deadlines, evidence collection, and external communications.
The process through which a new institution or program seeks its first recognition by an accrediting agency.
The process for maintaining accreditation after the initial period, usually involving self-study and site visits.
An interim evaluation conducted between full accreditation reviews to ensure continued compliance.
A focused report addressing specific findings or recommendations from previous evaluations.
The designated period (e.g., 5 or 10 years) for which an institution remains accredited before the next review.
Official communication from an accreditor indicating the outcome of the review process.
Modern accreditation cycles are increasingly continuous, leveraging real-time data reporting, LMS integrations, and dashboard-driven metrics to monitor ongoing compliance. Digital platforms now support document submission, peer reviews, and progress tracking throughout the accreditation term.