Last Update to this Section: January 2017
V. Classification of Accreditation
The final appraisal of each program is based on review of the total educational program by an evaluation site team visit and accreditation decision by the CVTEA, with consideration given to each stated objective and the Standards as listed. Classification of accreditation of a program in veterinary technology shall be in effect from the last day of the site visit until acted upon by the CVTEA. The accreditation status of each program will be published semi-annually and made available upon request.
Full Accreditation
Those programs that substantially meet all Standards of Accreditation. Programs with Full Accreditation classification may be placed on Probationary Accreditation or Accreditation Withdrawn if the program does not provide continuing evidence of progress toward meeting all Standards. A special site visit may be required prior to an accreditation decision if major changes have occurred in the program that may impact the program's ability to meet the Standards of Accreditation.
Initial Accreditation
New programs that have made significant progress towards meeting the Standards of Accreditation. The program will remain on Initial Accreditation until achieving Full Accreditation, or for a period not to exceed five years. Programs with Initial Accreditation classification may be placed on Probationary Accreditation or Accreditation Withdrawn if the program does not provide continuing evidence of progress toward meeting all Standards, or if it has been on Initial Accreditation status for five years. A special site visit may be required prior to an accreditation decision if major changes have occurred in the program that may impact the program's ability to meet the Standards of Accreditation.
Probationary Accreditation
An accreditation status that may be assigned to a program that has specific deficiencies in one or more Standards. The deficiencies are of such a nature that they can be corrected in a reasonable length of time, not to exceed two years. Prior to expiration of this prescribed period, the CVTEA may either review requested reports, request that an institutional representative appear before the CVTEA, or conduct a special site visit to determine if the deficiencies have been corrected.
If at the end of the two-year time period, deficiencies have been corrected and there is evidence to support full compliance, the Program may be granted the appropriate level of accreditation for the remainder of the accreditation cycle, as determined by the CVTEA. A program which has been fully accredited previously may only return to Full Accreditation, while a new program that had been on Initial Accreditation may be returned to Initial Accreditation for no longer than the balance of the five year maximal period for Initial Accreditation. Conversely, if at the end of the two-year time period, the program can provide reasons acceptable to the CVTEA for its inability to comply with all the Standards, the CVTEA may by majority vote extend Probationary Accreditation for good cause for a further period not to exceed one year. Interim measures must be taken to ensure education of technician students. If the reasons for non-compliance do not have merit, the CVTEA must take immediate action to place the Program on Accreditation Withdrawn.
Administrative Probation
An accreditation status assigned by the CVTEA administratively for a maximum of 90 days when an institution/program is not in compliance with 1 or more of the following administrative requirements to maintain accreditation:
- Paying accreditation-related fees and charges;
- Submitting reports or other required information;
- Agreeing to a reasonable on-site evaluation visit date at or near the time established by the CVTEA.
Administrative Probation is an accreditation category and is not subject to appeal. Although the institution/program is recognized and listed as accredited during the period of administrative probation, failure to completely remedy the situation by the date specified in the administrative probationary letter may result in Accreditation Withdrawn. Complete resolution of the situation cited in the administrative probationary letter will satisfy the administrative requirements and result in restoration of the accredited status. Penalty fees may be assessed a program on Administrative Probation accreditation.
Terminal Accreditation
Terminal Accreditation will apply to programs that are voluntarily discontinuing. Students enrolled at the time a program is terminally accredited will be considered graduates of an accredited program when they complete the curriculum.
Accreditation Withdrawn
Previously accredited programs that have had their accreditation withdrawn will be classified as Accreditation Withdrawn. Graduates of the program at the time of withdrawn accreditation will not be considered graduates of an AVMA CVTEA-accredited program.
Graduates of programs classified as Full, Initial, Probationary, Administrative Probation, or Terminal Accreditation are all graduates of an AVMA-accredited program in veterinary technology. Graduates of a program classified as Accreditation Withdrawn are not graduates of an AVMA CVTEA-accredited program.
Procedures for Programs with Classification of Terminal Accreditation
1. Closure of a program must be reported to the CVTEA immediately. Programs must complete a Terminal Accreditation Plan (TAP) (Email AVMA staff at jhorvath@avma.org for Terminal Accreditation Plan Template) within 30 days of the announcement to close. This report must document how the program will continue to comply with the accreditation standards. Requests for terminal accreditation will be submitted to the CVTEA within 20 business days of receipt of the TAP.
2. The classification of Terminal Accreditation is intended to protect enrolled students from the disadvantage of graduating from a non-accredited program and may continue no longer than necessary to protect the educational interests of such students.
3. During the period of Terminal Accreditation, a special site visit may be required to determine whether the program is meeting the conditions for terminal accreditation. The site visit and information furnished in writing by the program will be considered by the CVTEA to determine if Terminal Accreditation should continue.
4. Following graduation of enrolled students of programs with Terminal Accreditation, accreditation will be withdrawn.
Terminal Accreditation designates those programs that are voluntarily discontinuing, have met the requirements for Terminal Accreditation as set by the CVTEA but are not able to address other essentials that address continuity of a program such as graduate surveys, long term support for the program, etc.
The CVTEA may grant Terminal Accreditation if:
A) The program or institution notifies the CVTEA of its intent to discontinue and requests consideration for Terminal Accreditation status.
B) A Terminal Accreditation Plan is submitted within 30 days of the program's notification of the CVTEA of the intent to terminate the program to describe how the academic quality and integrity of the educational program will be maintained, as described by the applicable CVTEA requirements, for the currently enrolled students and the program commits resources adequate to complete the education of currently enrolled students.
C) No additional students are admitted to the program.
Once Terminal Accreditation is granted:
A) The institutional president (or chief officer) and program director are notified immediately by the CVTEA in writing of the classification status and the reasons therefore.
B) The CVTEA will notify appropriate licensing agencies and veterinary medical associations of actions taken.
Terminal Accreditation is maintained provided the program :
A) Submits an interim report on the progression of the plan for program closure 60 days prior to each CVTEA meeting.
B) The submitted interim report indicates compliance with applicable CVTEA requirements.
C) No additional students are admitted to the program.
Terminal Accreditation will be withdrawn if:
A) The program or institution fails to communicate with the CVTEA on the status of the program closure as required.
B) Applicable CVTEA requirements are not met during closure of the program.
C) Additional students are enrolled after the announcement of the intent to close the program.
Procedures for Programs with Classification of Accreditation Withdrawn
1. Major changes in the program must be reported to the CVTEA within thirty days of implementation. This report must document how the program will continue to comply with the accreditation standards.
2. The classification of accreditation withdrawn is assigned because enrolled students have not been protected from the disadvantage of graduating from a non-accredited program. Students enrolled in a program with the accreditation withdrawn will not be graduates of an accredited program.
A program will have accreditation withdrawn if:
A) A program has been on Probationary Accreditation for two years with no significant progress to report.
B) An institution is voluntarily closing its doors and does not meet the requirements for Terminal Accreditation.
C) A program at Full, Initial, and/or Administrative Probation that have matriculated all existing students.
When accreditation is withdrawn:
A) The institutional president (or chief officer) and program director are notified immediately by the CVTEA in writing of the classification status and the reasons therefore. The CVTEA will notify appropriate licensing agencies and veterinary medical associations of actions taken.
B) Not later than 30 days after the date of the assignment of accreditation withdrawn, the program may initiate appeal proceedings as described in the Accreditation Policies and Procedures of the AVMA CVTEA.
If a program wishes to regain accreditation, the program must:
A) Submit and application for accreditation.
B) Pay all applicable fees.
C) Commit resources adequate to complete the education of currently enrolled students.
D) Undergo a site visit to determine whether the program is meeting the standards of accreditation as stated in the Accreditation Policies and Procedures of the AVMA CVTEA. The site visit and information furnished in writing by the program will be considered by the CVTEA to determine if accreditation can be reinstated.