HEQRB Accreditation | Standards, Process & Eligibility

Our Standards

Our Nine Standards

Accreditation by HEQRB is based on an institution's adherence to nine comprehensive standards. These standards ensure that every aspect of the institution—from its mission to its finances—is geared toward quality, integrity, and student success.

Standard 1: Christian Mission & Identity: The institution must have a clear, public Christian mission that is integrated into governance and curriculum. It should be expressed in statements and lived practice, with respectful engagement with other faiths.
Standard 2: Governance, Leadership & Integrity: The institution is governed by an active board with fiduciary oversight and independence. It must demonstrate transparent leadership, ethical practices, and compliance with national laws when these laws do not contradict the Bible.
Standard 3: Academic Programs & Learning: Outcomes Programs must have learning outcomes aligned with the institution's mission. Curricula must be coherent and rigorous, subject to regular review for improvement.
Standard 4: Faculty Quality & Development: Faculty must be credentialed for the level and field they teach. The institution must support faculty with fair hiring practices, appropriate workloads, and development opportunities.
Standard 5: Student Learning Assessment & Institutional Effectiveness: The institution must have a systematic process for assessing learning outcomes at all levels. Data on persistence, completion, and graduate outcomes must be used for planning and improvement.
Standard 6: Student Experience & Well-Being: The institution must ensure admissions integrity and provide robust student support services, including counseling, career guidance, and pastoral care. A safe, inclusive learning environment is required.
Standard 7: Learning Resources, Technology & Online Education: Students must have access to appropriate library and information resources. Technology must support engagement, accessibility, and academic honesty.
Standard 8: Finance, Facilities & Sustainability: The institution must demonstrate financial health through multi-year budgeting, financial controls, and clean audits. Facilities must be adequate to support programs.
Standard 9: Community Impact, Partnerships & Public Information: The institution engages in ethical community partnerships that enhance its mission. All public information, including catalogs and websites, must be accurate and truthful.

The Process

Your Accreditation Pathway

HEQRB follows a structured, multi-phase process designed to guide institutions from initial inquiry to full reaffirmation of accreditation.

Phase 1: Inquiry & Orientation (0–6 months). This phase begins with an introductory call or webinar to assess the institution's fit with HEQRB's mission.
Phase 2: Application & Candidacy Review (6–12 months). The institution submits a formal application dossier. This is followed by a candidacy visit, which can be onsite or hybrid. A decision is then made to decline the applicant or grant Candidate status for up to 3 years.
Phase 3: Self-Study & Comprehensive Evaluation (12–24 months). The institution undertakes a guided self-study, and a peer review team is assigned and trained.
Phase 4: Site Visit & Commission Decision (24+ months). A peer review team conducts a 3-4 day site visit to verify evidence and interview stakeholders. The team produces a report, the institution responds, and the Commission takes action. Initial accreditation is typically granted for 5 years.
Phase 5: Continuous Improvement & Reaffirmation. Accredited institutions submit annual reports and a mid-cycle progress letter. The cycle concludes with a new self-study and visit for reaffirmation.

Eligibility & Policies

Is Your Institution Eligible?

To be eligible to apply for HEQRB accreditation, an institution must meet the following criteria:

Be a post-secondary provider offering certificates, diplomas, or degrees.
Possess a Christian identity and mission affirmed by governance documents and practice.
Have offered at least one cohort of students in the last 24 months.
Maintain governance independence sufficient to safeguard academic integrity.
Demonstrate financial viability and risk management.
Commit to HEQRB standards, annual reporting, and peer review.
Ensure non-discrimination, student safety, and respectful witness in diverse religious environments.

Key Policies: Institutions must seek prior approval for substantive changes, including launching new degree levels, changing mission, mergers, or significant shifts to online delivery. We have specific policies regarding online education, safeguarding, ethics, and legal compliance that all member institutions must adhere to.

Types of Accreditation

Understanding Accreditation Actions

HEQRB's commission can take several actions during the accreditation process. Each status reflects a specific stage in an institution's journey of quality assurance.

Applicant: The status of an institution that has formally begun the accreditation process.
Candidate (Provisional): A limited-term status granted to an institution that shows promise but needs to strengthen certain areas.
Initial Accreditation: Full accreditation status granted for a defined cycle.
Reaffirmation: The continuation of accreditation after a successful comprehensive review.
Deferral / Directed Improvement: A decision is delayed while the commission awaits additional evidence from the institution.
Probation: A serious status indicating concerns that require specific corrective actions.
Show-Cause: The institution must provide compelling reasons why its accreditation should not be withdrawn.
Withdrawal / Denial: Accreditation is either removed or not granted.

Get Accredited ➤

Get in Touch

We welcome inquiries from Christian higher education institutions across Africa seeking to enhance their quality and affirm their mission.

For all accreditation inquiries, please contact us: Info@HEQRB.org

Headquarters: Higher Education Quality Review Board (HEQRB), Mogadishu, Somalia

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