Prepare Your Institution for Accreditation and Reaffirmation
We understand the burden these processes place on institutions, their staff, and faculty and are thrilled to be a trusted partner in providing the guidance necessary to help your institution secure the benefits of accreditation.
We consult on every aspect of accreditation, and can assist with:
- Professional counsel on accreditation and guidance on accreditation-related issues, including assistance with self-studies, substantive change proposals, institutional responses, and findings of non-compliance.
- Strategic planning and the integration of planning with budgeting, financial forecasting, assessment, and accreditation processes.
- Curriculum development and professional program reviews.
- New program feasibility studies for accreditors, donors, and internal stakeholders and shareholders.
- Strategic financial analysis and forecasting using the Fiscal Fitness Index.
Take the Next Step
Our team members can provide the guidance necessary to help your institution secure the benefits of regional accreditation, including security for student financial aid programs, improved prospects for credit transfer, and public recognition of your college or university’s quality.
Prepare your institution for accreditation and reaffirmation with Emerge Education.
Emerge team members will guide your institution through the intense assessment and quality improvement work necessary to build strong systems that inspire accreditor confidence.
Emerge also provides consultation to institutions facing accreditation actions for failure to properly document and report that they are meeting standards.
We work with many institutions seeking accreditation eligibility or pursuing reaffirmation of accreditation from regional, national, specialized, and programmatic accreditors, including:
- The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council of Colleges (SACSCOC)
- The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
- The Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
- The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
- The Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)
- Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) Accreditation Commission
Important Information:
For institutions seeking accreditation or reaffirmation services, please note that this is a comprehensive process. Depending on the level of consultation and work required—such as accreditation guidance, strategic planning, curriculum development, program reviews, or feasibility studies for new programs—the process may take several months or longer. This often requires a commitment of multiple resources from Emerge to address these needs effectively. Each institution has unique circumstances and may be at different stages in the accreditation process, which can impact the timeline for completion.
Meet our accreditation expert
Dr. Gerard O’Sullivan
Dr. O’Sullivan serves as Emerge Education’s Senior VP for Accreditation and Compliance. Dr. O’Sullivan holds a Ph.D. from The University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree from Vanderbilt University and the baccalaureate degree, summa, from Fordham University. He is also a graduate of Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management.
For almost thirty years, Dr. O’Sullivan has served independent higher education in roles of increasing responsibility, from faculty member and program director through Dean, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and then Provost. He has written or co-written numerous self-study reports, interim and periodic review reports, and progress and monitoring reports. Dr. O’Sullivan has also served as an accreditation visitor, team chair, report reader, and consultant to state and federal agencies on matters critical to independent higher education. He has published articles in Change: The Magazine of Higher Education and Dean & Provost, among others.
Ready to prepare your institution for accreditation or reaffirmation? Drop us a line – our team is looking forward to working with you!
