No special groups are formed for reaccredidation. Institutional activities during the self-study must be invented and accomplished by the institution without outside guidance. A lengthy Self-Study Report, usually organized around the Criteria for Accreditation, describes institutional resources and operations. Studies analyze institutional processes and results to find ways to improve both. Cumulative evidence of systematic improvement forms basis for accreditation.
Reports are concise and focused.
The visiting team is composed of a diverse group of generalists, none of whom has previous knowledge of or involvement with the institution. The team spends 3 days on campus to review any institution. Visits are conducted by consultants with expertise in particular areas of institutional concern. The relationship between Consultant-Evaluators and institution may extend over a period of years and repeated interactions. NCA's comprehension of the institution's systems for assuring and improving quality guarantees that most institutional changes it initiates meet NCA's quality expectations.