Mission

The Accreditation Council for Cooperative Education has been established as an independent entity with its primary mission the recognition of the achievement and maintenance of standards for programs of cooperative education.

The Attributes of Cooperative Education Programs, based on a structural model that reflects the founding principles and distinctive definition of cooperative education, provide a set of standards to which a significant number of programs of cooperative education have subscribed.

The Attributes provide a conceptual framework that advances cooperative education as a discipline and are the foundation on which the accreditation process is established. Programs of cooperative education can now be accredited based on their adherence to this model. It is recognized, however, that any process will evolve, and elaboration of this model will be no exception.

Purpose

The purpose of this organization is to serve the public through the establishment and maintenance of criteria and procedures for accrediting cooperative education programs, to promote the value of such accreditation and to share information gained through the accreditation process that will enhance the field of cooperative education.

The specific objectives of the organization are:

1. To establish and maintain an accreditation process for programs in Cooperative Education based, at least partially, on The Attributes of Cooperative Education Programs.
2. To effectively review cooperative education programs seeking the accreditation distinction.
3. To provide information and training to raise the standards of individual cooperative education programs as well as cooperative education as an experience-based learning model.
4. To enhance and promote understanding of the significance and value of participation in an accredited cooperative education program.