Competence & Responsibility

 

Accreditation Council

The accreditation procedure in the Federal Republic of Germany is under the lead management of the Accreditation Council . The responsibility is not limited to one state but expands through all federal states. The Council is composed of 14 members who are appointed by the president of the Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs and the German Rectors' Conference. The Accreditation Council took up its activities in July of 1999, with the essential task to approve accreditation agencies rather then degree programs. This decentralised structure on the basis of general central regulations contributes to a greater flexibility and variety.

The Accreditation Council, however, defines the conditions for the accreditation of the agencies and the degree programs, and coordinates and controls the accreditation procedure. With this, the agencies have to report to the Accreditation Council with regard to the accredited degree programs.

Accreditation Agencies

At the moment, there are ten certified accreditation agencies in Germany that do not depend on the universities or economic and professional organisations. In order to be accredited by the Council, the agencies must establish proof that they are non-profit organisations and that they have the necessary infrastructure, as well as a traceable and transparent accreditation procedure.

The agencies use auditors who are recommended by the respective faculty days and faculty conferences, by members of economic associations and central associations of social partners, which ensures subject-related competence. The auditors of the agencies are prepared for this task through periodic seminars .