Information for Accrediting Agencies Regarding Temporary Flexibilities Provided to Coronavirus Impacted Institutions or Accrediting Agencies
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) has received inquiries from institutions of higher education and accrediting agencies regarding regulatory flexibilities that may be necessary in response to COVID-19 interruptions. Because of the highly unusual circumstances and challenges presented to the postsecondary education community by COVID-19, the Department provides the following guidance to accreditors, who should view this additional flexibility as a unique and temporary departure from the Department’s accreditation agency requirements.
In earlier COVID-19 information provided by the Department, we extended temporary flexibility to institutions to implement distance learning solutions to continue educating students in the event of campus interruptions or the unexpected return of students from travel abroad experiences. We similarly provided flexibility to accrediting agencies to waive routine regular distance learning review requirements and approval processes to allow institutions quickly to switch to distance learning so as to enable currently enrolled students to complete the current term.
As more campuses limit travel, reduce campus operations, or restrict visitors on campus, it may become difficult for accrediting agencies to perform site visits, including because the home institutions of site visitors have limited institutional travel.