CEA Accreditation

The Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) is a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of Education, and which is a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA). This recognition means CEA-accredited institutions in the United States can gain certification to admit international students. Both English language programs and English language institutions may apply for CEA accreditation, and this includes: programs located in academic departments at a university or college (i.e. an ESL Department or Linguistics Department); programs located in non-academic units of a university or college (such as student affairs); English language institutions that exist independently of any college or university (stand-alone single-owner schools, not-for-profit organizations governed by boards, or schools that are part of larger, multi-site systems); and English language institutions that are not part of a university or college but conduct classes upon a university or college campus.

CEA maintains a set of particular quality standards, and any program or institution applying for CEA accreditation but undergo a rigorous process of evaluation to ensure it meets those standards. CEA's standards cover virtually all aspects of a school or program, including faculty, facilities and equipment, student services, the length and structure of the programs, student achievement and student complaints. CEA's main focus in creating, advancing and upholding these standards is to make sure students get the quality education they deserve.

Established: 1999
Location: Alexandria, Virginia
Web: www.cea-accredit.org
Scope: CEA is an international accreditation organization based in the USA, which accredits postsecondary English language training schools and programs in the US and internationally.