Preparing for a Self-Study: A Sample Checklist and Timeline

The steps outlined here reflect the guidelines and suggestions found in the Handbook of Accreditation, Section Two, "Guidelines for Conducting an Institutional Self-Study."

Prolegomenon

• Introduce the topic to the institutional community through a review of the self-study process and requirements (e.g., faculty meeting or retreat or board meeting).
• Review of institutional progress in addressing recommendations flowing from the last reaffirmation of accreditation.
• Develop a timeline for the self-study process, including setting dates for the visit. Ensure that, for joint visits, the regional dates are coordinated with the ATS Commission.
• Review of the institutional mission: determine whether a comprehensive mission study will be required preparatory to undertaking the self-study.
  

Two years before visit

First Semester

Organize the Process

Establish an organizational structure and develop job descriptions for each function:

• Supervisory or steering committee
• Self-study coordinator
• Editor
• Subcommittees—who as well as what

Establish a basic structure and process for each subcommittee to follow:

• Create or review guiding questions.
• Identify and review applicable standards.
• Review of the institutional mission and goals in the context of the topics of the subcommittee.
• Review existing evaluative information taken from ongoing information-gathering processes.
• Identify the kinds of additional data that will be necessary.
• Establish means of data collection and review process.
• Set regular meeting times.

Develop a preliminary outline of the self-study report

• Consult with ATS Commission staff at this point.
• Determine how the self-study will address regional and ATS Commission standards. Where can the report combine regional and ATS Commission standards, and where are they separate?
• How will 'the "themes" of the standards' be addressed?

Subcommittees begin

Second Semester

Self-study is in progress

• Subcommittees at work.
• Regular steering committee meetings monitor progress, solve problems, etc.
• Progress reports to community including board.

Date for site visit set by president and ATS Commission staff; this can be done earlier.

One Year Ahead of Visit

Third Semester

Subcommittees complete draft reports.

• Steering Committee reviews and makes any necessary requests for changes.
• Editor begins work.

President and ATS Commission staff confer on composition of visiting committee.

Fourth Semester

Final report completed

• Review draft (e.g., faculty, board, administration, and students). (Note: ATS Commission staff review of the draft is optional, at the initiative of the school, and on a time-available basis.)
• Steering Committee and editor work together to prepare final report, including
  • an index/table of contents to provide a clear guide to contents of the report.
  • introductory and concluding chapters.
  • necessary appendices.
• Faculty and board receive and formally endorse the completed report.

Begin organizing supporting documents for review by evaluation committee. For the run-up to the visit and the visit itself, see the following section, "The Visit."

For details on the formal distribution of the self-study, see "The Self-Study for Distribution" in this section.