The Commission staff develops procedures for joint visits by the Commission and another CHEA-recognized accrediting agency. A joint visit must be requested by the institution and the procedures for the visit must be set forth in a memorandum of agreement approved by the Executive Director of the Commission and by the other accrediting agency . Each institution of higher education determines for itself whether or not to seek accreditation by any particular agency. The Commission bases its accreditation on its own General Institutional Requirements, Criteria, and processes, but it takes into consideration adverse actions taken by any institutional accrediting agency previously associated with an institution. An institution accredited by the Commission and holding accredited status with another recognized accrediting agency may request a cooperative evaluation.
Joint visits are limited to two participating agencies.
Joint visits will typically involve shared decision-making among evaluators representing the two agencies and will culminate in a single team report that complies with the requirements of both agencies. Written agreements negotiated between the Executive Director of the Commission or the Director's designee and the Executive Director or designee of the other institutional accrediting agency will govern cooperation and the mechanics and output of the evaluation. Such agreements will be reviewed periodically. Coordinated visits typically are limited to no more than three participating agencies. While the teams of the participating agencies may coordinate some or many of their activities on campus, decision-making and the production of the team report will be done separately by each agency.