Full Membership Application

The process for applying for ASPA Full Membership

Applying for Full ASPA Member Status

To apply for membership, an accrediting organization must submit an application as outlined below.

ASPA is a membership organization. Membership does not equate to recognition, nor does it certify the status, performance or integrity of the accreditation organization. Organizations seeking membership do so on a voluntary basis.

ASPA is under no obligation to accept any organization as a member.


ASPA Membership Application

  Before beginning the process, please review the Membership Eligibility Criteria below.
Full Membership Eligibility Criteria

For Full ASPA Membership, the accrediting organization must:

  • Demonstrate that it meets ASPA’s definition of Specialized or Professional and the supporting definitions (see list of definitions);
  • endorse the ASPA-Member Code of Good Practice; and
  • Submit the application and other required materials with the application fee of $500.00.

If the membership criteria are met and the applicant is accepted into membership by the ASPA Board of Directors, the term of membership will continue as long as the organization is a member in good standing.

Dues

Membership is contingent upon payment of current dues.
Dues for July, 1 2015 – June 30, 2016 are $4665 + (7.90 x number of accredited programs), capped at $8615. Dues will be pro-rated based on the date of approval for membership.



Process

Applications must address each of the following criteria. The application is reviewed by the Membership Committee, which may seek clarifying information from the applicant prior to formalizing a recommendation to the ASPA Board of Directors for review and action.

Describe (limit to 1 page) how applicant organization meets ASPA’s definition of specialized or professional and the supporting definitions (see definitions-specialized-professional).
Demonstrate that the organization’s governing body has endorsed the ASPA-Member Code of Good Practice; include a completed Code of Good Practice Endorsement Form.
Provide a brief statement (limited to 1 page) indicating: a) the nature and scope of accrediting activity, b) the date when accrediting activities were first initiated, and c) the number of programs currently accredited.
Provide the name(s) and titles of the principal staff or volunteer contact/representative and elected officers.

Provide evidence of adherence to good accreditation practice by submitting:

 

  • A brief narrative statement (limited to maximum of 14 pages) that describes how the organization:
    • conducts its accreditation process
    • establishes and revises accreditation standards
    • makes decisions on accreditation actions
    • demonstrates respect for institutional autonomy and academic freedom
    • selects and trains reviewers
    • promotes assessment and continuous quality improvement of accredited programs
    • provides public information about accredited programs (see rubric for guidance on this section)
  • Organizational data about the decision-making body, including: A) the names and affiliations of council/commission members and B) the frequency of meetings.
  • A copy of the accreditation standards or evaluation criteria.
  • A listing of agencies that recognize or require its accreditation activity (i.e. Certification Boards, Licensing Boards etc.)
The application letter must be signed by the chief executive or chief operating officer of the accrediting agency.
Include a check for $500. This non-refundable application fee will be applied to membership dues if membership is granted .
Mail the application letter with the application fee check and email an electronic version of all documents to the ASPA office.
*Membership is contingent upon payment of current membership dues.
Applicants will pay dues that are pro-rated based on the date of approval for membership.

Timeline

The Executive Director will acknowledge receipt of the application and screen it for completeness. Normally within a couple of weeks, the application will be reviewed by the Membership Committee for quality and appropriateness of responses to the criteria for membership. The Membership committee will then forward the application with a recommendation to the Board of Directors. The Board will review the application and make a decision at its next scheduled meeting, which may be in person or by teleconference. The Board of Directors shall have final authority to grant (or continue) membership. All membership decisions shall occur in executive session at an official meeting of the Board of Directors. A decision to grant membership shall require a simple majority vote of the entire Board. Applicants shall be notified in writing of the Board’s decision no later than two weeks following the meeting. (Adopted March 7, 1997; Revised: 2005, 2011, 2012)

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Reinstatement of Lapsed Membership

An ASPA-member organization which withdraws from or allows its membership to lapse may reinstate its membership under the following conditions:
The organization must reaffirm that it meets ASPA membership criteria.
If the organization pays the current fiscal year dues no later than July 31 of the third year, reinstatement will occur with no financial penalty or need to comply with the membership process.
The organization is eligible for this reinstatement option once.
After the period designated under item “2” above, the organization must comply with ASPA’s then-current membership process.
*(Effective April 8, 2013)

Accreditor Members

See a full list of accreditors who are members of ASPA and the professions and fields of study for which they set quality standards.

See The List


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