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Accreditation Scope

Both English language programs and English language institutions may apply for CEA accreditation.

An English language program is an intensive English program (IEP) that resides within an already accredited institution. A university- or college-governed IEP, which resides within a larger, regionally accredited institution, qualifies for such programmatic accreditation.

An English language institution contains an IEP and is not accredited by any other body. It is independent in governance from a university or college although it may function on a contractual basis with a larger institution. Institutional accreditation includes the IEP, the institution that contains the IEP, and all English-related programs offered, including teacher training.

To be eligible for CEA accreditation, both programs (as defined above) and IEPs in institutions (also as defined above) must meet all of the following requirements:

1. be a postsecondary program in the United States or another country (see International Accreditation)
2. offer participants a minimum of 18 hours per week (1 hour = 50 minutes) of English language instruction
3. have a curriculum designed to serve the needs of postsecondary level students who are nonnative speakers of English
4. allow for the differentiation of participants by level of English language proficiency
5. offer instruction on an ongoing basis for at least 8 months of each calendar year
6. have been in operation and have offered a complete cycle of instruction for at least a year

The following are commonly occurring models of postsecondary English language programs and institutions that may be accredited by CEA.

1. Intensive English programs (IEPs) that are located within the organizational structure of academic units of a university or college. Such programs may be part of academic departments, such as ESL, English, linguistics, education, or continuing education.
2. IEPs that are located in non-academic units of a university or college, such as a student affairs division. Such programs may be governed in part by academic units (e.g., by means of committees composed of academic-unit personnel) or they may exist solely within the administrative structure of the non-academic unit.
3. English language institutions that exist independently of any college or university. To be accredited by CEA, such institutions must offer an intensive English program. The forms of ownership and governance of such institutions and the organizational structures in which they exist can vary greatly. Such institutions may be governed by individual proprietors, governing boards, or corporate managers and may exist as stand-alone single-owner schools, not-for-profit organizations governed by boards, or units that are part of larger, multi-site systems. In addition to an IEP, such institutions may offer other language related instruction.
4. English language institutions that are not part of a university or college but conduct classes upon a university or college campus. The use of university or college space by a non-university institution, and in some cases the provision of instruction by the institution to university or college students, is typically authorized by contractual agreements between the English language institution and the university or college. Such agreements may provide for varying levels of university or college involvement in the operations or administration of the English language institution.