[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 135 (Friday, July 13, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36759-36760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17536]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Recognition of Accrediting Agencies, State Agencies for the 
Approval of Public Postsecondary Vocational Education, and State 
Agencies for the Approval of Nurse Education

AGENCY: National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and 
Integrity, Department of Education (The Advisory Committee).

What Is the Purpose of This Notice?

    The purpose of this notice is to invite written comments on 
accrediting agencies whose applications to the Secretary for initial or 
renewed recognition or request for an expansion of scope will be 
reviewed at the Advisory Committee meeting to be held on December 10-
11, 2001.

Where Should I Submit My Comments?

    Please submit your written comments by August 27, 2001 to Carol 
Griffiths, Chief, Accrediting Agency Evaluation, Accreditation and 
State Liaison. You may contact her at the U.S. Department of Education, 
1990 K Street, NW., 7th Floor, Room 7105, Washington, DC 20006-8509, 
telephone: (202) 219-7011. Individuals who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service at 1-800-877-8339.

What Is the Authority for the Advisory Committee?

    The National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and 
Integrity is established under section 114 of the Higher Education Act 
(HEA), as amended, 20 U.S.C. 1011c. One of the purposes of the Advisory 
Committee is to advise the Secretary of Education on the recognition of 
accrediting agencies and State approval agencies.

Will This Be My Only Opportunity To Submit Written Comments?

    Yes, this notice announces the only opportunity you will have to 
submit written comments. However, a subsequent Federal Register notice 
will announce the meeting and invite individuals and/or groups to 
submit requests to make oral presentations before the Advisory 
Committee on the agencies that the Committee will review. That notice, 
however, does not offer a second opportunity to submit written comment.

What Happens to the Comments That I Submit?

    We will review your comments, in response to this notice, as part 
of our evaluation of the agencies' compliance with the Secretary's 
Criteria for Recognition of Accrediting Agencies. The Criteria are 
regulations found in 34 CFR part 602 (for accrediting agencies) and in 
34 CFR part 603 (for State approval agencies).
    We will also include your comments in the staff analyses we present 
to the Advisory Committee at its December 2001 meeting. Therefore, in 
order for us to give full consideration to your comments, it is 
important that we receive them by August 27, 2001. In all instances, 
your comments about agencies seeking initial or continued recognition 
or request for an expansion of scope must relate to the Criteria for 
Recognition. In addition, your comments for any agency whose interim 
report is scheduled for review must relate to the issues raised and the 
Criteria for Recognition cited in the Secretary's letter that requested 
the interim report.

What Happens to Comments Received After the Deadline?

    We will review any comments received after the deadline. If such 
comments, upon investigation, reveal that the accrediting agency is not 
acting in accordance with the Criteria for Recognition, we will take 
action either before or after the meeting, as appropriate.

What Agencies Are on the Agenda for the Meeting?

    The Secretary of Education recognizes accrediting agencies and 
State approval agencies for public postsecondary vocational education 
and nurse education if the Secretary determines that they meet the 
Criteria for Recognition. Recognition means that the Secretary 
considers the agency to be a reliable authority as to the quality of 
education offered by institutions or programs that are encompassed 
within the scope of recognition he grants to the agency. The following 
agencies will be reviewed during the December 2001 meeting of the 
Advisory Committee:

Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies

Petition for Initial Recognition

    1. Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (Requested scope of 
recognition: the accreditation of institutions and programs that award

[[Page 36760]]

postsecondary certificates, diplomas, and degrees in the practice of 
massage therapy.)

Petitions for Renewal of Recognition

    1. Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges, Commission on 
Accreditation (Current scope of recognition: The accreditation and 
preaccreditation (``Candidate for Accreditation'') of Bible colleges 
and institutes offering undergraduate programs.)
    2. American Academy for Liberal Education (Current scope of 
recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation (``Candidate for 
Accreditation'') of institutions of higher education and programs 
within institutions of higher education that offer liberal arts degrees 
at the baccalaureate level or a documented equivalency.)
    3. American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on 
Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (Current scope of 
recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation (``Candidate for 
Accreditation'' status) of programs for the preparation of physical 
therapists and physical therapist assistants. Requested scope of 
recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation (``Candidate for 
Accreditation'') of physical therapist education programs leading to 
the first professional degree at the master's or doctoral level and 
physical therapist assistant education programs at the associate degree 
level, including the use of distance education.)
    4. American Veterinary Medical Association, Council on Education 
(Current scope of recognition: The accreditation and preaccreditation 
(``Reasonable Assurance'') of programs leading to professional degrees 
(D.V.M. or D.M.V.) in veterinary medicine.)
    5. Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc., Accreditation 
Commission (Current scope of recognition: The accreditation of clinical 
pastoral education (CPE) centers and CPE and supervisory CPE programs.)
    6. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (Current scope of 
recognition: The accreditation of nursing education programs at the 
baccalaureate and graduate degree levels.)
    7. Distance Education and Training Council, Accrediting Commission 
(Current scope of recognition: The accreditation of private and non-
private distance education institutions offering non-degree and 
associate, baccalaureate, and master's degree programs primarily 
through the distance learning method. Requested scope of recognition: 
The accreditation of private and non-private distance education 
institutions offering non-degree and associate, baccalaureate, 
master's, and first professional degree programs primarily through the 
distance learning method.)
    8. National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (Current 
scope of recognition: The accreditation of programs in practical 
nursing, and diploma, associate, baccalaureate and higher degree nurse 
education programs.)

Petition for an Expansion of Scope

    1. Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training 
(Current scope of recognition: The accreditation of institutions of 
higher education that offer non-collegiate continuing education 
programs. Requested scope of recognition: The accreditation of 
institutions of higher education that offer non-collegiate continuing 
education programs and occupational associate degrees (Associate in 
Occupational Studies (A.O.S) and Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.))

Where Can I Inspect Petitions and Third-Party Comments Before and 
After the Meeting?

    All petitions and those third-party comments received in advance of 
the meeting, will be available for public inspection and copying at the 
U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street, NW., 7th Floor, Room 7105, 
Washington, DC 20006-8509, telephone (202) 219-7011 between the hours 
of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, until November 16, 
2001. They will be available again after the December 10-11 Advisory 
Committee meeting. An appointment must be made in advance of such 
inspection or copying.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2.

    Dated: June 27, 2001.
Maureen A. McLaughlin,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning, and Innovation, Office 
of Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 01-17536 Filed 7-12-01; 8:45 am]
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