We have accreditation. The process will continue after we graduate our first class in 6 months.
See:
http://www.atsu.edu/asdoh/about/accreditation.htm
"The dental education program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 312.440.4653 or at 211 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611."
GavinC, I was wondering if you've heard anything further about the accreditation of ASDOH on your end? I've read over everything you've written about and done some research on my own, but wondering if you have any updated news. It's apparent that you (and all current students at ASDOH for that matter) have nothing to fear about the accreditation seeing as everyone has enrolled during the initial accreditation process. BUT, for those entering in 2007, this accreditation detour could have significant consequences. I read somewhere a while ago how you stated that it is merely a filing problem alluding to the fact that the curriculum in not an issue. But, after contacting CODA directly, this was the response I received from
Rosemary Monehen, MS, Lead Manager, CODA/Predoctoral Dental Education. This sounds like it might be more than just a 'filing issue'. I hope for everyone's sake it's not, but I'm interested to hear if you have updated info.
From Rosemary Monehen:
"At its July 28, 2006 meeting, the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) considered a progress report as a result of the 2005 site visit and a report of major change regarding the ICSP Program submitted by the dental education program sponsored by A. T. Still University's Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (ASDOH). Following careful consideration of both reports, the CODA adopted a resolution changing the program's accreditation status from "initial accreditation" to "initial accreditation with intent to withdraw January 2007." The CODA also directed that a special focused site visit occur to the program prior to October 31, 2006. That site visit was conducted on October 3-6, 2006. The Commission will consider the site visit report at its January 25, 2007 meeting.
The number of Accreditation Standards that the program was found to be in non-compliance with and the details surrounding the identified deficiencies can not be made public by the Commission, but the ASDOH can provide that information to students, faculty and the public. The Accreditation Standards for Dental Education Programs document is attached for your reference.
The CODA does have a policy that protects the interests of the student in the event that accreditation is withdrawn. The policy states, in part,: "In the event the Commission withdraws accreditation from a program, students currently enrolled in the program at the time accreditation is withdrawn and who successfully complete the program, will be considered graduates of an accredited program. Student who enroll in a program after the accreditation has been withdrawn will not be considered graduates of a Commission-accredited program." The entire policy can be can be found on page 49 of the attached "Evaluation Policies and Procedures" document in the paragraph titled "Withdraw."
I hope this information is helpful. Thank you.
Rosemary"
