CEA Grants First International Accreditation
Foundations English Program, Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi

John Herlihy, Foundations Programs Director, Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi
Teresa D. O’Donnell, Executive Director, CEA

Overview
The Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) began as an accrediting body for U.S. postsecondary intensive English programs and English language institutions. In 2003 CEA was recognized by the US Secretary of Education as an authority on such accreditation for US sites. To date 54 sites have been accredited.

However, over the years, CEA has received numerous requests for accreditation outside the U.S. and in 2003 took a step to meet those needs when it was approach by both the Foundations English Program at the Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and by the Language Centre at Kuwait University. Following preliminary visits, during which it was determined that the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions were applicable to the two programs for the most part, both were invited to join in a pilot project to undergo the CEA accreditation review process.

The success of the project became evident when the Foundation English Program at the Petroleum Institute was accredited by the Commission in April 2006.

The Petroleum Institute’s Goals
John Herlihy, Director of the program, explains the reasoning behind the Institute’s interest in accreditation, as well as the benefits of the process.

Several years ago as a young start-up institution, the need for accreditation was a high priority challenge for senior management at the Petroleum Institute. All of the five engineering programs were modeling their curriculum and syllabus documents on the model for program accreditation by the Accrediting Bureau for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Because of the importance of accreditation in helping a young and growing institution in meeting internationally recognized standards of excellence, the Foundation Program also modeled its curriculum and syllabus documents to be in line with the other programs within the Institute, even though the Foundation Program would not be involved in the ABET accreditation. The Foundation Program wanted to avoid being labeled an inferior program by the degree programs for lack of accreditation. Some kind of accreditation seemed to be the path forward in order to verify the high quality of English language instruction being delivered.

The program found that, except for CEA, there were no organizations that accredited similar programs internationally. In addition, at that time CEA did not offer accreditation outside the U.S. but indicated that it might in the future. After some time of mutual encouragement, the Commission agreed to proceed with the Foundation English Program as a pilot program for CEA’s first international accreditation initiative.

The entire process of seeking CEA accreditation spanned three academic years, from the initial feasibility site visit during the 2003-2004 academic year, the self-study that took place in 2004-2005 and finally the on-site visit by the CEA accreditation team for observation and verification of the activity of the English Language Program and review by the Commission in 2005-2006.

Outcomes and Benefits
Initially, faculty and administrators had that daunting feeling that the ship they had embarked upon would pass through very difficult waters indeed. However, once the appropriate committees were established and members had made their way through the rigors of the self-study, everyone soon began to realize that this experience would not only present a formidable challenge; but would also offer enormous benefits as the program moved forward to develop the best possible English language curriculum and related services for students.

Within the Institute itself, efforts to bring the program into compliance with the 52 CEA standards through its formal self-study process offered a standardized external model that served as a tremendous energizer for everyone involved in the development of the program. By addressing the standards, they were able to focus more clearly on the program's mission statement and educational objectives, to create a systematic review of policies and procedures, and initiate a well-defined framework for continued planning and growth. It addition, the self-study forced those involved to develop a holistic overview to the curriculum and services that involved all the departments of the Institute.

As a natural consequence to all these activities, faculty and staff were brought together with a heightened sense of professionalism and collegiality as they worked through their responses to the standards.

Ultimately, the Foundation English Program as a developing entity was able to recognize strengths and improve on weaknesses. By modeling itself on external standards of excellence, and by successfully meeting the rigorous standards that lead to accreditation, the program raised its standing considerably within the Petroleum Institute itself, as well as improved immensely the English language program. Externally, the Foundation English Program’s profile was raised among its professional peers by its being the first in the Gulf region to achieve CEA accreditation status.

CEA and Future Initiatives
With the successful accreditation of the Foundation English Program, which confirmed the applicability of the CEA standards and procedures, and because of increasing numbers of international programs inquiring about CEA accreditation, the Commission is carrying out several projects to expand this initiative: conducted a survey to determine specific international needs; is conducting additional pilot studies with several non-U.S. English programs that offer non-intensive English programs; and has proposed and received a grant from the TOEFL Board to review and revise materials used for international reviews (not the standards themselves, which are applied equally both inside and outside the U.S.) to ensure that they are generally applicable.

Interest in accreditation of all types is expanding around the world. Those who are interested in learning more about CEA and the process of accreditation can find out more about CEA on the web site at www.cea-accredit.org.