The Architecture of Accreditation

• Author: Jay Conison
• Position: Dean and Professor, Valparaiso University School of Law.
• Pages: 1515-1538

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The Architecture of Accreditation

Jay Conison

ABSTRACT: Accreditation systems can be analyzed in terms of the

designer’s choices in three dimensions. One dimension is purpose of

accreditation, where purpose may relate to program quality or quality of

outcomes. The second dimension consists of types of accreditation norms

used to achieve these purposes. There are five principal types of norms

available in this dimension: process-quality norms, output norms, power-

allocation norms, self-determination norms, and consumer-protection

norms. The third dimension consists of degree of regulation, which includes

prescriptiveness or extensiveness of regulation. A sound accreditation system

will make choices along each of these three dimensions. Understanding the

range of possible structures helps one design, revise, and effectively analyze

accreditation systems.

I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 1517

II. THE SECTION OF LEGAL EDUCATION AND LAW SCHOOL

ACCREDITATION ................................................................................... 1518

III. DEGREE OF REGULATION ..................................................................... 1522

IV. PURPOSE OF ACCREDITATION .............................................................. 1525

A. QUALITY OF PROGRAM ................................................................... 1525

B. QUALITY OF OUTCOMES .................................................................. 1527

V. TYPES OF ACCREDITATION NORM ........................................................ 1528

A. PROCESS-QUALITY NORMS .............................................................. 1528

B. OUTCOME NORMS .......................................................................... 1529

C. POWER-ALLOCATION NORMS .......................................................... 1529

D. SELF-DETERMINATION NORMS ........................................................ 1531

E. CONSUMER-PROTECTION NORMS .................................................... 1532

VI. A NOTE ON OTHER NORMS ................................................................. 1533

A. INFORMATION NORMS .................................................................... 1533

 Dean and Professor, Valparaiso University School of Law.

1516 IOWA LAW REVIEW [Vol. 96:1515

B. CHANGE-MANAGEMENT NORMS ...................................................... 1533

C. JURISDICTIONAL NORMS ................................................................. 1534

D. SYSTEM AND PROCEDURAL NORMS .................................................. 1534

VII. TYPES OF ACCREDITATION SYSTEMS ..................................................... 1534

VIII. CODA: DISCOURSE ABOUT ACCREDITATION ........................................ 1536