The Council on Occupational Education Accreditation

History

The Council on Occupational Education (hereinafter referred to as the Council or COE) came into existence initially in 1971 as the Commission on Occupational Education Institutions (COEI) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), a regional accrediting association that serves institutions in an 11-state region. Operating as a unit of SACS, COEI provided accreditation services to postsecondary occupational education institutions located, with a few special exceptions, in the SACS region.

In preparation for assuming a national scope, the Council was incorporated as a non-profit educational organization under laws of the State of Georgia in June 1994. At the end of June 1995, the Council became a fully operational agency when all assets (staff, physical resources, and financial resources) and the membership of COEI were transferred from SACS to the Council. The Commission composed of 19 members functions as the governing board and the decision-making body for all accreditation actions of the Council.

Throughout its history, the Council and its predecessor agency have been recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a reliable authority on the quality of education offered by the institutions it has accredited. Its current scope of recognition is as a national institutional accrediting agency for the accreditation of non-degree-granting and applied associate degree-granting postsecondary occupational education institutions.

Vision

Our vision is to be the standard for education that works.

By 2030, the Council on Occupational Education will be the premier accreditation agency for impactful occupational education by:

  • Emphasizing quality outcomes as our top priority.
  • Championing student success in programs, the workforce, and the community.
  • Advocating collectively at both state and federal levels for advancing occupational education.
  • Cultivating innovation to adapt and thrive in evolving educational landscapes.
  • Increasing value to improve institutional performance by fostering collaboration and promoting compliance and institutional success through member development. 

Mission

Our mission is to uphold quality, integrity, and continuous improvement in occupational education, meeting the evolving needs of students, employers, and communities.

Core Values

The Council on Occupational Education embeds the following values into its daily operations: fostering a culture of excellence, ethical conduct, and continuous improvement within technical education accreditation.

  • Ethical – We take an ethical approach that guides all interactions, decisions, and processes. Our membership and staff are unwavering in the collective commitment to being trustworthy and maintaining the highest standards of honesty and professionalism.
  • Transparent – We clearly communicate accreditation processes, decisions, and policies, ensuring information is accessible and understandable.
  • Accountable – We foster a culture of accountability by ensuring our operations, including accreditation decisions and communication with constituents, are transparent and accurate. This value also extends to the institutions we accredit, holding them to the same standards of responsibility and clarity.
  • Responsive – The Council is accessible and responsive to the needs and feedback of constituents. It acts promptly to address concerns, adapting its approaches to better serve the evolving requirements of educational institutions while adhering to the principles defined in Council policies.
  • Innovative – We foster an innovative culture by continuously exploring and implementing progressive approaches, identifying emerging requirements and developing strategies to ensure our practices remain effective, relevant, and responsive to the evolving landscape of higher education.
  • Collaborative – We prioritize collaboration as a core value, fostering partnerships among diverse entities. The Council actively engages with educational institutions, policymakers, and team members to collectively enhance the quality and effectiveness of occupational education through accreditation.
  • Inclusive – We uphold inclusion as a fundamental principle, ensuring that the Council’s accreditation processes acknowledge and respect the diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and needs of all individuals and entities involved in higher education.

These values and purposes form the foundation of our commitment to excellence in career and technical education.

7840 Roswell Road
Building 300, Suite 325
Atlanta, GA 30350Â
Telephone (Local): 770-396-3898
Telephone (Toll-Free): 800-917-2081

Dadeschools  Accreditation Page    |   The Council on Occupational Education (COE)

TRANSLATE »