CEA accredits English language programs and independent English language schools outside the United States. The process of accreditation is the same.  The self-study, on-site review, and final accreditation decisions are all based on the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions. These standards were initially developed for the U.S. market. In 2007, through a project funded through the TOEFL Board, the standards were revised to address the cultural environment of the program or school seeking accreditation outside the U.S. The resulting publication CEA Standards for International Reviews is available for download here.

What does accreditation by CEA outside the U.S. entail?

Policies and procedures for accreditation of non-U.S. sites parallel those developed for the U.S., with a consideration for cultural differences in the international setting. Briefly, to be accredited by CEA, a program must

1. Meet eligibility requirements
2. Submit an application form
3. Host a preliminary visit (only if required based on review of submitted materials)
4. Attend a self-study workshop
5. Develop and submit a plan for how it will conduct its self-study
6. Submit a comprehensive self-study that addresses CEA's 52 standards
7. Have a site visit by a team of peer reviewers who verify the contents of the self-study
8. Be reviewed by the 13 commissioners who make the final accreditation decision

These steps are explained in more detail in the document, Policies and Procedures for International Accreditation.

Which international programs or schools are currently accredited?

Currently, the Foundation English program at the Petroleum Institute of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the Foundation Program English Department at Qatar University, the Language Center at Al Akhawayn University in Morocco, the Intensive English Program at the American University of Kuwait, and CALLS at the Hellenic American Union in Athens, Greece. Others currently in the process of seeking accreditation are in Egypt, Colombia, Mongolia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

What should I do if our international English language program or school is interested in seeking accreditation?

Print out a copy of the Policies and Procedures for International Accreditation which explains the various steps in the accreditation process for international sites. You should also print out and study the entire CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions to determine how applicable they are to your program. Then also look at the rest of the CEA web site to have a clearer idea about accreditation. If you feel you are ready to apply, download and complete the Application/Eligibility Form—International. If you have questions, please contact us