by Christopher C. Walck, Associate Chief Executive Officer/Director of Accreditation

Standard I, Criterion 7 requires an institution to establish an advisory committee that is comprised of industry representatives and employers from the fields for which the school is providing training. The Committee is required to review the institution based on four specific areas. Specifically, the criterion states the following.

At least once a year the institution has an advisory committee meeting which includes, but is not limited to, industry representatives and employers from the fields for which training is provided by the school. The institution's advisory committee may discuss such topics as

a. educational programs;
b. facilities, supplies and equipment;
c. completion, licensure and placement rates;
d. student support services.

(Refer to Institutional Effectiveness: Advisory Committee Guidelines.)

What are the most common reasons a limitation is cited under Criterion 7?

1. The school has not established an advisory committee or the committee has not met for several years and only recently met a few months before the visit.

2. The advisory committee may be comprised of only the school's staff and/or several non-industry related members.

3. The school may have an advisory committee established, however, the school may not have met or solicited feedback from the committee members within the last year.

4. The school may have held an advisory committee meeting or solicited feedback, however, the school has no documentation to support this fact.

What is the purpose of an advisory committee?

The Commission established Criterion 7 in order for the school to seek opinions from an outside group to review and comment on the school's educational programs, facilities, supplies, equipment, outcome rates, and student support services. The Committee should consider whether the school is meeting its stated objectives, and if not, suggest ways that the school can strengthen its educational programs and student support services to meet its objectives and current industry standards.

Does the advisory committee need to meet in person as a group?

The advisory committee is not required to meet together as a group, however the school must show that the committee members have reviewed items a-d of the criterion and submitted written comments regarding these areas.

How many people must serve on the school's Advisory Committee?

There is no specific number of committee members required, however, the committee must be comprised of "industry representatives and employers from the fields for which training is provided." Since the criterion is plural, you should have more than one individual representing the categories of industry representatives and employers.

Hopefully this article has answered your questions regarding NACCAS' requirements for establishing and using an advisory committee. If not, please refer to NACCAS' "Institutional Effectiveness: Advisory Committee Guidelines" located in the 2002-2003 NACCAS Handbook on page 179 or by contacting the NACCAS office directly.