Who Benefits from Accreditation?

The accreditation process of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences provides a valuable service to the public, students, institutions, programs, and the profession. Specifically,

• the public can be assured that AAFCS-accredited programs are evaluated extensively and conform to the expectations of the profession;
• students can identify programs that meet their chosen profession’s standards for a quality education;
• institutions of higher education and their family and consumer sciences programs benefit from the self-evaluation and program improvement provided by the accreditation process and earn credibility; and
• the profession benefits from crucial input into the standards established for its future professionals.

What are the Benefits of Accreditation?

• provides formal recognition by peers, both within the institution and across the country.
• encourages planning, identifies areas for change, and provides substantial information that can be used to support resource decisions.
• is extremely influential in recruiting outstanding faculty and students.
• contributes to the assurance that graduates of these programs have formal preparation that meets nationally accepted standards and quality.
• enhances credibility.
• helps position programs to accommodate the changes in the restructuring academic world.
• self study and site visit processes provide opportunities to help faculty members, unit personnel, and institution leadership to better understand the FCS program.
• helps ensure that the institution is a leader in the development of family and consumer sciences professionals.
• may affect the amount of state monies that the unit or institution receives.
• promotes program improvement.
• helps FCS units in discussions about resource allocations with university administrators.
• can be a very strong factor in program retention discussions.
• offers a competitive advantage for programs, students, and careers.