ACCREDITATION STATUS:

The Accreditation Council for K-12 Medical School Preparation Pipeline Programs (ACMSPP) is an independent physician-led, not-for-profit organization that sets and monitors the core competencies and educational standards essential in preparing future medical students to thrive in pre-medical undergraduate study, medical school and beyond.

Accreditation of a medical school preparation pipeline program is a process by which a program is evaluated by a group of its peers (“peer evaluators”) in order to determine its quality. The peer evaluators perform this evaluation by conducting an in-person “site visit,” after which an accreditation decision is made by the ACMSPP Board of Commissioners. When a medical school preparation pipeline program holds ACMSPP accreditation, it means that ACMSPP recognizes that a program meets a set of designated standards and can be trusted to deliver quality education. ACMSPP is also the largest accrediting agency, accrediting medical school preparation pipeline programs throughout the United States, its territories, and internationally.

The purpose of ACMSPP is to provide specialized accreditation to medical school preparation pipeline programs located in the United States, U.S. Territories, and internationally. The ACMSPP accredits programs that offer certificates and diplomas to educational non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, academic institutions (e.g., elementary and secondary schools, career academies) and/or healthcare agencies (e.g., hospitals).

The ACMSPP is recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) as a specialized accrediting agency.

Gather and organize evidence to make a case that a pipeline program meets or exceeds our standards and criteria for accreditation.

Self-study Process

The gathering of evidence is an ongoing process integrated into the providers own quality assurance systems. Throughout the accreditation cycle, providers gather and organize evidence to make a case that their medical school pipeline preparation programs meet ACMSPP standards. The Self-study Report is the collection of evidence and supporting narrative which forms the basis of the accreditation review and is the first source of information for the ACMSPP Site Visitor Team.

Formative Review 

After providers submit their self-study report, a formative review occurs for providers. ACMSPP assigns a Site Visitor Team, composed of trained peer reviewers to conduct a formative offsite review in which they explore the quality and depth of evidence that providers use to make their case for meeting ACMSPP standards and determine the focus of the site review.

Visit

After the formative review, the Site Visitor Team then conducts a two- to three-day site review to review evidence, verify data, and examine pedagogical artifacts (e.g., lesson plans, program activities, student work samples, and videos). During the visit, the team also interviews program leaders, faculty, students, and others. The Site Visitor Team identifies the extent to which evidence supports each standard, including any particular strengths or deficiencies. The Site Visitor Team provides a written report to the provider and the Accreditation Council that includes a summary team evaluation of the completeness, quality and strength of evidence for each standard.

Four times a year, the Accreditation Council convenes to review and make accreditation decisions through a three-step process.

Step One: Initial Review Team

There are three to four Council members assigned to an initial review team. They review the following:

• Self-Study Reports (as amended in response to formative response, if applicable)
• Evaluation Team Reports (including possible provider corrections and response)
• Comments by the lead site reviewer on the provider’s response

Clarifying questions may be directed to the representative of the pipeline program seeking accreditation and/or the lead site reviewer during the initial panel. After a thorough review, the panel prepares a written recommendation on the pipeline program seeking accreditation status.

Step Two: Second Review Team

Three to four council members review the written recommendation on the pipeline program seeking accreditation status by the lead site reviewer to ensure rigor, clarity, and consistency in accreditation recommendations. The second review team may make changes to the initial review team’s recommendations. The second review team recommendations are submitted to the full Accreditation Council.

Step Three: Accreditation Council

The final accreditation decision is made based on:

• Evidence submitted by the pipeline program seeking accreditation
• Findings from the Initial and Second Review Team, evidence must be aligned to ACMSPP Standards

Annual Reporting Requirement:

A Provider must submit an Annual Report to maintain accreditation or accreditation-eligibility. The report is opened for data entry each year in January. Providers are given 90 days from the date of system availability to complete the report. ACMSPP collects and applies the data from the Annual Report to:

• Monitor whether the Provider continues to meet the ACMSPP Standards between site reviews.
• Review and analyze evidence the Provider is remediating stipulations and AFIs.
• Monitor reports of substantive changes.
• Collect completer data, including for distance learning programs.
• Monitor how the Provider publicly reports candidate performance data and other consumer information on its website.
• Failure to submit an Annual Report will be reviewed by the ARM Committee which may recommend adverse action or lapse of eligibility to the Accreditation Council.

Revocation (for Continuing) or Denial (for Initial)

• Revocation or Denial of accreditation occurs if a Provider does not meet two (2) or more of the ACMSPP Standards.  
• In a case where accreditation is revoked or denied, the Provider can begin the application process after one (1) year from the date of the final decision.

Adverse Actions

ACMSPP’s adverse actions are denial of accreditation if a Provider has not previously been accredited by ACMSPP and revocation of accreditation if a Provider is currently ACMSPP-accredited. 

The Accreditation Council determines whether adverse action should be taken under the following circumstances:

• Findings from a site review reveal that a Provider does not meet or no longer meets two (2) or more ACMSPP Standards.
• A Provider does not come into compliance with ACMSPP Standards (e.g., address a stipulation) within the specified time frame.
• Investigation into a valid complaint indicates that ACMSPP Standards are no longer being met.
• A Provider no longer demonstrates adequate capacity to maintain and administer its programs and/or is no longer in “good standing” with national, regional, or state accreditation agencies. Accreditation Policy Effective January 1, 2019.
• A Provider falsely reports data, fails to correct misleading or inaccurate statements, and/or plagiarizes information submitted for accreditation purposes.
• A Provider fails to submit an Annual Report 
• An accredited Provider is out of compliance with ACMSPP policies (e.g., non-payment of fees). 

All the above information can be found in the Accreditation Policy.

The ACMSPP accreditation program is founded on the belief that specialized accreditation indicates to the general public and to the educational community that an accredited medical school preparation program meets a set of standards and can be trusted to deliver quality education. Specialized accreditation sets standards for programs and ensures, through the self-study process and accreditation review, the promotion of effective education and program improvement. All those involved in the process must be aware of current developments in medical school preparation; the effectiveness of the current standards, criteria, policies, and procedures; and the evidence of need for change. 

ACMSPP is committed to conducting an accreditation process that supports medical school preparation pipeline programs and is efficient, cost-effective and cost-accountable.

A vital component of ACMSPP operations relies on donated services, valued at more than $2 million annually, from volunteers serving as accreditation reviewers, program reviewers, and in governance. ACMSPP also receives financial support from a broad coalition of educational organizations committed to excellence in medical school preparation. Without such support from the field, accreditation costs would be uneconomical.

There are two main costs associated with the peer-review accreditation process:

Accreditation Review Fees and Expenses

The accreditation review by a panel of expert reviewers – review teams – assures the quality of the pipeline program. Accreditation Review Fees cover administrative support for the review, while Accreditation Review Expenses cover in-transit/travel costs of the review team. Elaborate accommodations, formal dinners, events, functions and gifts are against ACMSPP policy.

Annual Fees

Annual Fees are invoiced late spring/early summer and apply to pipeline programs (candidacy or accredited). These fees cover the costs of maintaining accreditation status and support administrative operations.