Periodic reevaluations occur in the six months before the expiration of a grant of accreditation. The grant of initial accreditation is limited to five years and reaffirmation to 10 years. The Commission may grant accreditation for shorter periods of time, with reasons given for the action in each case. Because accreditation is an ongoing relationship between the ATS Commission on Accrediting and the school, the Commission may authorize a visit prior to the scheduled visit for reaffirmation. Institutions shall engage in a comprehensive institutional self study in preparation for each periodic visit.
Self study entails both an internal institutional process and a written report of the findings.
The self study shall follow the guidance provided in the Handbook of Accreditation . In some cases, as described in the Handbook, the Commission may approve a special design for a self study that allows an institution to focus on identified areas of need. The self-study report shall be submitted, at least 60 days before the scheduled visit, to the ATS staff who, in consultation with the chairperson of the visiting committee, will have responsibility to determine whether the document is an adequate basis for conducting the visit or whether the visit should be postponed. If the visit is postponed by ATS staff for more than one semester, the institution shall have the right of appeal at the next scheduled meeting of the Commission on Accrediting. The Commission will publish the names of schools receiving a comprehensive evaluation visit in a given year, and request comment from other ATS member institutions.