Council for Higher Education Accreditation

Overview

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is a U.S. nonprofit organization focused exclusively on higher education accreditation and quality assurance. It is a national advocate and institutional voice for promoting academic quality through accreditation.

History

CHEA was established in 1996 as a successor to earlier nongovernmental associations that coordinated the U.S. accreditation process for higher education. Its predecessors included the Federation of Regional Accrediting Commissions of Higher Education (FRACHE) and the National Commission on Accrediting, which merged in 1974 to form the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation (COPA). COPA dissolved in 1993 due to internal tensions and changes in the higher education landscape, including increased scrutiny from Congress. Following COPA's dissolution, the Council for Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation (CORPA) served as an intermediate body before CHEA's formation[3].

Function

CHEA is an association of approximately 3,000 degree-granting colleges and universities. It recognizes 60 institutional and programmatic accrediting organizations that meet its standards for academic quality, improvement, and accountability[1]. These accrediting organizations provide information to the public about the institutions and programs they accredit[1]. CHEA maintains a database to facilitate searching for accredited schools and programs[3].

Structure

CHEA is led by a board of directors composed of college and university presidents, institutional representatives, and members of the public. As of 2025, Dottie King, President of Independent Colleges of Indiana, serves as the chair of the CHEA Board of Directors[3].

Activities

CHEA launched the CHEA International Quality Group (CIQG) in 2012 to advance understanding of international quality assurance and promote high-quality higher education globally[3]. CIQG provides a database of recognized accreditation agencies worldwide.

CHEA has also expressed opposition to certain accreditation reform efforts by the U.S. Department of Education, emphasizing its role in maintaining non-governmental oversight of higher education accreditation[3].

Relationship to Government

CHEA recognition differs from the recognition by the U.S. Secretary of Education, which is required for Title IV student financial aid eligibility and loan guarantees. States like Oregon recognize accrediting organizations authorized by both CHEA and the U.S. Department of Education, while those recognized only by CHEA may operate under state oversight[3].