Commission on Opticianry Accreditation

Profile of Accredited Programs, 2020-2021:

Accredited U.S. and non-U.S. Programs:

401

Students

17 Total Degree-Granting:

16	Public
1	Private Nonprofit
n/a	Private For-Profit

2 Total Non-Degree-Granting:

2	Public
0	Private Nonprofit
0	Private For-Profit

Recognition Status as of 2020-2021:

Recognized by: Council for Higher Education Accreditation

Range of Accreditation Activity:

The Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA) accredits two-year Opticianry degree programs in the United States that are sponsored by post-secondary institutions accredited by agencies recognized by the Department of Education or CHEA. (2019)

Sponsoring Organization:

n/a

International Accreditation Activity:

0	Non-U.S. institutions or programs operating outside the U.S.
0	U.S. institutions or programs operating outside the U.S.
No	Organization evaluates credentials or degrees from outside the U.S.

Operating Information for Accrediting Unit Only:

Budget:

$44,000

$n/a	Direct support from any sponsoring organization
$n/a	In-kind support from any sponsoring organization

Employees and Volunteers:

n/a	Full-time Employees
1	Part-time Employees
18	Volunteers - Served 2020-2021

Composition of Decision-Making Body

11 volunteers: 4 appointed from the NAO, 4 appointed from the OAA, 2 appointed from NFOS and 1 public member.

Profile of 2020-2021 Accreditation Activities :

Frequency of Comprehensive Reviews and Required Follow-Up: Comprehensive reviews are every 6 years, with required follow-up each year

Frequency of Comprehensive Review of Accreditation Standards: Standards are reviewed every 6 years.

Summary of 2020-2021 Formal Actions:

1	Initial Candidacy or Preaccreditation Granted
0	Initial Candidacy or Preaccreditation Denied
1	Initial Accreditation Granted
0	Initial Accreditation Denied
0	Accreditation Continued Following Comprehensive Review
0	Accreditation Continued Following Comprehensive Review with Required Follow-up
1	Notice or Warning
0	Probation
0	Show Cause
0	Accreditation Terminated or Removed
0	Actions under Appeal
0	Other