American Councils
Accreditation & Certification
Learn about American Councils and our mission
The American Council for Continuing Higher Education (ACCHE) is an independent international organization dedicated to advancing continuing higher education, enhancing the quality of professional training and education, and supporting educational, academic, and training institutions worldwide in accordance with international best practices and standards.
The Council works to build a modern educational system that contributes to elevating human competencies, promoting lifelong learning, and enabling institutions and individuals to keep pace with scientific, professional, and technological developments across various disciplines.
The Council offers a comprehensive range of services including institutional accreditation, program accreditation, professional memberships, evaluation and quality assurance, academic consulting, institutional development, capacity building, and the organization of conferences, forums, and scientific programs — in addition to supporting local and international partnerships between universities, colleges, institutes, training centers, and professional organizations.
The Council is committed to the principles of integrity, transparency, independence, neutrality, and professionalism, and believes that continuing education represents the fundamental pillar for achieving sustainable development and building knowledge and innovation-driven societies.
The Council confirms that all of its services, accreditations, certificates, and memberships are granted in accordance with its internal regulations and bylaws, and do not, under any circumstances, constitute a substitute for government accreditations, legal licenses, or official recognitions granted by the competent governmental authorities in each country, unless local law provides otherwise.
The mission of the American Council for Continuing Higher Education is to elevate the quality of continuing higher education and professional training at the international level, through developing quality standards, promoting a culture of academic and institutional accreditation, supporting innovation in education, and enabling educational and training institutions to achieve excellence and sustainability.
We seek to:
The institutional values of the American Council for Continuing Higher Education form the foundation upon which all of its work, decisions, and initiatives are based, reflecting its firm commitment to delivering educational, academic, and professional services in accordance with the highest international standards.
We strive to achieve the highest levels of quality and professionalism in all our services, with a commitment to continuous improvement and institutional innovation.
We operate with the utmost honesty, credibility, and clarity in all our dealings, and adhere to the principles of fairness, neutrality, and independence in decision-making.
We believe quality is the fundamental pillar of sustainable education, and we work to spread a culture of quality and ensure compliance with recognized academic and professional standards.
We keep pace with global developments in education and technology, and promote innovation and creativity in developing programs, services, and educational solutions.
We support the concept of continuing education as both a right and a responsibility, and encourage professional development and the acquisition of knowledge and skills at every stage of life.
We are committed to performing our responsibilities with efficiency and professionalism, respecting systems, regulations, and laws, and promoting ethical practices in all our work.
We believe that cooperation with local, regional, and international universities, institutions, and organizations contributes to the exchange of expertise and the achievement of sustainable development and academic excellence.
We respect cultural, intellectual, and linguistic diversity, and believe in equality and equal opportunity without discrimination, while providing an inclusive educational and professional environment for all.
We work to adopt sustainable institutional practices that contribute to the development of education and the building of human capabilities in support of economic and social development.
We are committed to contributing to community service through educational, training, and research initiatives that contribute to the development of individuals, institutions, and communities.
We strive to become a leading international reference in the field of continuing higher education, by adopting global best practices and promoting a culture of excellence and innovation.
We build our relationships with our partners, members, and clients on the basis of mutual respect, trust, and credibility, fostering long-term cooperation and mutual benefit.
These values represent the ethical and institutional framework that governs all the activities of the American Council for Continuing Higher Education, and serve as a fundamental reference in planning, decision-making, and service delivery — ensuring the fulfillment of its mission, vision, and strategic objectives in accordance with the highest standards of quality and professionalism.
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