Specific areas the study will cover are academic and financial integrity, rules compliance and commitment to equity. The certification program and its standards were overwhelmingly approved by the NCAA membership at its convention in January 1993. I institution will be reviewed for certification every five years. I institutions will begin their study during one of the next three years.
Academic accreditation is common in colleges and universities.
This program is the first to focus solely on certification of athletics programs. The certification program's purpose is to ensure integrity in the institution's athletics operations. It will open up athletics to the rest of the university community and to the public. Institutions will benefit by increasing awareness and knowledge of the athletics program campus-wide, confirming its strengths and developing plans to improve in areas of concern. The committee responsible for the study will include Kathyrn Yatrakis, chairwoman of the steering committee, various members of the university faculty and staff, and athletics department personnel.