The Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) has continued the accreditation of Troy University’s English as a Second Language program for three years.

ACCET’s Accrediting Commission voted to continue the program’s accreditation during its December meeting. Founded in 1974 for the purpose of improving continuing education and training, ACCET has been officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Education since 1978 as a “reliable authority.”

The accreditation process includes four major components: the development and implementation of institutional and program goals and objectives that focus upon a continuing education mission; a comprehensive, analytic self-evaluation review and report by the institution; an on-site professional peer review to evaluate the adequacy and accuracy of the self-evaluation; and, an independent review and decision by the Accrediting Commission as an assessment of the institution’s commitment to and compliance with ACCET standards, policies and procedures

“The Accrediting Commission commends Troy University for its efforts toward meeting the Standards for Accreditation reflected in the on-site evaluation team reports and subsequent interim report,” said Dr. William V. Larkin, executive director.

TROY’s ESL program provides high-quality instruction and orientation to U.S. culture to international students, visitors and residents who are non-native speakers of English. The ESL program focuses on preparing students for academic study at Troy University and also offers language and cultural opportunities to groups and individuals outside of the academic framework.

“This action continues a previous three-year accreditation received by the program,” said Lance Noe, TROY’s ESL director. “The governing body found six strengths in the program, an achievement of which we are very proud.”

Sohail Agboatwala, associate vice chancellor of international operations, said the accreditation is representative of the program’s growth and continued improvement.

“The ACCET accreditation serves as an external validation of what we know to be a quality college prep program for non-native English speakers,” Agboatwala said. “The three-year accreditation in lieu of the traditional annual accreditation we have received in the past, along with six noted program strengths which has increased from one, demonstrates the staff’s commitment to ongoing improvements.”