[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 30 (Wednesday, February 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10161-10163]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03314]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and 
Integrity (NACIQI)

AGENCY: National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and 
Integrity, Office of Postsecondary Education, U.S. Department of 
Education.

ACTION: Announcement of an open meeting of the National Advisory 
Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) and 
information pertaining to members of the public submitting third-party 
written and oral comments.

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ADDRESSES: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary 
Education, 1990 K Street NW., Room 8072, Washington, DC 20006.
    NACIQI'S Statutory Authority and Function: The NACIQI is 
established under Section 114 of the HEA of 1965, as amended, 20 U.S.C. 
1011c. The NACIQI advises the Secretary of Education about:
     The establishment and enforcement of the criteria for 
recognition of accrediting agencies or associations under Subpart 2, 
Part H, Title IV, of the HEA, as amended.
     The recognition of specific accrediting agencies or 
associations or a specific State approval agency.
     The preparation and publication of the list of nationally 
recognized accrediting agencies and associations.
     The eligibility and certification process for institutions 
of higher education under Title IV, of the HEA, together with 
recommendations for improvement in such process.
     The relationship between (1) accreditation of institutions 
of higher education and the certification and eligibility of such 
institutions, and (2) State licensing responsibilities with respect to 
such institutions.
     Any other advisory function relating to accreditation and 
institutional eligibility that the Secretary may prescribe.
SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the agenda for the June 6-7, 2013 
meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and 
Integrity (NACIQI); and provides information to members of the public 
on submitting written comments and on requesting to make oral comments 
at the meeting. The notice of this meeting is required under Section 
10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and Section 
114(d)(1)(B) of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended.
    Meeting Date and Place: The NACIQI meeting will be held on June 6-
7, 2013, from approximately 8:00 a.m. to approximately 5:30 p.m., at a 
location to be determined in the Washington DC area. The exact location 
will be published in the Federal Register and on the Department's Web 
site at http://www2.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/naciqi.html#meetings by 
May 6, 2013.
    Meeting Agenda: Below is a list of agencies, including their 
current and requested scopes of recognition, scheduled for review 
during the June 6-7, 2013 meeting:

Petitions for Continued Recognition

Accrediting Agencies

    1. Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training 
(ACCET) (Current Scope: The accreditation of institutions of higher 
education throughout the United States that offer non-collegiate 
continuing education programs and those that offer occupational 
associate degree programs and those that offer such programs via 
distance education.)
    2. Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) (Current 
Scope: The accreditation in the United States of professional 
optometric degree programs, optometric technician (associate degree) 
programs, and optometric residency programs, and for the 
preaccreditation categories of Preliminary Approval for professional 
optometric degree programs and Candidacy Pending for optometric 
residency programs in Department of Veterans Affairs facilities.)
    3. Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools (AARTS) 
(Current Scope: The accreditation and pre-accreditation 
(``Correspondent'' and ``Candidate'') within the United States of 
advanced rabbinical and Talmudic schools.) (Requested Scope: The 
accreditation and pre-accreditation (``Correspondent'' and 
``Candidate'') within the United States of advanced rabbinical and 
Talmudic schools which grant postsecondary degrees such as 
Baccalaureate, Masters, Doctorate, First Rabbinic and First Talmudic 
degrees.)
    4. Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education 
(CAHME) (Current Scope: The accreditation throughout the United States 
of graduate programs in healthcare management.)
    5. National Association of Schools of Dance, Commission on 
Accreditation (NASD) (Current Scope: The accreditation throughout the 
United States of freestanding institutions, and units offering dance 
and dance-related programs (both degree- and non-degree-granting), 
including those offered via distance education.) (Requested Scope: The 
accreditation throughout the United States of freestanding 
institutions, and units offering dance and dance-related programs (both 
degree- and non-degree-granting), including those offered via distance 
and correspondence education.)
    6. National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on 
Accreditation (NASAD)(Current Scope: The accreditation throughout the 
United States of freestanding institutions, and units offering art/
design and art/design-related programs (both degree- and non-degree-
granting), including those offered via distance education.) (Requested 
Scope: The accreditation throughout the United States of freestanding 
institutions, and units offering art/design and art/design-related 
programs (both degree- and non-degree-granting), including those 
offered via distance and correspondence education.)
    7. National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on 
Accreditation (NASM) (Current Scope: The accreditation throughout the 
United States of freestanding institutions, and units offering music 
and music-related programs (both degree- and non-degree-granting), 
including those offered via distance education.) (Requested Scope: The 
accreditation throughout the United States of freestanding 
institutions, and units offering music and music-related programs (both 
degree- and non-degree-granting), including those offered via distance 
and correspondence education.)
    8. National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on 
Accreditation (NAST) (Current Scope: The accreditation throughout the 
United States of freestanding institutions, and units offering theatre 
and theatre-related programs (both degree-and non-degree-granting), 
including those offered via distance education.) (Requested Scope:

[[Page 10162]]

The accreditation throughout the United States of freestanding 
institutions, and units offering theatre and theatre-related programs 
(both degree- and non-degree-granting), including those offered via 
distance and correspondence education.)
    9. New England Association Of Schools and Colleges, Commission on 
Institutions of Higher Education (NEA-CIHE) (Current Scope: The 
accreditation and preaccreditation (``Candidacy status'') of 
institutions of higher education in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, 
New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont that award bachelor's, 
master's, and/or doctoral degrees, and associate degree-granting 
institutions in those states that include degrees in liberal arts or 
general studies among their offerings, including the accreditation of 
programs offered via distance education within these institutions. This 
recognition extends to the Board of Trustees of the Association jointly 
with the Commission for decisions involving preaccreditation, initial 
accreditation, and adverse actions.) (Requested Scope: The 
accreditation and pre-accreditation (``Candidacy status'') of 
institutions of higher education in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, 
New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont that award bachelor's, 
master's, and/or doctoral degrees, and associate degree-granting 
institutions in those states that include degrees in liberal arts or 
general studies among their offerings, including the accreditation of 
programs offered via distance education within these institutions. This 
recognition extends jointly, to the Commission for accreditation and 
pre-accreditation decisions and to the Board of Trustees of the 
Association and the Commission for the appeal of adverse actions.)
    10. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher 
Learning Commission (NCA-HLC) (Current Scope: The accreditation and 
preaccreditation (``Candidate for Accreditation'') of degree-granting 
institutions of higher education in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, 
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, 
Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West 
Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, including the tribal institutions and 
the accreditation of programs offered via distance education within 
these institutions. This recognition extends to the Institutional 
Actions Council jointly with the Board of Trustees of the Commission 
for decisions on cases for continued accreditation or reaffirmation, 
and continued candidacy. This recognition also extends to the Review 
Committee of the Accreditation Review Council jointly with the Board of 
Trustees of the Commission for decisions on cases for continued 
accreditation or candidacy and for initial candidacy or initial 
accreditation when there is a consensus decision by the Review 
Committee.) (Requested Scope: The accreditation and preaccreditation 
(``Candidate for Accreditation'') of degree-granting institutions of 
higher education in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, 
Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, 
North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, 
and Wyoming, including the tribal institutions and the accreditation of 
programs offered via distance education within these institutions. This 
recognition extends to the Institutional Actions Council jointly with 
the Board of Trustees of the Commission for decisions on cases for 
continued accreditation or reaffirmation, and continued candidacy and 
to the Appeal Body jointly with the Board of Trustees of the Commission 
for decisions related to initial candidacy or accreditation or 
reaffirmation of accreditation.)

Petitions for Recognition Based on a Compliance Report

Accrediting Agencies

    1. Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine 
(ACAOM) (Current Scope: The accreditation and preaccreditation 
(``Candidacy'' status) throughout the United States of first-
professional master's degree and professional master's level 
certificate and diploma programs in acupuncture and Oriental medicine 
and professional post-graduate doctoral programs in acupuncture and in 
Oriental Medicine (DAOM), as well as freestanding institutions and 
colleges of acupuncture or Oriental medicine that offer such programs.)
    2. Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) 
(Current Scope: The accreditation of private postsecondary institutions 
throughout the United States offering certificates or diplomas, and 
postsecondary institutions offering associate, bachelor's, or master's 
degrees in programs designed to educate students for professional, 
technical, or occupational careers, including those that offer those 
programs via distance education.)
    3. American Bar Association (ABA) (Current Scope: The accreditation 
throughout the United States of programs in legal education that lead 
to the first professional degree in law, as well as freestanding law 
schools offering such programs. This recognition also extends to the 
Accreditation Committee of the Section of Legal Education 
(Accreditation Committee) for decisions involving continued 
accreditation (referred to by the agency as ``approval'') of law 
schools.)
    4. American Psychological Association (APA) (Current Scope: The 
accreditation in the United States of doctoral programs in clinical, 
counseling, school and combined professional-scientific psychology; 
predoctoral internship programs in professional psychology; and 
postdoctoral residency programs in professional psychology.)
    5. Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological 
Schools (ATSUSC) (Current Scope: The accreditation and pre-
accreditation (``Candidate for Accredited Membership'') of theological 
schools and seminaries, as well as schools or programs that are parts 
of colleges or universities, in the United States, offering post 
baccalaureate degrees in professional and academic theological 
education, including delivery via distance education.)
    6. American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation 
(CODA) (Current Scope: The accreditation of predoctoral dental 
education programs (leading to the D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree), advanced 
dental education programs, and allied dental education programs that 
are fully operational or have attained ``Initial Accreditation'' 
status, including programs offered via distance education.)
    7. Council On Occupational Education (COE) (Current Scope: The 
accreditation and preaccreditation (``Candidacy Status'') throughout 
the United States of postsecondary occupational education institutions 
offering non-degree and applied associate degree programs in specific 
career and technical education fields, including institutions that 
offer programs via distance education.)
    8. Transnational Association Of Christian Colleges and Schools 
(TRACS) (Current Scope: The accreditation and pre-accreditation 
(``Candidate'' status) of Christian postsecondary institutions in the 
United States that offer certificates, diplomas, and associate, 
baccalaureate, and graduate degrees, including institutions that offer 
distance education.)

[[Page 10163]]

State Approval Agency for Nurse Education

    1. Maryland Board of Nursing (MBN) (Current Scope: State agency for 
the approval of nurse education.
    Submission of Written Comments: Written comments must be received 
by March 4, 2013, in the [email protected] mailbox and 
include the subject line ``Written Comments: re (agency name).'' The 
email must include the name, title, affiliation, mailing address, email 
address, telephone and facsimile numbers and Web site (if any) of the 
person/group making the comment. Comments should be submitted as a 
Microsoft Word document or in a medium compatible with Microsoft Word 
(not a PDF file) that is attached to an electronic mail message (email) 
or provided in the body of an email message. Comments about an agency's 
compliance report must relate to the issues raised and the criteria for 
recognition cited in the Secretary's letter that requested the report. 
Comments about the renewal of an agency's recognition must relate to 
its compliance with the Criteria for the Recognition of Accrediting 
Agencies or the Criteria and Procedures for Recognition of State 
Agencies for Approval of Nurse Education, as appropriate, which are 
available at http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. Third 
parties having concerns about agencies regarding matters outside the 
scope of the petition should report those concerns to the Department. 
Only material submitted by the deadline to the email address listed in 
this notice, and in accordance with these instructions, become part of 
the official record concerning agencies scheduled for review and are 
considered by the Department and the NACIQI in their deliberations. 
Please do not send material directly to the NACIQI members.
    Submission of Requests To Make an Oral Comment: There are two 
methods the public may use to make a third-party oral comment of three 
to five minutes. All comments must concern one of the agencies 
scheduled for review at the June 6-7, 2013 meeting, and must relate to 
the Criteria for Recognition of accrediting agencies or the Criteria 
and Procedures for Recognition of State Agencies for Approval of Nurse 
Education, as appropriate. These criteria are available at: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html
    Method One: Submit a request by email to the 
[email protected] mailbox. Please do not send material 
directly to NACIQI members. Requests must be received by March 4, 2013, 
and include the subject line ``Oral Comment Request: re (agency 
name).'' The email must include the name, title, affiliation, mailing 
address, email address, telephone and facsimile numbers and Web site 
(if any) of the person/group requesting to speak. All individuals or 
groups submitting an advance request in accordance with this notice 
will be afforded an opportunity to speak for a maximum of five minutes 
each. Each request must concern the recognition of a single agency or 
institution tentatively scheduled in this notice for review, be no more 
than one page (maximum), and must include:
    1. The name, title, affiliation, mailing address, email address, 
telephone and facsimile numbers, and Web site (if any) of the person/
group requesting to speak; and,
    2. A brief summary of the principal points to be made during the 
oral presentation.
    Method Two: Register at the meeting location on June 6 or June 7, 
2013, to make an oral comment during the NACIQI's deliberations 
concerning a particular agency or institution scheduled for review that 
day. The requestor must provide his or her name, title, affiliation, 
mailing address, email address, telephone and facsimile numbers, and 
Web site (if any). A total of up to fifteen minutes during each agency 
review will be allotted for commenters who register on June 6 or June 
7, 2013. Individuals or groups will be selected on a first-come, first-
served basis. If selected, each commenter may speak from three to five 
minutes, depending on the number of individuals or groups who signed up 
the day of the meeting.
    If a person or group requests, in advance, to make comments they 
cannot also register for an oral presentation opportunity on June 6 or 
June 7, 2013. The oral comments made will become part of the official 
record and will be considered by the Department and NACIQI in their 
deliberations. No individual or group in attendance or making oral 
presentations may distribute written materials at the meeting.
    Access to Records of the Meeting: The Department will post the 
official report of the meeting on the NACIQI Web site shortly after the 
meeting. Pursuant to the FACA, the public may also inspect the 
materials at 1990 K Street NW., Washington, DC, by emailing 
[email protected] or by calling (202) 219-7067 to schedule an 
appointment.
    Reasonable Accommodations: The meeting site is accessible to 
individuals with disabilities. If you will need an auxiliary aid or 
service to participate in the meeting (e.g., interpreting service, 
assistive listening device, or materials in an alternate format), 
notify the contact person listed in this notice at least two weeks 
before the scheduled meeting date. Although we will attempt to meet a 
request received after that date, we may not be able to make available 
the requested auxiliary aid or service because of insufficient time to 
arrange it.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Griffiths, Executive Director, 
NACIQI, U.S. Department of Education, 1990 K Street NW., Room 8073, 
Washington, DC 20006-8129, telephone: (202) 219-7035, fax: (202) 219-
7005, or email: [email protected].
    Electronic Access to this Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free 
Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the 
Code of Federal Regulations is available via the Federal Digital System 
at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well 
as all other documents of this Department published in the Federal 
Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF, 
you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the 
site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at: 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

David A. Bergeron,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education.
[FR Doc. 2013-03314 Filed 2-12-13; 8:45 am]
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